Howard Woollaston: Parish Matters – June 2022

I usually steer clear of political and general West Berkshire Council(WBC) matters in this local ward newsletter, but I am sure that some of you do not read the accompanying WBC Parish Newsletter and I wanted you to know that in an independent survey conducted by Money.co.uk, your Council has come out as Number 1 of all 304 Councils in the UK as giving best overall performance and Number 8 for best value for money.

I cannot tell you how proud I am at the achievement of this Conservative run Council and its Officers. It is a huge endorsement of what we are doing both in terms of service delivery to our residents and as importantly keeping council tax demands as low as possible.

New responsibilities…

As I mentioned in last month’s column, I have taken over the Housing Portfolio in West Berkshire, in addition to Leisure & Culture. It has been a steep learning curve and I am now getting to grips with issues such as homeless people (we currently have none in West Berkshire, but we are not complacent) travelers’ sites and the housing list as well as Afghan and Ukrainian refugees –important work which is introducing me to other areas of WBC’s work with which I was previously unfamiliar.

…and old records

I have also taken on the lead role in the extension of the Berkshire Records Office (BRO) in Reading. This was built from some of the proceeds of the sale of Shire Hall when Berkshire County Council was split into the six unitary authorities in 1998. Various functions were divided up amongst the new authorities and West Berkshire became lead authority for the BRO – so I am involved, with my Culture hat on. I had a fascinating tour around this most impressive facility which included showing me the original plans for the school in Lambourn from the mid-1800s (which is now Valentines next to the Co-op).

Planning, Nutrient Neutrality and Membury Industrial Estate

Sue Halliwell, WBC’s Executive Director for Place (which includes planning and highways) came, at my invitation, to see round the whole of the ward, taking in the sights of the Membury Industrial Estate, Upper Lambourn, Lambourn, Eastbury and the Woodlands. Bridget Jones, one of the Parish Councilors who lives in Membury, joined us for part to highlight the issues at Membury.

The following week, Eric Owens (who heads Planning and Enforcement at WBC) came, with his three most senior officers, to look specifically at the planning and enforcement issues at Membury Industrial Estate – again accompanied by Bridget who clearly explained all the issues.

We have agreed to have a half-day workshop between officers, the Woodlands Protection Group and me to find resolutions to the key problems, including enforcement of planning conditions and traffic generation on the B4000.

Nutrient neutrality (which refers to the aim of removing excess nitrates and particularly phosphates from the aquifer and the river which is fed by it) is still a massive issue. A number of planning applications are being held up and others are being delayed in submission, particularly impacting on the racing industry that is so important to the economy of the Lambourn Valley. I have asked the Planning Team for comment that I can pass onto those affected as to likely timing and conditions that might be applied.

Part of the problem is that this came as a bolt out of the blue from DeFRA in mid-March and West Berkshire Council, and other affected authorities, have little internal resource with experience in this field. The government proposed a £100,000 grant to each authority to recruit someone with experience, but we have still not received it and with 26 authorities looking for someone they are going to be in short supply.

I don’t think anyone would dispute the importance of the protection of our world class chalk stream, but we also need to see a degree of certainty and clarity. I will be reporting back as soon as I receive a response.

Lambourn Neighbourhood Development Plan

We have now completed the last of five consultation meetings in Lambourn, Upper Lambourn, Eastbury and the Woodlands. Both the turnout and, more importantly, the engagement exceeded our expectations, and the Steering Group got some really helpful indications of people’s thoughts.

I attended all but one of these as well as delivering flyers with Moz Bulbeck – Reynolds, Chair of Lambourn Parish Council, to all of Eastbury and enjoyed the opportunity to talk to residents at each not just about the plan but also other issues of concern locally. Examples included the regularity of the bus service to Newbury, the new main sewer being installed next summer, drug problems in Lambourn, adult social care, and child-care issues.

More information on the Lambourn NDP can be found by clicking here.

Platinum Jubilee

The Bank Holiday weekend is finally upon us and whilst the weather could be better, I am sure that everyone will make the best of things in the usual British way. I will be attending the Civic Service in St Michaels and All Angels Lambourn on Sunday and have been “persuaded “into reading a lesson. I will also be judging the Eastbury Cake competition later that day as part of the street party in Church or Back Street and will be dropping by the Lambourn party at the Sports Club. Please don’t let it rain after so much effort by so many people!

Other matters

I continue working with Chris Capel on looking at solutions for Eastbury Village Hall and with a number of people and organisations looking at ways to get better use out of the Lambourn Centre.

A summer break

Airlines and airports permitting, we are off on our summer holiday for the next two weeks. As last time, we have a dog sitter staying but neither she, nor indeed our two dogs, are likely to be of much help with ward matters! However, I will be picking up my emails most days (in the evenings): so as ever if I can be of any help to residents, please get in touch on 07836 718100 or Howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk