Bracknell

Bracknell Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted in Easthampstead, Bracknell, yesterday (25/2).

At about 5.45pm, a 35-year-old man was cycling along South Hill Road. As he approached the exit from the car park of Bracknell Sports Centre, two young men walked past and one of them punched him in the face, causing him to fall off his bike.

The two men demanded money from the cyclist, but he shouted for help and they walked away towards Reeds Hill without taking anything.

The cyclist sustained a cut to his mouth, which required hospital treatment.

The two offenders are both white, aged about 19, of average height, with short cropped dark hair. They were wearing white hooded tops and blue denim jeans.

Bracknell PC Richard Probert, investigating officer, said: “This incident happened during the height of the rush hour, when there was a lot of traffic in the area, and I am appealing for anyone who saw anything to come forward and assist with my investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Probert on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Bracknell Forest has seen a dramatic decrease in crime thanks to the success of the Safer Communities Strategy.

Created by Bracknell Forest Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership in 2005, the three-year strategy aimed at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in all areas of the borough. The strategy involved the partnership working between the local authority police, fire service, health service and voluntary organisations within the community to tackle local crime and disorder.

According to the latest figures, the overall crime level taken from the British Crime Survey, against which the police and borough council are measured, is down by more than 20 per cent between March 2007 and January 2008.

Particular Bracknell crime types include robbery of personal property down by approximately 44 per cent, damage to vehicles was down by more than 27 per cent and all auto crime down by more than 26 per cent.

Anti-social behaviour is recorded by the council from data provided by the police, fire service and the councils own departments. These reports are also down by seven per cent since March 2007.

Ian Boswell, Community Safety Manager for Bracknell Forest Borough Council, said: “Bracknell Forest suffers from low levels of crime but this doesn’t mean that we are complacent.

“Through the Safer Communities Strategy the Council works with police, fire service, probation service, health service and other voluntary organisations to address crime in the borough.

“We are currently planning a new three-year strategy to make Bracknell Forest an even safer place to live and work. We have had a very successful 2007 in reducing crime but there are still many people in the borough with a disproportionate fear of crime. We want people to take reasonable steps to look after themselves, their property and each other but it is a shame when people restrict their lifestyle out of an unnecessary fear of crime. While reducing crime levels further, we will also aim to address negative perceptions of crime.”

The Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership is currently writing the next three-year strategy to further reduce crime. This strategy will be launched at the Grange Hotel in Bracknell, on Tuesday, June 19, at 5:30pm. The event will be open to the public.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: “We are committed to working with our partner organisations to further reduce crime in the borough.

“These figures prove that Bracknell Forest is becoming an even safer place to live and we will continue to work in the community to make residents feel safe and secure.”

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Olivia Wessendorff aged 15 from Edgbarrow School in Crowthorne has been elected Member of the UK Youth Parliament (MYP) for Bracknell Forest.

Her victory was announced a special ceremony on February 15 at the Hilton Hotel in Bracknell.

Michael Carne, 15, from Garth Hill College was elected as Olivia's deputy for the coming year.

Young people from across the Bracknell borough went to the polls between February 4 and 8 with votes counted over the weekend.

Voting took place at 25 ballot boxes across the borough and there were just under 1800 votes cast.

With the support of her deputy and the Youth Forum, Olivia will represent Bracknell Forest as one of 300 members of the UKYP which was set up to give young people the opportunity to influence adult decision makers.

Throughout the year they will take part in meetings and activities to promote greater involvement of young people in all aspects of the democratic process, making sure their views are sought and used to best effect.

They will also meet up with borough councillors to discuss a wide range of issues and attend regional and national meetings of the UKYP.

Tony Eccleston, Director of Education, Children's Services and Libraries said: "Well done to Olivia and I wish her good luck for her year in office.

"The role of Bracknell Forest's MYP and DMYP is important and we shall call on them to help us further develop the role young people play in the work we do."

Cllr Gareth Barnard, Executive Member for Children's Services, said: "Congratulations to Olivia and Michael for seeing off such a strong field of candidates.

"We shall support them both throughout their year and I'm sure they will play a full part in helping us fulfil our commitment to involving young people in the Council's decision making."

The full list of candidates in the election was:

Oriana Dempsey

Olivia Wessendorff

Ashleigh Higgs

Shannon Thwaites

Daisey Rhodes

Seth Byron Snow

Michael Carne

Katie Dean

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Bracknell Residents are being asked what they want from a school to be built in the new Jennetts Park housing development.

The new Bracknell primary school will educate children moving onto the new development and is planned to open in 2010.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council wants to hear residents' views on what they would like to see in this new school.

Once these views are collected, the next stage of the process is to encourage a range of organisations who have an interest in providing first-class education for the borough’s young people, to put forward proposals on running the new school.

Possible organisations could include faith and trust schools, businesses and can include parents' groups.

The Council will design and build the school and set challenging targets to ensure quality of education is maintained.

Once built, the school will be handed over to the successful organisation.

The consultation is running now and ends on March 21. A public meeting to discuss the new school will be held at Easthampstead House on Wednesday March 5 at 6.30pm.

Tony Eccleston, Director of Education, Bracknell Children’s Services and Libraries, said: It is a very exciting time for the borough, with new homes planned and the redevelopment of the town centre.

I welcome residents' feedback on what they want to see in this new school.”

Alan Kendall, Executive Member for Education, said: I would like to encourage residents to give us their thoughts on this new school.

Giving the Council your views at the public meeting will be an excellent way to say what you would like to see for the borough’s young people.”

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Children’s services across Bracknell Forest have been judged to be good by inspectors.

The Joint Area Review (JAR) rated Bracknell Forest as grade three, good, which means services in the borough consistently deliver above minimum requirements.

It is a single coordinated inspection of all Bracknell publicly funded services for all children and young people within a local area. It replaces the separate inspections of local education authorities, social services, connexions and provision for 14-19 year olds.

This inspection ranges beyond just what the Bracknell Council does and includes, for example, health and police services.

The JAR looks at how services are improving the lives of children and young people. It also examined the leadership and management of these services and the way we work together to support children and young people to:

* Stay safe
* Be healthy
* Enjoy and achieve
* Make a positive contribution
* Achieve economic well-being

These are the five ‘Outcomes for Children’ set out in a national programme being driven by the government, called Every Child Matters.

Main findings from the JAR included

* The contribution of local services to providing a safe environment and improving outcomes for Bracknell children and young people in need of safeguarding is good. Key services are provided promptly when needs are identified and are managed well. There is an effective Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and a good range of family support is available.
* Services for looked after children are good. There is a strong emphasis on matching resources to individual children and young people’s needs and recognition of the need to improving the range of foster care placements available.
* Partnerships work well together to provide good services to improve the outcomes for children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The needs of children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities have high priority in strategic planning.
* The quality of Bracknell child and adolescent mental health services is good. Some excellent partnership arrangements provide early intervention and promote emotional well-being in the community. There is adequate, and improving, access to a suitable range of specialist services.
* The quality of provision for education and training post-16 is adequate. Collaborative working has increased the variety of provision recently and the achievements of young people from 16 to 19 years of age have improved.
* The quality of youth work in Bracknell Forest is good; young people enjoy taking part and those that participate gain a fair range of skills from capable staff.
* The management of Bracknell children’s services is good. Increasing commitment to partnerships and integrated working and a strong focus on the important priorities have produced good results in many key areas. Ambitious leadership, good financial and workforce management provide good capacity to improve outcomes further.

Separate inspections took place of the Youth Service and the Youth Offending Service which also came out well. Both were judged at least good in most aspects.

Tony Eccleston, Director of Bracknell Education, Children’s Services & Libraries said: I am very pleased that the JAR inspectors recognised that the Council and its partner agencies are providing good services to children and young people.

”The report recognises that we have come a long way in getting services to work together closely and the effects on children and families are there to be seen.

We shall act on the advice of the inspectors and shall try to involve children and young people even more in shaping services to meet their needs.”

Cllr Gareth Barnard, Executive Member for Bracknell Children’s Services, said "I would like to congratulate all staff involved in children’s services for this excellent inspection report.

The Council works very hard to make sure that children’s services are making a good contribution to the lives and achievements of its residents.

This is clearly shown in the JAR findings which rightly highlight the Council’s good work for children and young people.”

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Keen Bracknell photographers are invited to enter a parks photo competition which could see their images promoting the borough’s open spaces.

The Bracknell Council’s parks and countryside service is asking residents to send in photos of the borough’s open spaces for use in a new set of leaflets and the Council’s website.

Images can be of anything from wildlife in Lily Hill Park, to the landscapes of Shepherd Meadows, or people having fun in South Hill Park. The photo must have been taken in one of Bracknell Forest’s public open spaces and have the natural world at its heart.

Images cannot have been previously published or taken by professional photographers. If people can be recognised in the picture, a permission form signed by the subject, or their parents or carers, must accompany the entry allowing its public use; the forms are available online or through the Council. The images will become the copyright of Bracknell Forest Borough Council.

Five of the best photographs will go on public display later this year.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: "We have some really beautiful parks and open spaces in Bracknell Forest, and we would like to promote them from a residents’ perspective.

"If you have pictures of people enjoying the parks, some of the wildlife which lives there or simply some of the landscapes, please send them into the Council and they could appear on our leaflets.”

Anyone who submits a picture is deemed to have agreed to the terms and conditions, which can be seen at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks or by calling 01344 354118. Send your images to park.photos@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or Parks and countryside, Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Time Square, Market Street, Bracknell, RG12 1JD. All entries must be received by 5pm on March 20, 2008.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

There are two new faces patrolling the streets of Bullbrook, Bracknell: Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) Bernice Byard and Julia Caskey have been providing a more visible police presence since they joined the neighbourhood policing team in the new year.

Bracknell PCSO Caskey said: “In our first few weeks, Bernice and I have been familiarising ourselves with the area, getting to know key places such as schools, shops, places of worship and care homes, as well as meeting local residents and developing an understanding of their needs and concerns.

“The three priorities identified by Bullbrook residents in 2008 are parking, speeding and litter. In response to their wishes, Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Jon Morris has tasked us with tackling parking problems around the area. We’re not traffic wardens – that role has now been taken over by the council – but we do hand out tickets to motorists whose vehicles are parked dangerously or causing an obstruction.

“We tend to patrol outside the schools at drop off and pick up times, mainly to show a friendly face to parents and children, but also to deal with any parking issues that crop up.

“Bernice and I work different shift patterns to provide maximum cover, but we do patrol together at certain times, for example, when we join other members of the neighbourhood policing team at weekends to work on Operation Lion Cub, the ongoing initiative to prevent anti-social behaviour.

“I was attracted to the role of PCSO because I saw it as a challenge, where I could gain great job satisfaction and feel that I was putting something back into the community. No two days are the same and the job is never boring. Before I joined Thames Valley Police I was a florist, so I have made a big career change – but I always say that if you can deal with the mother of the bride during the preparations for a wedding, you can deal with anyone!”

The neighbourhood policing team for Bullbrook comprises: Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Jon Morris, PC Samantha Keenan (part-time), PCSO Bernice Byard and PCSO Julia Caskey. All the officers can be contacted on 0845 8 505 505.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Police are appealing for the public’s help in tracing the owners of a dog that bit a nine-year-old girl in Bracknell on Friday (15/2).

At about 4.50pm, the girl was walking through an alleyway in Wheatley, Great Hollands, Bracknell when a young couple walked past with a dog on a lead.

The dog jumped up at the girl and bit her on the arm, leaving a mark. Although she did not need hospital treatment, the girl was shaken by the incident and is now afraid of strange dogs.

The couple are both white, in their early twenties, and the woman was wearing a red coat. Their dog, which is possibly a Staffordshire, is white, short-haired, with a brown patch around one eye.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information about the dog’s owners is asked to contact police on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Two speed checks in Bracknell on 13/2 saw 26 drivers stopped for speeding.

The checks were carried our by Road Safety Constable PC Bob Wade and officers from the Roads Policing Department.

At the first check, in Ringmead, Birch Hill, Bracknell eight drivers were stopped for speeding and issued with fixed penalty notices (FPN) of £60 and three penalty points. Three drivers received the option of attending a speed awareness course at a later date, costing £74. One driver was stopped and found to have no insurance. His vehicle was seized and he has been reported to attend court.

The second check took place on Harvest Rise, at the roundabout at the junction with Newport Drive. 18 drivers were stopped and issued with FPNs and four were offered the chance to attend a speed awareness course.

Previous Bracknell checks saw 92 drivers stopped for speeding offences in three separate checks.

PC Bob Wade, Road Safety Constable for Berkshire East, said: “A lot of people stopped were local, which is disappointing. It appears that while all dislike speeding in their own street, it is perfectly okay to speed in others.

”We received a mixture of comments, including some praise from local residents. I will continue in my efforts to reduce casualties on the road and motorists need to understand that speeding vehicles are a cause to concern to the residents in their community.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Bracknell Residents are being given the chance to give their views about appropriate locations and styles of future housing and employment developments across Bracknell Forest.

Meet the planner sessions will be taking place across the Bracknell borough in February and March. They are informal, drop-in sessions where residents can meet and discuss how Bracknell Forest's neighbourhoods might look in 20 years time.

The feedback will be used in a new planning document called Development Management: Housing and Commercial Policies and Sites. It will include detailed information on the location, number, type and design of new housing, shops and other employment.

Once all views have been considered, planning officers will prepare a series of options for further consultation later this year.

All the documents are part of the Local Development Framework, a series of planning documents which will replace the existing local plan and guide development in Bracknell Forest until 2026.

The broad framework document – known as the core strategy – was agreed by councillors on January 30, and was formally adopted in February. The new planning document will have more specific information relevant to different parts of the borough.

Cllr Mrs Mary Ballin, Executive Member for Planning and Transportation, said: "Now the core strategy is adopted, we are now looking at what development might be appropriate and sustainable for different parts of the borough.

"By attending a meet the planner session, residents have the opportunity to give their views on how the borough might look in 20 years time."

To find out more about the Local Development Framework, please call 01344 352000, email development.plan@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ldf

The meet the planner sessions are taking place from 10am to 1pm unless otherwise stated:

Binfield Parish Council Office; Friday, February 15.
Sandhurst Library; Saturday, February 16.
Bracknell Town Council Office; Monday, February 18.
Crowthorne Parish Council Office; Friday, February 22.
Binfield Library; Saturday, February 23.
Sandhurst Town Council Office; Thursday, February 28.
Whitegrove Library; Saturday, March 1.
Warfield Parish Council Office; Thursday, March 6.
Sainsburys, Princess Square, Saturday, March 8, 9.30am-1pm.
Winkfield Parish Council Office, Tuesday, March 11.
Crowthorne Baptist Church foyer, Saturday, March 15.
Great Hollands Library, Wednesday, March 19, 10am-12.30pm.
Birch Hill Library, Thursday, March 20, 10am-12.30pm.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Tenants are set to see £61 million worth of major improvements following the transfer of housing from Bracknell Forest Borough Council to Bracknell Forest Homes.

An official transfer ceremony will take place at The Grange Hotel in Bracknell on Tuesday, February 12. A giant key will be handed over to the new housing association before a cake in the shape of Point Royal is cut to mark the momentous occasion.

The move will mean tenants will benefit from a major improvement programme for their homes and the housing services in the first five years when they are owned and managed by the new not-for-profit housing association.

Bracknell Forest Homes’ Chief Executive, Caroline Titley, said: “We are delighted the transfer has happened and are very positive about the improvements Bracknell Forest Homes will deliver.

“We look forward to working closely with customers to create a really bright future for housing in Bracknell Forest.”

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive member for adult services, health and housing, said: “We made the decision to transfer the housing stock as we believed it was in the best interests of our tenants – and I am pleased to say that they agreed with us.

“I look forward to seeing the improvements that Bracknell Forest Homes will be delivering over the next five years.”

The major improvement programme means all 5,600 homes will meet the Bracknell Forest Standard, which is a much higher standard of repair than the Government’s basic Decent Homes Standard. Some of the improvements include:

* New bathrooms for 3,500 homes.
* New fitted kitchens for around 3,300 homes.
* New windows for around 1,560 homes.
* Upgrading or installing new central heating in around 3,600 homes.
* There would be a budget of £400,000 to spend on disabled adaptations eachyear for the first five years after transfer .

The Council is also committing 75 per cent of the available capital receipt from transfer to fund new affordable homes in the first five years. This could provide up to 250 new affordable homes in the borough.

Timothy Wheadon, the Council’s Chief Executive, said: “This is not just a significant day for the borough’s tenants and leaseholders. The transfer will also benefit the wider community, meaning the Council will have money to invest in building new homes, as well as money for CCTV and new facilities for young people in the areas that are directly impacted by the transfer.”

Bracknell Forest Homes has a management Board of 12 unpaid members. The Board consists of four tenant representatives, four Council nominees and four independent people.

Dermot McRoberts, Chair of the Board, said: “Bracknell Forest Homes is very much looking forward to working with tenants and delivering the exciting promises which were made in the Offer Document.”

Tenants’ key rights are protected in the transfer as they were with the Council, and rents will be the same as they would have been with the Council.

For enquiries or more information about Bracknell Forest Homes tenants can call 0800 692 3000, email your.homes@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or visit www.bracknellforesthomes.org.uk

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Last Saturday saw the second session of Slovácik, a Slovak toddler group at the Bracknell Rowan's children's centre.

On the first Saturday of each month between 2 and 4pm, the centre holds host to the group run by Ruzenka Newstead, a mum from the local community who felt that Slovak children and families would enjoy being able to get together and celebrate their language and culture.

The February session was a great opportunity to celebrate Fasiangy, a traditional Slovakian pre-Lent celebration.

Children at the Rowan's were in fancy dress as fairies, princesses, pirates, tigers and one even dressed up as Shrek.

There were toys to play with, arts and crafts, books to read and music to dance and sing along to.

Martin Gocke, Assistant Director of Bracknell Children's Services, said: "It is great to see parents getting what they want from the Rowan's children's centre and I know the manager welcomes ideas for new sessions.

"The dress code for sessions is usually more relaxed, but it is always a lot of fun. It's also a great opportunity for parents and carers to meet other families who have similar interests."

Gareth Barnard, Executive Member for Children's Services said: "It is wonderful to see the Rowan's being used for sessions like this.

"It just goes to show that the centre is adaptable and able to play host to all sorts of activites. The children seem to have had a a great time at their Slovácik session!"

Refreshments are provided.

The Rowan's children's centre is on the Fox Hill Primary School site, Pondmoor Road, Bracknell. For more information please call 01344 312800.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Cllr Iain McCracken with Mark Cook and Gareth Jones from Edgbarrow Sports CentreServices in two of Bracknell Forest's leisure facilities have been upgraded to help residents enjoy being active in 2008.

The gym at Edgbarrow Sports Centre in Crowthorne has been expanded and refurbished. It now has a whole new set of fitness and weight equipment. The machines have built in state of the art screens so fitness fans can watch the television while they exercise.

