Berkshire Live

Berkshire Live Berkshire Live formerly Get Reading.

West Berkshire Council says it is gathering evidence to prosecute those behind the illegal development of land near to A...
14/12/2025

West Berkshire Council says it is gathering evidence to prosecute those behind the illegal development of land near to AWE in Aldermaston.

Work has been carried out on land opposite the Atomic Weapons Establishment’s Aldermaston campus despite a temporary stop notice, said the council.

It said the “scale and intensity of the activity” had distressed residents in the Aldermaston and Tadley areas.

At this stage, neither the council nor the police have legal powers to remove individuals or items from the land and the council says the relevant civil legal processes must be followed to enable this.

“The Temporary Stop Notice remains in force,” said a spokesperson.

“Any activity that breaches it is a criminal offence, and officers are continuing to gather evidence to support potential prosecution.

“This requires a structured process and legally robust evidence.

“At this stage, neither the council nor the police have legal powers to remove individuals or items from the land.

“The relevant civil legal processes must be followed to enable this.

“The council is continuing to monitor the site, and it has not yet been necessary to serve any further temporary stop notices, but the council is ready to act and take further action as soon as necessary.”

An online petition said construction machinery was operating from 6am until nearly midnight with a view to building static homes.

The petition, which has attracted more than 300 signatures, said the work had left people feeling “unsafe, anxious, and unprotected”.

The planning application that was submitted to the council is still being held as invalid.

The council says the applicant has not submitted additional information to make this a valid application, and so it is not currently an application under consideration.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Niki Hinman

West Berkshire planners have added a clause to stop a land owner in Tidmarsh from ever being able to use a new barn as a...
13/12/2025

West Berkshire planners have added a clause to stop a land owner in Tidmarsh from ever being able to use a new barn as a home.

It was in response to objections to the building on land at The Rancher on Manor Farm Lane, which has three bathrooms, a kitchen and a veranda overlooking the countryside of the National Landscape.

Ward councillor Mat Shakespeare represented residents objecting to the scheme as he said they were ‘too scared’ to publicly oppose the application after previous objections ended in ‘abuse and intimidation’.

“The original [portable building] on the site was to serve as a temporary welfare unit during the construction of two, which turned out to be four residential rental properties,” he said.

“That was supposed to be removed and returned to its natural state.

“Subsequently that was placed on a solid concrete base and was then used as an office by the land owner.

“There is a long history of applications on the site.

“The council has been pursuing planning enforcement action there for a number of years.

“The proposed building has 80 sq m of living and office space as well as three bathrooms.

“The application says it wants to store tractors there, but the value of the hay was put at £12k per year, and was previously harvested by a contractor in one day.

“Many residents are surprised that such an investment is being made for this return.”

He said a recent Tidmarsh village meeting saw lots of objections – with the applicant saying he would turn the land into a plant storage yard if he didn’t get his way.

Councillors were warned to be extremely careful that they look at the merits of the planning application and not the merits of the applicant.

West Berkshire Council’s eastern area planning committee heard that the original application had looked ‘more domestic’ but amended plans make it look more like a farm barn.

Edward Mather from the architects spoke up for the applicant, saying the barn would be used for storing hay and seeds, with much of the hay likely to go to local equestrian businesses.

There were eight objectors to the proposal from local residents, who felt the new building appears to be a precursor to a future conversion to a dwelling.

Council planners said an agricultural appraisal for the justification of the new barn did, in fact, justify it.

The development was approved, but with a clear condition that no residential use as habitable accommodation of the barn shall occur at any time in the future.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Niki Hinman

Tomorrow's weather forecast for Berkshire
12/12/2025

Tomorrow's weather forecast for Berkshire

Plans are afoot to elect children and young people to West Berkshire Council.West Berkshire Youth Council (WMYC) aims to...
12/12/2025

Plans are afoot to elect children and young people to West Berkshire Council.

West Berkshire Youth Council (WMYC) aims to ensure that the voices of young people are heard, and they able to express their opinions and ideas about issues that are important to them and to influence decision makers.

Membership will be open to all young people. The age range for young people with SEND will be extended to 25.

It is proposed that there should be up to 30 places on the West Berkshire Youth Council, with 24 elected places and six co-opted places.

The co-opted places would be for young people from under-represented groups (eg those with protected characteristics, students not in mainstream education, young carers, or those involved with Family Help Teams).

If the plans are approved by the council executive next Thursday, young people will be able to stand for election if they are aged between 11 and 17 years on the day of the election (or between 11 and 23 years for those with learning disabilities).

During the first year of office, members of WBYC will consult with local young people, prepare a manifesto and agree the campaigns that they wish to work on.

Delivery of the campaigns would be in the second year.

Members of the youth council would also be invited to attend meetings of the children and young people scrutiny committee.

This would provide them with an additional opportunity to ensure that young people have a say in decisions that affect them.

The moves are already happening as West Berkshire Council has appointed two young people to its children and young people scrutiny committee.

Charlie Gale and Natasha Rowe became co-opted members in November.

Berkshire Youth will support them before, during and after meetings and help plan a workshop on effective collaboration.

Heather Codling (Lib Dem, Chieveley and Cold Ash), deputy leader of West Berkshire Council and executive member for children and family services, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to make these appointments.

“It is so important that young people have a voice in local issues and get the opportunity to help shape the services that we provide for them.”

The appointments followed a competitive recruitment process, attracting applicants from across West Berkshire.

Committee chairman Dominic Boeck was on the interview panel.

He said: “I was so impressed by the quality of the applications we received and how well all the young people answered our questions.

“I think that the appointment of Charlie and Natasha is a positive move that will bring a fresh perspective to scrutiny and will challenge us to consider the voice of young people as part of everything that we do.”

Scrutiny aims to improve public services, tackle under-performance, ensure effective use of funds, and hold decision-makers to account.

The children and young people scrutiny committee, created in May, oversees all local authority services for children and young people.

The youth council would organise an annual conference undert the new proposals, providing a chance for young people across West Berkshire to come together and discuss issues of importance to them and to help plan WBYC’s priorities for the coming year.

The UK’s approach to national policy on youth councils is currently in a state of development, with the Government working on a new National Youth Strategy.

Currently, there is no youth council in West Berkshire.

However, a key pillar of the West Berkshire Council Strategy (Thriving Communities with a Strong Local Voice) seeks to achieve a desired outcome to ‘encourage and support our local communities to take the lead in driving what is important to them’.

Young people are identified in the strategy as a seldom heard group within our communities, and involving a new youth council in decision making is listed as a key action to enable them to ‘have a voice in local issues’.

Members may hold allegiance to/be a member of a political party, but they cannot express their party political views as a youth councillor.

Members can meet with any political party at any time as long as their youth council membership is not used in any way to gain votes for that party.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Niki Hinman

Around 11,000 residents in West Berkshire could be missing out on unclaimed benefits.So, to help find out who is not get...
12/12/2025

Around 11,000 residents in West Berkshire could be missing out on unclaimed benefits.

So, to help find out who is not getting benefits due, West Berkshire Council has introduced the Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT), to help residents access financial support they may be missing out on.

LIFT uses anonymised data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the council to identify households eligible for benefits such as pension credit, winter fuel allowance, attendance allowance, and free school meals, but who are not currently claiming them.

Residents eligible for additional financial support will be contacted by letter or text, signposting them to online claim forms or local support through the Let’s Talk programme, which regularly visits libraries, food banks, and community hubs across West Berkshire.

The project aims to improve financial wellbeing, reduce food and fuel poverty, and lower council tax and rent arrears.

Monthly reports will track the impact and help determine whether to continue the programme beyond 2026.

Denise Gaines (Lib Dem, Hungerford and Kintbury), executive member for planning and housing, said: “LIFT is a powerful step forward for West Berkshire.

“It’s about more than data; it’s about making a real difference in people’s lives.

“Too many residents are missing out on vital support, and this project helps us change that.

“By reaching out directly, we can put money back into families’ pockets, ease financial pressures, and give people the security they deserve.”

West Berkshire joins more than 120 other local authorities already using LIFT.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Niki Hinman

Today's weather forecast for Berkshire
12/12/2025

Today's weather forecast for Berkshire

West Berkshire Council has introduced the Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT), a new data tool developed by Policy in Pract...
11/12/2025

West Berkshire Council has introduced the Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT), a new data tool developed by Policy in Practice, to help residents access financial support they may be missing out on.

LIFT uses anonymised data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Council to identify households eligible for benefits such as Pension Credit, Winter Fuel Allowance, Attendance Allowance, and Free School Meals, but who are not currently claiming them.

Residents eligible for additional financial support will be contacted by letter or text, signposting them to online claim forms or local support through the Let's Talk programme, which regularly visits libraries, food banks, and community hubs across West Berkshire.

Research suggests that significant benefits may be unclaimed across 11,000 residents in the district. The project aims to improve financial wellbeing, reduce food and fuel poverty, and lower Council Tax and rent arrears. It also brings wider benefits, such as additional funding for schools when children are registered for Free School Meals.

Funded by Public Health for its first year, the Council will run several targeted campaigns, each focusing on a different area. Monthly reports will track the impact and help determine whether to continue the programme beyond 2026.

Councillor Denise Gaines, Executive Member for Planning and Housing said:

"LIFT is a powerful step forward for West Berkshire. It's about more than data; it's about making a real difference in people's lives. Too many residents are missing out on vital support, and this project helps us change that. By reaching out directly, we can put money back into families' pockets, ease financial pressures, and give people the security they deserve."

West Berkshire joins over 120 other local authorities already using LIFT, and seeing strong results in benefit uptake.

✍Original copy via Westberks Council
🔗Source: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/article/45248/West-Berkshire-Council-launches-new-tool-to-help-residents-access-unclaimed-benefits-and-allowances

Tomorrow's weather forecast for Berkshire ☁
10/12/2025

Tomorrow's weather forecast for Berkshire ☁

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published its 2025 National Maternity Survey, highlighting positive experiences at...
10/12/2025

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published its 2025 National Maternity Survey, highlighting positive experiences at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

The survey, launched earlier this year, received responses from 131 women who gave birth at the hospital in April.

Results showed that 94% of women trusted staff during labour, while 95% felt they were treated with respect and dignity.

Additionally, 96% reported being involved in decisions about their care.

The survey also noted a rise in women having birthing partners stay on the ward after birth, following the introduction of family bays last year through collaboration with the Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership.

Katie Prichard-Thomas, Chief Nursing Officer, said: "The maternity survey provides us with key feedback from women and families using our maternity services from their initial contact with a midwife, to the care provided to them at home afterwards.

"We are pleased to see the results, as they not only provide reassurance for those using our services but reflect on the dedication of our maternity staff to provide support and high quality safe care.

"We know there are still areas we need to improve and the survey highlights some of these, including postnatal care and continuity of care. We are committed to focusing on what we can do better and listening to women so we can improve their experiences."

The Trust is working on several initiatives to further enhance maternity care and continues collaboration with the Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership to identify additional improvements.

✍Original copy via Royal Berkshire NHS

Over a third of 5-year-olds in Reading suffer from tooth decay, well above the national average. To address this, 1,800 ...
10/12/2025

Over a third of 5-year-olds in Reading suffer from tooth decay, well above the national average.

To address this, 1,800 children will receive free toothpaste, toothbrushes, and supervised brushing sessions across the borough.

Data shows that child tooth decay rates in Reading have increased since 2019.

A recent report from Healthwatch Reading highlighted barriers to dental care, including low awareness among parents and language issues.

From early 2026, the programme will be rolled out in 44 nurseries and schools, focusing on deprived areas.

It aims to promote healthy habits and educate children aged 3-5 years and up to age 10 in special needs schools.

Children will brush daily under supervision, with each session lasting around 5-10 minutes. Training will be provided by Community Dental Services CIC, which will supply all necessary materials at no cost.

Interactive sessions using puppets, models, and stories will teach brushing techniques and dietary habits. Parents can attend sessions on finding a dentist, NHS entitlements, and maintaining good habits at home.

Special support for children with additional needs includes sensory-friendly toothbrushes and translated information. Nurseries will also work towards 'Healthy Smiles Plus' accreditation with tooth-friendly celebrations.

Councillor Rachel Eden emphasised the importance of early dental hygiene, stating the programme is fully funded and free for families to help develop healthy habits from a young age.

Jennifer Baitup from CDS added that tooth decay affects children's confidence and wellbeing but is preventable, and the programme aims to support lifelong healthy habits.

✍Original copy via Reading Council

Address

Reading

Telephone

+441189183024

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Berkshire Live posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Berkshire Live:

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Welcome to BerkshireLive

BerkshireLive has grown out of a newsroom which has served Reading for more than 50 years.

The Reading Evening Post was launched in 1965 and served the town until it became the Reading Post in 2009, with a paid for edition on a Wednesday and the free Get Reading paper on a Friday.

Although the print titles closed in December 2014 the website has continued bringing thousands of readers across the town and surrounding areas the latest news, what’s on and Reading FC content.

We are committed to reporting the stories that matter to Berkshire’s residents, as well as the stories that simply interest them, both quickly and accurately.