Improved Southcote community facilities a step closer

I've been getting a clear message from Southcote's residents has been quite clear - they want the old Happy Prospect site to be used and they want improved facilities to benefit the whole community in Southcote. A potential solution is close which could enable local people to work with the council to really improve community facilities on Coronation Square, while at the same time providing much needed affordable housing for rent.

I've been working with ward councillors, John, Pete and our wonderful Mayor, Deborah Edwards on this since we took back control of the council, but it's been something they have been championing for years. There are still a number of significant hurdles, including gaining planning approval, but we are getting there.

Local residents will be at the heart of the next stage - not just shaping what a proposed community facility would look like, but working with the council to deliver a facility that Southcote can be proud of. I'd encourage residents to get involved. Watch this space for the next opportunity to get involved!

Council press release:

Community facilities in Southcote could receive a significant boost if proposals for the possible redevelopment of the former Happy Prospect pub site are given the go-ahead.

The Happy Prospect pub was demolished earlier this year and a new use needs to be found for the site. The owner, PMC Construction, submitted a planning application for a 100% affordable housing scheme, which was then deferred at Planning Applications Committee to enable further discussions with the owner.

Before the planning application returns to committee however, Reading Borough Council's Cabinet on October 31st. will consider a proposal for the Council to support a 16 unit affordable housing scheme with a £280,000 social housing grant. If approved by Cabinet, funding for affordable housing would be secured.

Local residents have been consistent in their calls for improved community facilities in the area to support all age groups. The Council has received two petitions in relation to this site that call for community facilities in Southcote to be enhanced.

If planning permission for the redevelopment of this site is subsequently granted by Planning Applications Committee, any permission is likely to require appropriate mitigation for the loss of the former pub. This could involve securing a contribution towards enhancing existing community facilities elsewhere in Coronation Square, for example.

The Cabinet report on October 31 will also include proposals on the key role of local residents in determining what sort of enhanced community facility they would like for their local area, through a series of planned consultation events.

The possible future use of the site was discussed at a public meeting in July this year led by Rachel Eden, Lead Councillor for Housing and Neighbourhoods at Reading Borough Council.

Councillor Eden said: 'The message from Southcote's residents has been quite clear - they want the land to be used and they want improved facilities to benefit the whole community in Southcote. This potential solution could enable local people to work with the council to really improve community facilities on Coronation Square, while at the same time providing much needed affordable housing for rent. There are still a number of significant hurdles, including gaining planning approval, but this is a step forward in the process.

'Local residents will be at the heart of the next stage - not just shaping what a proposed community facility would look like, but working with the council to deliver a facility that Southcote can be proud of. I'd encourage residents to get involved.'

A separate Cabinet Report on October 31st will consider the release of the existing covenants on the site and access issues which would make the revised scheme a possibility.

The creation of additional affordable housing in Southcote - which would include four much-needed family-sized units - would have the added benefit of reducing the need to place homeless applicants in temporary accommodation, which in turn would reduce pressure on the public purse.
Following on from July's public meeting, an additional public meeting entitled 'Working Together for Southcote' will take place on Monday November 14th at the Southcote Children's/Community Centre on Coronation Square. It will run between 7pm and 9pm and look at how Reading Borough Council and local residents can work together to take forward improvements to community facilities in the area.

#Tories are creating homelessness so #Labour councils need to act

We know that the Tory led government policies are forecast to increase homelessness substantially, with national forecasts showing scary figures. Here in Reading we are already seeing an increase in homelessness and we are worried about what the new year will bring.

As an administration the Labour group is committed to standing up for Reading and for residents, and one of the most vulnerable groups is rough sleepers. We already have a strong partnership with excellent voluntary sector groups who we fund to provide us with an appropriate mix of hostel places, but we know that we need to up our game to meet the challenge.

Today we are announcing a consultation on proposals that will increase the number of beds and also ensure a more streamlined, easy to navigate pathway for both the person who finds themselves homeless and for the agencies involved.

We've worked in partnership with the voluntary sector involved to come up with these proposals - and they also save the council money, essential when we are facing stringent budget cuts.

Labour councils are dealing with tougher funding cuts than Conservative councils, because of the way the government has dealt the cards. We are the opposition and we got get to change that. But we can play our hands as best we can - our responsibility is to make the best of it for the people we represent. There will be hard choices, but by sticking to our Labour values we can make a difference. It's a noticeable contrast to last year's Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition who simply made cuts without involving those affected and hoped that a solution would appear later.

I've seen on the political blogosphere the debate about whether we should get out and protest or whether we should focus just on elections. Frankly I think it's a pointless debate and a distraction: of course protest movements can work, and can change the decisions that people in power make but it's much easier to do that when you have people in positions of power who share your values. For me, there are some things I will march about (the NHS being one thing) but my elected role is where I personally feel I can make a difference.

David Cameron wants councillors to be community champions, and I'm afraid that is what he's going to get: Labour councillors who will stand up for residents and do what they can to reduce the impact of his destructive policies on their neighbours.

Reading Borough Council press release:

Accommodation for homeless people in Reading is set to increase, under Council proposals aimed at delivering better value for money.

As a result of the Council's review of its Homeless Pathway scheme, the number of beds available for homeless people in the borough will go up by 24 to 224.

This will mean more places for couples, women, people with pets and those who might need longer-term supported housing.

The proposals, which include the continuation of the recently formed access panel which assesses people's needs and ensures they are directed towards the most appropriate support, have already been agreed between the Council and individual key providers. The proposals as a package will now be discussed with other public bodies and voluntary groups for their feedback. The Council and providers will be consulting with service users and staff.

The Homeless Pathway refers to the help the Council and its partners provide for vulnerable single adults and childless couples who need to be housed. There are three levels of housing with support and services are designed to help people to develop the skills they need for independent living.

Supported housing services for single homeless adults are currently delivered by six accommodation-based support providers. These services, together with St Mungo's Street Outreach Team, floating support services and the Council's Housing Needs Team, provide a valuable network that supports people to find places to live.

The Council has recently undertaken a review of homelessness provision and how it is delivered across Reading. This has involved working closely with key partners to identify ways in which the services can be delivered more efficiently, and are better tailored to meeting Reading's needs. As a result, not only will there be extra beds, but improved efficiencies in the way accommodation is provided will generate savings worth £215,000.

None of these proposed changes will result in the closure of any services providing accommodation for homeless people.

The final decision on how Reading's Homeless Pathway service will run in the future will be taken by the Council's Cabinet in late November, taking account of feedback from this consultation process.

Rachel Eden, Lead Councillor for Housing and Neighbourhoods, said: 'This review has involved taking a long, hard look at opportunities to get the very best outcomes, particularly for those people with more complex support needs. We are pleased by how well our partners have worked with us in developing these proposals.

"With increases in homelessness predicted nationally, here in Reading we are doing all we can to support residents who find themselves homeless."

New Whitley park nursery in #rdg - stunning!

After the questionable excitement of full council yesterday it was good to get back out in the community today, I took an early lunch break to attend the opening of the new Whitely Park nursery. It was a great occasion and it was excellent to have the Mayor, John Ennis (who is - as well as being lead councillor for Education and children's services - is a former chair of governors), representatives of the Rotary and Lions clubs, RBC staff and local vicar Rev'd Vernon Orr all attend to show their support and be publicly thanked for the work that has gone in over a number of years to get this built. All 3 of Whitley's councillors were also there, and we enjoyed catching up with people and it was very kind of the school to pay tribute our colleague Jim Hanley who was always so passionately supportive of both the school and the young people of Whitley. The school have also put a bench up in memory of him in the school grounds.

Personally I was totally blown away by the nursery facilities. I have literally not seen another nursery building that comes close to the quality and welcoming feel. I would imagine that the children would be looking foward to Monday. We took a few photos and more will go up on Whitleynews.org but thought I'd put this one up of Kelly Edwards for now:

The council's press release is below:

Parents and pupils of Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School will join the Mayor of Reading to formally open the school's new nursery facilities on Wednesday (Oct 19).

The new 'early years' building includes four new learning spaces, a speech and language facility, multi-use professional space, a conference room and an early years library, as well as an outdoors play and learning area.

Wednesday's opening is the culmination of years of planning and hard work byschool staff and Reading Borough Council. The old nursery building has been demolished and the front of the school also has a new face following the transformation, designed by architects from Hampshire County Council and created by builders Morgan Sindell.

Whitely Park Head Ann Tanner said: 'Everyone at Whitley Park is thrilled to have this new space. Children, parents, staff and Governors are overwhelmingly delighted with the new building and we are thrilled to provide such great provision for our youngest children in the heart of Whitley. It is a dream come true.'

John Ennis, Reading's Lead Councillor for Education and Children's Services, said: 'The new building will provide fantastic facilities for young children in Whitley. Theschool already provides a fantastic start for young children and these new facilities will only enhance that.'

"We need to talk" - at regular forums

Last year in order to save the cost of a few hours of overtime the Conservative and Liberal Democrats voted to abolish the consultative forums from the access forum to the sports and arts forums.

I assume at least this was the intention, rather than not wanting to discuss matters of importance with the people most affected. However it clearly wasn't the intention.

Now of course the structures that were in place weren't perfect and in some cases needed an update or refresh, so we've moved to re-establish these forums and in some cases their format and membership has been refreshed - in consultation with the people who make up those interest groups. We've saved money to fund this by having some internal meetings, like the Labour group meetings, no longer minuted by a paid council officer. We still have minutes but they are taken by a councillor.

A extract from press release from the Labour party below gives some examples:

"Lead Councillor for Community Care Mike Orton held a consultative meeting for older people on 9 September, about 100 people came and said they wanted to have a real say in Council decisions affecting them, so Mike Orton is proposing to the Council meeting on 18 October the formation of a new Older People’s Working Group to take this forward.

At the same Council meeting and following similar pressure from a reconvened Access Forum in July, Cllr. Pete Ruhemann will be proposing that the Forum be renamed the Access & Disabilities Working Group with new and expanded Terms of Reference.

There was a very positive and productive first meeting of the Arts Forum, chaired by Cllr. Sarah Hacker, on 13 September and it was decided the forum will have a relaxed agenda going forward with talks, meetings held in various venues and a chance to share events and information within the arts community of Reading.

Cllr. Paul Gittings has held a first meeting of the reconvened Sports Development Forum and further meetings are planned leading up to the Olympics 2012. Cllr. Rachel Eden has chaired two meetings of the Safer Reading Neighbourhood Action Forum, attended by NAG chairs, Council officers and senior police officers, and working on the reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour.

The Ethnic Minorities Forum has also been reconvened and is working towards a new structure for the future; a special meeting of the Green City and Open Spaces Forum is being planned; and the Transport Users’ Forum is now meeting for an hour before each meeting of the Traffic Management Advisory Panel which makes recommendations to Cabinet.

Cllr. Hartley says: “Since forming the new administration, Labour has been determined to listen to and work with different stakeholder groups and make sure their voices were heard, especially in these difficult times. In contrast to last year's coalition, we’ve been developing new and innovative ways of making the Council work better with local people.”

The highest unemployment figures in my adult life

What a waste of talent and people's lives.

Particularly depressing to see so many young people unable to find work.  It is no time for complacency from the government.  It's tough out here, whether you work in the private sector, public sector or are self employed.  I was coming home from a meeting and in the car were 3 of us in those different 'groups' (yes car sharing to Labour party meetings, we are socialists after all).  We are all worried about our jobs.  Reading is one of the places that is less affected so far.

It feels to me very much like things felt in the early 1990s but with the added 'bonus' of a government that is so right wing it is seeking to destroy the NHS.

It's time for everyone in the Labour movement and who sympathises to unite to discredit this truly awful Tory government, and the Libdems 'aiding and abetting' them

Council cuts greenouse case emissions by 8.4%

I was very pleased to see this report showing hte progress that hte council is continuing to make  reduce carbon emissions.  Organisations that signed up to 1010 had to commit to a 3% cut so getting 8.4% is really good news.  The sustainability team at the council are really showing what a difference they can make but so are other staff, as the reductions have been across the organisation.

