Howard Woollaston: Parish Matters – March 2024
Howard Woollaston
West Berkshire Councillor: Lambourn Ward
March 2024
So now we know the facts. We have just had one of the wettest winters in the UK and the wettest February in the Southeast since records started back in 1836. No wonder we are having flooding and sewage issues. Many residents have contacted Laura Farris and me complaining, and I will outline below what action is taking place.
On the brighter side the forecast is for a (badly needed) fairly dry week and spring is clearly on the way with the daffodils out.
In a joint session with East Garston, a number of you from Eastbury met with Laura Farris, our MP, to raise your concerns many of which were of course water related!
Sewage and flood risks
We still have sewage coming up through the manholes in various places and particularly Lambourn and Eastbury. Upper Lambourn roads are in places running like rivers with the springs coming up through the carriageway. As I said last month until the groundwater subsides there is little that Thames Water can do apart from continuing tankering and keep the ATAC’s running.
The sewage pipes go down to East Shefford Treatment plant in two separate routes. One picks up Upper Lambourn, Lambourn and Membury and the other Eastbury, East Garston and Great Shefford.
So, there are three initiatives going, to try and get some action or at the very least a firm roadmap on what will be done once the groundwater drops, albeit that could be months.
Firstly, Clive Hooker, who is the District Councillor representing East Garston and Shefford ) and I along with the Parish Council Chairs for Lambourn East Garston and Great Shefford are trying to meet with Tessa Fayers, the newly appointed Operations Director of Thames Water responsible for the South East who reports directly to the Chief Executive.
Secondly the Sewage Action Group has just been launched, chaired by MartynWright, who is an East Garston Flood Warden and the founder of the East Garston Flood and Pollution forum, who has of necessity become an expert in the problems affecting us all in the Upper reaches of the valley. This group are looking at the upper reaches of the Lambourn in isolation from the source of the river in Upper Lambourn down to the East Shefford treatment plant and includes the three Parish Council chairs and
Finally, I have agreed with the Liberal Democrat Councillors representing the lower reaches of the Lambourn and Clive Hooker, that we will all collaborate through a cross party group to lobby Thames Water, The Environment Agency,West Berkshire Council and Central Government to find a long-term solution to the flood and sewage issues in the valley.
We intend to compile a dossier with photographs and detailed informationclearly showing the seriousness of the situation. Martyn is compiling a template and flood wardens in our part of the valley along with Speen and the last part of the Lambourn where it runs into the Kennet will all contribute. These are the areas most impacted by flooding and sewage issues. Clay Hill for example has identical sewage and flooding issues as Lambourn.
The dossier will have a covering letter signed by all District Councillors and Parish Chairs and be sent to all the bodies mentioned above as well as national and local media.
As I have said before, there is no quick fix to this problem. I am convinced that Climate Change is having an impact. Hopefully this coordinated approach will get some results.
Council Budget
The budget was passed for 2024/5 last week. The WBC budget increase will be 2.99% for Council Tax and 2% ringfenced for Adult Social Care. Except in extraordinary circumstances this is the maximum that a Local Authority can increase Council tax by without going to a local referendum: it seems that all but a small handful of other Councils are taking the same view. There will also be precepts from Lambourn Parish Council, police, and fire services.
I explained the other possible service cutbacks which were stopped last month and approved. The green bin charge cut of £3pa was kept despite amendments from both the opposition parties who wanted to use the £100,000 saving for planning enforcement and special needs costs.
Casework
I don’t think in nearly 5 years in the role that I have ever had so many emails and telephone calls in a single month from people with problems. I do my level best to resolve them but do bear with me please, as at times it is quite overwhelming and unlike an MP, I do not have the benefit of any staff to assist. Nonetheless that’s what you elected me to do …
Roads
Potholes are being repaired but not fast enough for most of us. To be fair to West Berkshire Council and its contractor, I am told that there are 10X more than this time last year because of the water levels. It is going to take months to get them all repaired, with the best will in the world. Do please keep reporting them. You will have noticed that parts of the B4000, Baydon Road and the valley road in East Garston have all been repaired in the last week.
I have been provided with a list of road works proposed on top of the repairs: –
2024/5
Maddle Road, Upper Lambourn – 1942M being retextured.
Newbury Road, Lambourn – 70 M being retextured by Long Hedge.
2026/7
The Park, Lambourn – slurry Seal to 298M
I will try to find out what the difference between slurry seal and retexturing is (one is always learning in this job )and enlighten you next month.
Thames Valley Police and the Police & Crime Commissioner
All District Councillors are invited to attend an annual presentation by the Chief Constable and the P&CC which I went to last week. Key takeaways were:-
• There are now more police officers in Thames Valley than ever before, and the P&CC is pledging to recruit a further 150 as part of this year’s budget.
• Since 2019, burglaries are down by more than a third and all neighbourhood crime has reduced by 14%.
• The police are doubling the number of officers in neighbourhood policing to increase visibility and working with retailers to catch more shoplifters.
Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF)
This is a government fund for small rural businesses.
Businesses can apply for between £10k – £40k to invest in a project that will help stimulate growth, diversification, and employment in our rural communities.
The scheme is open for a year, and the Council will be allocating funding on a competitive, rolling-programme basis, to the best applications every couple of months. To read more about the scheme and apply see: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/repfgrantscheme
If you have any queries about this scheme the best officer point of contact is Dan Phelan – Daniel.phelan1@westberks.gov.uk
Get in touch.
Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718 100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk
