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Slough Borough Council completed a special operation last week, April 23 to 27, by removing untaxed vehicles from the borough’s roads.

Slough council now has devolved powers agreement with the DVLA. and removed 30 vehicles during the week long clear up, including the removal of several vehicles belonging to the same person in North Slough.

The penalty for untaxed cars means that the owner has to pay £80 per vehicle to get then back within 24 hours, this cost then doubles after that time. The owner also has to pay a deposit of £120 per vehicle which they get back so long as they get the car taxed within 14 days.

The owner’s details are also passed to the DVLA who can pursue them for back payments if the car’s tax is seriously out of date.

Nick Nawell, team leader for neighbourhood enforcement, Slough Borough Council, said: “This operation removed as many untaxed vehicles from Slough’s streets as possible, which will help reduce nuisance parking. It should send a clear message that it’s not acceptable to leave your car untaxed on the road.

“It also helps to improve the appearance of the helping us to keep it cleaner, safe and green and a more pleasant place to live and work.”

Similar exercises are planned for June and August of this year.

For further information, or to report an untaxed and/or abandoned vehicles, please call 01753 875255.

Slough Borough Council

Slough council welcomes the promise made by the prime minister, Tony Blair, today for more resources to be made available for Slough’s growing population.

The promise was made this morning in an interview on the Andrew Peach show on BBC Radio Berkshire after Andrew Blake-Herbert, strategic director of finance and property, put the case for Slough town.

The prime minister said: “We have been having a discussion with the council. Slough in particular is keen for us to support them more.

“There’s been quite a lot of cash already, however, we’ll see what more we can do, of course we will.”

Andrew Blake-Herbert said; “It’s excellent news that the prime minister has recognised the council’s case for fair funding for Slough’s growing population.

“The continued underestimates of population means the town has been under funded by approximately £5million since 2001 and could lose up to £15million up to the next census in 2011.

“We will contact the government department responsible for funding councils today to follow up on the PM’s promise.”

The surprise promise comes on the back of the Office of National Statistics’ recent announcement on the ‘improvements’ to Slough’s population estimate.

Although the new numbers now recognise that the town’s population is growing the council warns that the numbers still severely underestimate the true size of its population.

Andrew Blake-Herbert, added: “There is still a long way to go in getting our population numbers right. Official statistics remain a poor estimate of the town’s population and we trust these will not be used to determine how much extra resources are made available after today’s announcement by the prime minister.

“We need to make sure the town is funded appropriately until the official population estimates can catch up with what’s happening on the ground.”

Slough Borough Council

Slough Borough Council has created ‘fun on the rocks’ with a brand new climbing feature for children to play on in Salt Hill Park – only the third of its kind in the country.

The new Slough climbstones, with a spider-web style net, have been designed to encourage creative and challenging play for children and younger adults.

The structures are intended to simulate rock climbing conditions with additional foot and hand holds to ensure a safe grip.

To make sure there will be lots of fun and no tears, a full impact absorbing rubber surface has been laid around the frame to cushion potential falls.

The climbstones were funded through capital money, allocated as part of Slough council’s parks improvement plan, which will be rolled out through the borough, starting in Salt Hill Park.

Gerald Pleace, parks development officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “We felt it was appropriate to contribute something to Salt Hill Park to mark the start of its second century and this fantastically designed climbing feature fitted the bill.”

Slough Borough Council is currently working on a play strategy which aims to provide innovative play opportunities to challenge children and encourage physical activity.

This will then help to reduce childhood obesity and encourage a healthy active outdoor life.

In the future, the council hopes to access Big Lottery funds to create further exciting play opportunities in Slough.

Slough Borough Council

Slough Borough Council is urging residents to be considerate neighbours when it comes to noise – especially as the months get hotter.

The warm summer sun can lead to an increase in complaints about noisy neighbours holding outside parties into the early hours of the morning.