The council's administration is comitted to continuing with this, both through the investment in solar panels including through improving continuing to improve insultation in council properties, which is afterall good for residents as well - especially with the ruinous increases in fuel bills that we are seeing.  We're also looking at ways to continue to support other organisations and individuals - including through the excellent 'solar schools' program.


Press release below:

Reading Borough Council has cut the amount of greenhouse gas emissions it produces by nearly 8.4% in just one year, slashing its energy bills in the process.  The Council was one of many local authorities nationwide to put its name to the 10:10 challenge last year. The aim of the challenge was for organisations and individuals to work towards making a ten per cent cut in their carbon emissions in 2010.  For local authorities like Reading cutting emissions not only reduces its contribution to climate change, but also helps cut down on energy costs.

In Reading investments were made in a number of areas. For example roof insulation was installed in office buildings at Darwin Close and a complete upgrade to low energy lighting was made at Central Library and Battle Primary.  And despite last year's exceptionally cold winter, figures show the Council achieved an impressive 8.4% cut in its greenhouse emissions. Whilst not quite achieving the full 10%, 10:10 has praised the Council for its effort.  Daniel Vockins, 10:10 Campaign Manager, said: ' There is a mini environmental revolution happening in Reading. The council is really leading the way as today's announcement shows. Over 8% is a fantastic result for a council which has already been working on reducing their emissions for several years. In true 10:10 style, they've gone way beyond reducing their own emissions and are helping others do the same - their support of our Solar Schools programme, piloting in the city, is a case in point.'

Paul Gittings, Lead Councillor for Environment and Climate Change, said: 'This is an excellent result for Reading. Tackling climate change and reducing bills, particularly at this time, is an enormous challenge for us all. Hard work and sensible investment has achieved a good step in the right direction.'  Reading Borough Council has published its greenhouse gas emissions report detailing all the areas which have been monitored and any changes in emissions. It can be found at eading Borough Council has cut the amount of greenhouse gas emissions it produces by nearly 9% in just one year, slashing its energy bills in the process.  The Council was one of many local authorities nationwide to put its name to the 10:10 challenge last year. The aim of the challenge was for organisations and individuals to work towards making a ten per cent cut in their carbon emissions in 2010.  For local authorities like Reading cutting emissions not only reduces its contribution to climate change, but also helps cut down on energy costs.  In Reading investments were made in a number of areas. For example roof insulation was installed in office buildings at Darwin Close and a complete upgrade to low energy lighting was made at Central Library and Battle Primary.  And despite last year's exceptionally cold winter, figures show the Council achieved an impressive 8.4% cut in its greenhouse emissions. Whilst not quite achieving the full 10%, 10:10 has praised the Council for its effort.  Daniel Vockins, 10:10 Campaign Manager, said: ' There is a mini environmental revolution happening in Reading. The council is really leading the way as today's announcement shows. Over 8% is a fantastic result for a council which has already been working on reducing their emissions for several years. In true 10:10 style, they've gone way beyond reducing their own emissions and are helping others do the same - their support of our Solar Schools programme, piloting in the city, is a case in point.'  Paul Gittings, Lead Councillor for Environment and Climate Change, said: 'This is an excellent result for Reading. Tackling climate change and reducing bills, particularly at this time, is an enormous challenge for us all. Hard work and sensible investment has achieved a good step in the right direction.'  Reading Borough Council has published its greenhouse gas emissions report detailing all the areas which have been monitored and any changes in emissions. It can be found at http://www.reading.gov.uk/greenhousegasreport.  It is also encouraging residents to similarly cut back on emissions in their own properties where possible. Putting in loft and cavity wall insulation, draught proofing around doors and windows and, where necessary, installing more efficient boilers are all steps which cut down on bills and reduce emissions. Residents are also encouraged to ask their energy supplier for advice or good deals, such as smart metering and insulation.

It is also encouraging residents to similarly cut back on emissions in their own properties where possible. Putting in loft and cavity wall insulation, draught proofing around doors and windows and, where necessary, installing more efficient boilers are all steps which cut down on bills and reduce emissions. Residents are also encouraged to ask their energy supplier for advice or good deals, such as smart metering and insulation.