The cardio-vascular machines include treadmills, crosstrainers, bikes and an innovative summit trainer, plus the latest rowing machines. All the resistance equipment has also been updated.

All age groups and all abilities can use the new facilities, and there is a team of knowledgeable staff on hand to support the gym's users. The Be Active gym is open 7am-11pm Monday to Friday and 9am-11pm at weekends.

And the centre's bar is being upgraded to create a fresh new bar and cafe. The café / bar should be open by March, when the centre will also re-open bookings to its licensed function room.

At Coral Reef Water World the pool-side beach bar has been improved and a wheelchair lift installed so disabled people can make full use of the new facilities. It will continue to serve drinks and hot and cold snacks to swimmers.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: "We have superb leisure facilities here in Bracknell Forest and we are always looking at making sure they remain among the very best in the south east.

"If you want to enjoy a healthier lifestyle, visit any of our leisure facilities and see what services we offer."

For more details, visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be or call 01344 352000.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

It was a special school assembly recently for Miguel Fernandes when the Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest presented him with an award.

The creative 10-year-old from Harmans Water Primary School last year won the borough-wide competition to design the cover of the 2007 carol concert programme.

Cllr Mrs Gill Birch, the Bracknell Mayor, presented Miguel with a framed version of his winning programme design in front of headteacher Michael Harris and a full school assembly.

Cllr Mrs Gill Birch said: "A special thank you to Miguel for designing such a lovely and creative programme.

"His design was featured on the programmes we gave out during the concert. This will be a treasured keepsake for him and the other children who took part."

More than 350 children from Bracknell Forest Borough Council's primary schools performed at the annual Christmas carol concert at the Bracknell Leisure Centre accompanied by a youth orchestra made up of Berkshire children taught by Berkshire Maestros. James Baker of Berkshire Maestros conducted the orchestra and choir.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Bracknell Forest Borough Council is one of the top performing councils in the country, according to this year’s national star rating results.

The Bracknell Council has been awarded the highest rating of four stars out of four by the Audit Commission and has been classified as “improving strongly” – again the highest possible rating. Just 13 out of 149 councils achieved this top result this year.

Inspectors for the Commission found many of the Council’s services are improving well and much faster than other councils. In particular, they noted improvements in adult social care, housing management, benefits, education and children’s services. They also found that environmental services had improved, especially recycling rates.

The report added: “The Council provides good community leadership and works well with its partners. It has made good community improvements such as health, street scene and access to services and is improving community safety. Overall customer satisfaction and value for money are good.”

Very good progress towards the £750 million regeneration of Bracknell town centre was also highlighted by the Commission.

Timothy Wheadon, the Council’s Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to be recognised as one of the top performing councils across the whole country. By achieving the highest possible rating we have joined a very exclusive club of the very best councils in the country.

“We have delivered many large projects in the last year which will greatly benefit all residents such as the re3 initiative to improve waste and recycling facilities as well as the transfer of our housing stock to Bracknell Forest Homes, which is due to take place next week. We are also making excellent progress towards the regeneration of Bracknell town centre, with work currently scheduled to start on site in early 2009. But as well as these ‘showpieces’ we also deliver high quality services at low cost day after day.

“I would like to thank staff for their hard work and commitment to serving the borough’s residents which really makes this Council special.”

Cllr Paul Bettison, Leader of the Bracknell Council, added: “We are proud to have achieved this rating as we think it recognises how effective and efficient we are as a Council.

“However, we know that residents do not really care about star ratings – what they care about is their experience of the service they receive from their Council. This is why we were so pleased that our customer satisfaction is good and we will continue to make sure we are focusing on the areas that residents tell us are important to them.”

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Bracknell Forest residents recycled a record amount of their waste at Christmas, according to new figures released this week.

After Christmas and through January, 801 tonnes of cans, plastic bottles, paper and card were collected by the Council from the kerbside – the highest amount ever in Bracknell Forest.