So now the council is asking residents to be considerate of their neighbours and move parties indoors after 11pm.

Dympna Molloy, head of neighbourhood enforcement for Slough Borough Council, said: “We don’t want to stop people having fun, but sound does travel far more than people realise, which can cause problems for others wishing to sleep and enjoy their own property.

“During this warmer weather, most people will be sleeping with their windows open, which means they will be disturbed much more readily.

“We want to encourage people to consider their non-partying neighbours and move inside from 11pm, which will dramatically cut down on the amount of noise others suffer.”

Slough council operates an out-of-hours noise service which is accessed through the police. This service deals with major noise disturbances and emergencies.

If you have been experiencing problems, please contact the neighbourhood enforcement team on 01753 875255 to complain or to get advice.

Slough Borough Council

Some of Pakistan’s top IT companies will be visiting Slough on May 2 to identify new business opportunities and gain knowledge and expertise from Slough and the Thames Valley.

Slough Borough Council is asking local companies if they would be interested in meeting the Pakistan business delegation when they tour the town.

Slough continues to attract a very healthy interest from international business delegations.

In the last year alone Slough Borough Council, with business sector partners, has responded to business delegations from China, Korea, Japan and India and now Pakistan.

Rafiq Chohan, Slough Borough Council’s head of economic development, said: “This is another example of how dynamic international businesses see Slough.

“This continued interaction with world class businesses ensures we remain competitive, attract investment and export knowledge.”

For details of the visit please contact Shabnam Ali at Slough Borough Council on 01753 875849.

Slough Borough Council

Slough Borough council, in partnership with Network Rail and First Great Western is asking for resident and commuters views on a new look train station forecourt.

As part of a range of improvement measures, the three organisations have been looking at ways to enhance Slough railway station forecourt and now they want residents views on the proposals.

The stations’ forecourt accommodates a wide range of transport users and activity, but at present, there is considerable conflict between pedestrian movements and those of other road users.

The area has generally been neglected and is in need of attention to enhance the experience of all users and residents, so Slough council has come up with some proposals to enhance people’s experience of using the station.

The key scheme proposals are to:

* Pedestrianise the outside area of Slough station to improve segregation between pedestrians and other users
* Provide a more pleasant forecourt for all users with high quality street furniture, removal of the advertising hoarding and taxi office
* Provide a separate taxi rank area next to the forecourt with space for more vehicles
* Improve the pedestrian route to the town centre
* Provide better integration between the rail and proposed new bus station
* Provide a dedicated pick up and drop off area
* Provide improved long stay car parking arrangements at both car parks
* Provide dedicated short stay car parking spaces

Savio DeCruz, principal engineer (integrated transport) for Slough Borough Council, said: “The station plays a vital role in the local transport network and acts as an important gateway for people coming to Slough and commuters travelling to other locations such as London.

“This scheme is part of a wider programme of works in Slough focussing on improving the local urban environment and it goes some way to meeting the council’s objectives to improve transport facilities in the borough.”

Before any work is undertaken at the station the council is keen to understand what residents and business users think of the proposals and what they would most like to see improved.

Their views will be used to refine the final design which is intended for completion early next year. To have their say, all they have to do is complete a questionnaire, available at the train station and returning it by freepost by Monday 30 April 2007.

Slough Borough Council

People 1st (Slough) is organising a fun fuelled family day for all to mark the season of spring and to help bring a real sense of community together on Saturday April 28 from 11am to 4pm.

The Manor Park Spring Forward day has been arranged by the ALMO’s community participation team as an opportunity for residents to come and see what their services have to offer.

Both local tenants and residents will be meeting at the Manor Park Young People’s Centre, to talk to organisations such as People 1st, Sure Start, Shape, The Slough Federation of Residents and Tenants, Thames Valley Police and Connexions.

The day will allow families to come together and discuss local issues. There will also be an arts exhibition created by young people from local schools and children will be able to have their faces painted.

Khalid Abdullah, community participation officer for People 1st (Slough), said: “Spring is always a time of renewal and the promise of good things to come, so we thought it was the perfect time and opportunity to organise an event like this.

“It’s really important that communities stay strong together, no matter what their background. A day like the Manor Park Spring Forward will help to bring people together and give a real sense of community spirit.”

If you would like to get involved or seek more information contact: Community Participation Team on: 01753 474027 or email citizenship@people1stslough.co.uk

Slough Borough Council

Slough Borough Council and the Safer Slough Partnership are hosting a Polish information evening next Tuesday (17th April from 6.30 to 9pm) to welcome the town’s new Polish community and give them all the information they need to access local services.

The event which will be held in the Polish Catholic Centre on Pitts Road will have representatives on hand from housing services, the community wardens, adult learning, East Berkshire College, Thames Valley University, Berkshire East Primary Care Trust, Thames Valley Police, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue, Job Centre Plus and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

All of the services will be there to answer questions and give out information about what they can offer to people in Slough, from how to get your child into school and get on a course, to reporting crime to the police. These are the same services that are available to all residents in Slough, but when you are new to a country it is difficult to know where you go to for service information.

Slough Borough Council estimates that at least 10,000 Polish migrants have moved to Slough to work since 2004. However, government projections say the town’s population has been decreasing for the past four years.

Slough had the ninth fastest growing population in the country at the 2001 census. Since 2001, flawed annual population estimates have now made the town the second fastest depopulating in the country. This runs contrary to local data sets such as schools rolls and council tax which suggest a strong growth in population.

The council estimates it could lose as much as £15million in local government grant up to the next census in 2011 if the population estimates are not put right.

Anne Farmer, community safety officer, said: “This event is important to ensure that our new Polish community know what services are on offer, and how they can be accessed.

“With so many people moving to the town in a short space of time, it is vital that they are embedded into the life of the town, and know where to go if they have a problem or need help.

“I am really pleased so many organisations are involved in this event.”

Slough Borough Council has been advertising the event through posters at the Polish Catholic Centre and in Polish grocery stores in the town centre and Farnham Road. Refreshments have been kindly provided by local Polish stores and through a donation from Tesco.

Slough Borough Council

Slough Borough Council, along with other local authorities in London, will be offering a free text service to people who suffer from heart or breathing problems to warn them of high air-pollution days.

The council is the only local authority outside of London to offer airTEXT, a text service which will enable 300 residents in Slough to sign up and receive daily messages on the quality of air in the borough.

It is hoped the service will help reduce the effects pollution has on people who suffer from illnesses such as asthma, emphysema and heart disease.

It works by sending alerts and health advice to people who are most at risk and advance warning of higher pollution levels allowing them to take precautionary measures like remaining indoors, avoiding excessive exercise or carrying their reliever medication with them.

Monica Wilsch, environmental quality manager for Slough Borough Council said: “airTEXT is a great device for anyone who may suffer from breathing or heart problems and can be received on their mobile, home phone or via email.

“It is absolutely free to sign up to and could help many residents by alerting them to the quality of air in the borough on each day.

“It’s was launched in Croydon two years ago and has received a positive response. Eighty percent of users, responding to the Croydon survey, stated that airTEXT helped them to manage their symptoms better and reduce their exposure to air pollution.”

Residents can sign up for the free service by calling 020 8760 5483 or register online at www.airtext.info

Slough Borough Council

Slough Borough Council’s sport and health action team is working with the Skill 7 organisation to run a football coaching camp for children aged from six to 14, at Kedermister Park.

The Slough camp is to help engage young people in sport and physical activity for the benefit of their health and social skills.

Friday will see a combination of coaching exercises and fun small sided games for the children, followed by a presentation of trophies.

The Slough football activity is partly funded by a grant from the Football Foundation and Barclays Spaces for Sport, and there is enough for three years of funding to run football activity in the park.