Extra care council housing close to completion in #rdg - 1st photos

It's really nice to have tangible evidence of the future of sheltered and extra care housing in Reading (more photos on Whitley news).  Today I 'topped out' Cedar Court the first council housing to be build in Reading for over 20 years.  We got funding for this from the then, Labour, government and huge amount of work has gone into it. 


The build quality is excellent and it will be a case of best of both for residents:  independent living like a sheltered unit, but more support available including care for those that need it and as needs change.


We are moving towards a 21st century sheltered and extra care service for Reading that meets the needs of an ageing population.  We know that there are massive sensitivities about any changes to services for existing users and we are being transparent and open about them.  


Following the misunderstanding (at best) by some councillors of what the review of sheltered services is about I'd also just like to clear up the facts on the sheltered review.  Unfortunately the story in the Chroncle's Midweek is factually inaccurate regarding the contents of that review, I suspect due to a source (probably a councillor) giving them incorrect information.  


For the avoidance of doubt this Labour administration does not have savings targeted against the sheltered housing budget.  We are continuing the review of the sheltered housing service that the previous administration started and following this initial review consulting very fully on some proposed changes to the sheltered service. 


We will not be taking any decisions until that consultation has completed and we will not be anticipating any savings until that has happened and we know what the shape of that service will be.  Obviously this may be hard for some opposition councillors to understand, especially those that have taken a different approach when they were in control of the council.  My colleague Mike Orton is on record as saying it is 'duplicitous' of Cllr Benson to be throwing around the comments she has been on such an important and sensitive issue.


Perhaps it is simply a massive failure to understand.  However given the sensitivity of the issue and the legitimate concern for residents in sheltered, and their families, I would like her to publicly withdraw her remarks, and reassure residents and families that she understands what the consultation is all about.  After all she was the cabinet member responsible for setting this review up.  Residents deserve to know the truth and not be made unnecessarily anxious.  As a side point, journalists also need to be able to rely on the factual accuracy of their sources, otherwise those sources lose credibility.






Council press release:


Councillors and representatives from developers Willmott Dixon Construction celebrated the topping out of Reading's new extra care housing scheme today (Tuesday, October 4th).

The scheme has been part funded by the Homes and Communities Agency, and is the first Reading Borough Council owned and managed housing development for more than 20 years.

Its name, Cedar Court, was chosen by people on the Council's waiting list for extra care housing and also sheltered housing tenants at Christchurch Court.

The 40-unit scheme is on the former Avenue School site in Basingstoke Road. Work on Cedar Court started last year and is due to be completed and ready for tenants to move in Spring 2012.

Cedar Court will provide a mix of 27 one bedroom flats and 13 two bedroom flats, all for social rent. The building will have full lift access to all floors and is designed to be accessible for wheelchair users.

There will be a café/restaurant, outside patio deck and hairdressers which both residents and also older people in the neighbourhood are welcome to use.

The extra care scheme is four storeys and will have additional facilities such as a treatment suite, hobby rooms, small shop, roof terrace and garden for residents to use.

The building has also been designed to meet high standards of renewable energy, through the use of bio-mass boilers and recycling and composting facilities.

Rachel Eden, lead councillor for housing and neighbourhoods, said: "These are the first new Council homes in Reading for many years and we are one of only 10 authorities in the South East to be building new Council properties. Residents who move in here will have the best of both worlds - privacy and independence combined with support when they need it - and really high quality accomodation."

Mike Orton, lead councillor for adult social care, said : "I'm really pleased that this extra care housing scheme is now progressing so well. It will increase the quality and choice of accommodation with care for many local older people and will provide many residents with 24-hour flexible care and support in their home. This will offer greater independence at a lower cost for many people as they get older. I am looking forward to seeing people living at Cedar Court in the spring."

Cedar Court adds to the Council's extra care schemes in the borough. A further scheme – Oak Tree House – is currently being built on the site of The Oak Tree pub in Dee Park, Tilehurst in partnership with Catalyst Housing Group .