Meeting with Ericsson

Today I met with Ericsson staff to discuss why they had moved to Reading, the benefits they are getting from being located in our town, as well as the work they are doing to improve their sustainability as a business. We also discussed Brexit and the concerns they have about …

A Co-operative working hub for voluntary sector and social enterprise in Reading

Reading Voluntary Action have asked me to publicise this.  It’s a great idea – a chance to set up a shared, cooperative working space in Reading – whether you are a small voluntary organisation and would like permanent office space, you are a home worker or social enterprise that needs …

Your community – your cash: giving tenants real power to improve their neighbourhoods #ukhousing

Last year I was really proud to launch the pilot the “Your community your cash” scheme where decent neighbourhoods funding will be directly budgeted for by local residents.  I believe that the best way to ensure that money to improve neighbourhoods is spent wisely is to get local people involved. …

Streetclub by B&Q – a pre launch preview! #rdg the national pilot

Yesterday it was great to attend a pre-launch meeting for people interested in getting involved in Streetclub, a site for people to connect with their neighbours and organise things in their local area.  It’s only available in Reading at the moment, and only just become a live site as we …

#rdg Children’s festival program launched!

Really looking forward to this:www.reading.gov.uk/childrensfest.Organisers are getting ready to kick-off what promises to be a celebratory year to remember with a bonanza of free activities for the Reading Children’s Festival.The festival, which celebrates its 23rd year, will deliver a three-week programme full of exciting events, music, drama, sports and arts …

Live in South Whitley, #rdg? Have your say on crime and ASB

Council press release:Safer Reading Partnership is inviting residents of South Whitley to have their say on which three crime and anti-social behaviour issues are concerning them the most.Residents can find and fill in surveys at various shops in the South Whitley area, as well as the Whitley Wood Community Centre …

Tomorrow’s cabinet – petition coming on 11-19 school for East Reading

A number of things coming to tomorrow’s cabinet including a very worrying report on the potential impact of the police and crime commissioners. However of very local concern is a petition being submitted regarding the technology based 14-19 secondary school in proposed in east Reading.  Instead petitioners want an 11 to …

Improved community facilities in #Southcote #rdg – have your say

We are getting really close to improve the community hub for Southcote residents.  Local people along with the ward councillors, including our wonderful Mayor Deborah Edwards, have been tireless in campaigning for this for years now.  By bringing council services together and seizing the opportunity to redevelop the derelict Happy Prospect site …

VIDEO: First day of spring! Bulbs looking great in Southcote #rdg

I am delighted with the positive impact the flowers and plants have had in neighbourhoods right across Reading. Feedback from resident’s through “Let’s talk” confirmed how much we all care about the  way our neighbourhoods look and feel and the importance of green space, which is why the spring plantings are so valued. This is funded …

Street Parties for the Jubilee

 #rdg Here in Reading there are lots of plans already afoot for celebrating the Jubilee and the Olympic year.  I’m excited about a couple of the things planned in Whitley for example but there are lots of different events all over town.If you are interested in organising one the council will …

Step forward for @TimebankingUK @ReadingCouncil #rdg to fund new schemes

I’m very excited about this. Press release below: Reading residents are set to be offered the opportunity to take part in an innovative ‘time bank’ pilot in a move which will help forge an even stronger sense of community spirit in the town. People who sign up to the planned …

Motion to #rdg council tonight for more support for rape abuse victims @SARCReading

At tonight’s council meeting there will be a lot on the agenda and particularly a lot to say about next year’s budget, which I will blog about tomorrow if I have time.  However I am also proposing a motion to full council supporting a SARC in Reading, a single point …

10% increase in decent neighbourhoods fund

Even more tenants in Reading are to benefit from improvements to their neighbourhoods, thanks to the Council increasing its investment into community led initiatives by 10%.Reading Borough Council is to boost its spend on Decent Neighbourhood Fund projects this year, meaning £440k will be invested into programmes to provide a …

I’m backing a one stop shop for rape survivors @SARCReading

Earlier this week I met with those behind the campaign to have a one stop shop for women, men and children who have experienced sexual violence.  I’ve been in contact with the campaigners for a while and have already signed their online petition .  The Centres are called Sexual Abuse Referral Centres and …

What the feed in tarriff cut means for Reading

A consultation which ends almost 2 weeks after the changes come into effect, creating massive uncertainty for a fledgeling industry and not just moving the goal posts but taking the ball away for community environmental projects for the sake of the profits of the big 6 energy companies. Insert your …

Exciting times for Reading Art #rdg

I’ve just seen hot off the press the programme for this year’s Whitley Art’s Festival.  Very exciting and something that puts Whitley and Reading on the national map for art.   Really looking forward to the choral work that’s this year’s major commission (they’ve just started following me on twitter but I’m not …

‘We got this one wrong’

Does our MP agree? <!–[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]–> When MPs voted Alok Sharma, whose constituency includes Sulham Woods, voted for the sell-off, and in letters to concerned constituents including me argued it was part of the ‘Big Society’. Has he changed his mind? On another note I went to …

The old brewery

Odd things happen when you are a councillor. I had a call from BBC South who are putting together a program/news item on the old brewery, as they wanted to find someone who used to work there. I guess I could have mentioned my dad who did a summer job …

The giving tree

Sights of mounted police charging what looked like peaceful protesters, protesters smashing windows, student sit ins. It’s like the 1980s are back.  I really hope not and all this is a one off. On a more positive note, there’s still a time to donate a present to the Giving Tree! …

Eve of Eid and mum’s group

Yesterday I went to two really enjoyable community events.  Firstly I called in on the Kennet Island mum and tots group, which was lovely.  It’s not every day (ever?!) that as a councillor you get a round of applause.  But I did have some good news for them, which will …

Rememberance day and Burma

Today I stood with many others from Reading at Brock Barracks for the civic Remembrance Day service.  It was as always with Remembrance Day a very moving occasion and of course first in all our minds I’m sure were those who have died in the armed forces and those they …

Whitley arts festival

Not many councillors can say that their ward has its own major arts festival, but Whitley arts festival is currently in the middle of another really successful year (last year’s major commission ended up in the Tate!).  I popped along to the launch event for the flagship commission by local …

Fuzzy is OK – my entry

As part of Whitley Arts festival there is an exhibition of photos that didn’t come out quite how you planned, called ‘Fuzzy is OK’.  There’s still time to enter your snap, which you can do by email.  Mine is from a trip to Yorkshire with family, the light didn’t quite …

Kennet Island

Held a coffee morning on Kennet Island today with Mike and Jim, my fellow councillors today. Every time I go to Kennet Island I’m impressed by the changes on a year ago.  I sound like an estate agent don’t I? But seriously, once they get the parking sorted and as …

Keep posties on bikes!

I’ve just written a letter to royal mail’s new chief executive, whoever that will be, asking them to reverse the proposal to phase out bike postal deliveries.  It’s a decision that seems wrong on so many levels.  I know that in Whitley ward  – from experience of visiting constituents and …

Community spirit

Gordon Brown has backed Reading’s bid for city status and in his comments specifically mentions the area’s community spirit. I second that. Over the last few days I’ve been fortunate enough to attend 4 different meetings that show the community spirit. Firstly there was ‘governor’s day’ at my local primary …

65 years ago today

A few years ago Joe and I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau and Krakow.  It was a trip organised as part of his teacher training and although money was tight at the time we decided it was an important visit, especially for Joe given the subjects he teaches.  It’s now 65 years since …

Whitley News!

I’ve been working with councillors on a new website for  Whitley ward.  I’m hoping it will be really useful to residents:  there is section on local news, a calendar of events (which I’m hoping residents will want to add events to), updates on Reading news and weather, useful links and …

Snow, lovely snow!

I’m sitting in my office in the town centre getting excited about the snow. Hurrah! Went to a Kennet Island residents’ meeting yesterday.  Was very constructive and positive I thought.  Lots of hard work being done by the residents to get a more active community spirit.

Preventing flooding

Given the currently weather (and for those who suffered from the flooding in 2007 in Whitley and Whitley Wood) this article is worth a read as it shows how much work is going on behind the scenes to try to prevent it happening again.  It also mentions the Flooding Bill …

Hope not hatred

I’ve just got home from a parent’s evening at the primary school that I am a governor for.  I was giving out teas and coffees to parents and chatted with them, the children and the teachers.  I came home to the news being dominated by the appearance of Nick Griffin …

Accessible cycling

Just wanted to give a quick plug to this.  If you or someone you know would enjoy the opportunity to take part in accessible cycling, the majority of participants are disabled children, then get in touch with Helen – she’s a very friendly, welcoming person and loves giving people the …

Harris Garden open day

Went out knocking on doors to introduce our parliamentary candidate this morning and got quite wet, then went out this afternoon to the Harris Garden open day and got very wet! It dried up enough later for some nice pictures though.  This one was a bit silly but we liked …

University cuts PCSO funding

The University of Reading is cutting the funding it currently provides to support four Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) that cover the University area.This will affect permanent residents as well as students In particular it could set back progress that the PCSOs, local community and students have managed to achieve, …

Mini motorcycles

Noise and danger from mini motorcycles have been an on-going problem in parts of Whitley. We asked the police to take action. In September this led to six riders having warnings and one cycle being confiscated altogether. If you live in Whitley, get in touch straight away if you have …

Junction 11 improvements

Yesterday I went to see what the contractors are up to at Junction 11 with Cllr Mike Orton.  From what we could gather it seems to be going well and if all goes to plan it will be a big improvement on the old system.  I was particularly keen ot …

Went to Reading Pride last week. Partially for the music and entertainment and also helped out on the Labour party stall. We were collecting signatures for a petition asking the Conservative MEPs to break with the Polish Law and Justice party. It was very popular as were the ‘never kissed …