In 2007, 721 Bracknell tonnes was collected, in 2006 it was only 387 tonnes and less than 200 tonnes every year before that. There has also been a drop in the amount of waste sent to harmful landfill sites. This year, 2,110 tonnes were collected, compared to 2,164 tonnes in 2007.

Residents are currently recycling just over 40 per cent of their waste – the highest of any area of Berkshire.

The Bracknell Council is still working hard to help residents to recycle more of their waste. When the construction of new recycling sorting facilities are completed in Reading later this year, residents will be able to mix all of their kerbside recycling in their blue wheelie bins.

Vincent Paliczka, Director of Environment and Leisure, said: "We are now recycling an amazing 300 per cent more than three Christmases ago, and I would like to thank residents for their hard work.

"We will continue to look for ways to make it easier for residents to recycle, while increasing our recycling figure at the same time."

Cllr Mrs Dorothy Hayes, Executive Member for the Bracknell Environment, said: "Bracknell Forest residents did a superb job over Christmas separating and recycling their waste.

"But just as importantly, we are also sending less waste than ever to landfill sites."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Trading standards officers in Bracknell Forest are taking part in a nationwide ‘Scamnesty’ to encourage residents to report people who try to rip us off.

Potential scambusters in Bracknell Forest can drop off any potential scam mailings they may have received into special Scamnesty boxes around the borough. The information could provide crucial intelligence to help future investigations and prevent other people from falling victim.

The Bracknell Council is taking part in a nationwide campaign launched by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) which is encouraging residents to help in the fight against scams which cost the UK an estimated £3.5 billion a year.

Every year about three million people fall victim to mass marketed scams such as bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and sweepstakes, fake psychics, get-rich-quick schemes and miracle health cures.

Many scams are sent through the post, as well as by email or over the phone, and often target the elderly and vulnerable. However, OFT research suggests that less than five per cent of victims report the scam to trading standards.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: "Being scammed out of your hard-earned cash can cause misery to unsuspected victims who are often the most vulnerable people in our community.

”By taking part in the OFT’s Scamnesty, we hope to stop people in Bracknell Forest and across the country becoming victims and losing money.”

Scamnesty boxes can be found until February 27 in the Council’s town centre offices – Easthampstead House and Time Square; in Sandhurst, Ascot and Crowthorne libraries; snf Bracknell Leisure Centre and Edgbarrow Sports Centre. Scam information can also be sent to Scamnesty, Bracknell Forest Borough Council trading standards, Time Square, Market Street, Bracknell. RG12 1JD.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

VIPs and local dignitaries joined the Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest on Sunday for the annual civic service.

The service at St Michael and St Mary Magdalene Church, was aimed at celebrating the contribution made by Bracknell Forest councillors and officers, community and voluntary groups, to the civic life of the borough.

More than 100 people joined the Mayor, Cllr Mrs Gill Birch, and Mayor’s Consort Cllr Dale Birch for the occasion.

Cllr Mrs Birch welcomed her guests to the annual service including Andrew Rowles, Chairman of West Berkshire Council, Cllr Mrs Annette Drake, Mayor of Wokingham Borough Council and Cllr Mrs Adrienne Jones, Bracknell Town Mayor.

Lessons were read by the Mayor and Cllr Paul Bettison, Leader of the Council, while the Mayor’s Chaplain Reverend Guy Cole officiated the service. Prayers were also read out by the Mayor’s Consort.

Representatives from the Mayor’s charity the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) were present and a retiring collection was held for the organisation.

The St Michael and St Mary Magdalene Church choir and bell-ringers added to the special occasion.

The civic service was rounded off with afternoon tea at the Parish Centre in the church.

Bracknell Cllr Mrs Birch said: “The civic service was a lovely event and I’m delighted so many people joined me to celebrate our contribution to life in the borough.

“I also would like to thank everyone who generously donated to the SSAFA. This worthwhile charity helps those locally who have served for their country and every donation helps give them the vital support they need.”

Bracknell Forest Borough Council