There are 18 children booked on the programme.

Claire Thrussell, community sports officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “This sports scheme is a great idea for local children to get fit and make new friends.

“It’s really important to keep young people happy and active.”

Slough Borough Council

Slough Borough Council’s trading standards team are clamping down on businesses posing as private car sellers and is warning potential buyers to steer clear.

Vehicles are being sold through small ads in Slough newspapers, as well as through for sale signs in cars on the road or pavements, without indicating that the sale is in fact a trade one.

These traders are attempting to avoid consumer protection laws which apply to honest traders for the benefit of the consumer. This in turn means the consumer will have no guarantees or means of seeking any compensation if things go wrong.

Traders can sell cars in the small ads and from the street, but they must adequately identify themselves as trading.

If such advertising persists, Slough trading standards officers will be taking action to prosecute under the Business Advertisements Disclosure Order 1977, where the maximum penalty is six months imprisonment and/or a £5000 fine.

Any consumers or businesses in Slough requiring advice or have any information, should contact a member of the trading standards team on 01753 875255.

Keith Eaglestone, trading standards manager for Slough Borough Council, said: “We already have three investigations in progress and we intend to stop this practice in Slough.

“Consumers should have confidence in who they are dealing with when buying a car, but we need the public’s assistance and information to identify these rogue traders.”

Slough Borough Council

The next phase of the roll-out of neighbourhood policing in Slough will go live next week.

The new style of community policing will be introduced to residents of Chalvey at a launch meeting at Brook House, Spackmans Way, Chalvey, Slough on Monday 16 April.

Insp Ken Patterson, who heads the neighbourhood policing team for Chalvey, Slough said: “Through neighbourhood policing we will be working with local people to identify the issues which affect the community’s sense of security, and then working together to tackle those problems. This process will be achieved via neighbourhood forums and neighbourhood action groups (NAGs).

“Neighbourhood policing is a partnership initiative, as many of the problems identified may not be purely policing issues. For example, people may be concerned about anti-social behaviour and graffiti, both of which are dealt with jointly by the local authority and the police. Hopefully, by all working together we can make people feel safer, more secure and involved in what happens in their neighbourhood.

“The launch meeting for residents of Chalvey starts at 7pm. We hope that as many people as possible will come along to meet their neighbourhood policing team and find out about how they can get involved in this new initiative.”

"It is very important that as many residents as possible come along - as their input is vital if we are to get a real picture of priorities in the area".

The neighbourhood policing team for Chalvey in Slough comprises:

Insp Ken Paterson
Sgt Dave Luff
PC Nick Bond (Neighbourhood Specialist Officer)
PC Andy Moore (Neighbourhood Specialist Officer)
PCSO Steve Vaughan
PCSO Dan Brown

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Here is the list of the validly nominated candidates for the Slough Borough Council local elections to be held on Thursday 3 May 2007.

There are 14 seats up for election – one in each of the borough’s wards.

The candidates are listed by name and description in the order they will appear on the ballot paper.

Baylis and Stoke ( Slough )

Dobson CHAGGAR The Conservative Party Candidate
Sarfraz KHAN Liberal Democrats
Fiza Ahmed MATLOOB The Labour Party Candidate

Britwell ( Slough )

Olly ISERNIA The Labour Party Candidate
Patrick SHINE Independent Britwellian Residents
Alan TILBURY The Slough Party
Timothy Charles WILLIAMS The Conservative Party Candidate

Central ( Slough )

Gary James GRIFFIN Liberal Democrats
Eshaq KHAN The Conservative Party Candidate
Lydia Emelda SIMMONS The Labour Party Candidate
Sukh SOHAL (no description given)
Ida ZAIDI The Slough Party

Chalvey ( Slough )

Mohammed BASHARAT The Conservative Party Candidate
Duncan Peter BUCHANAN Liberal Democrats
Suk DHILLON (no description given)
Doris Julia GRABKA The Slough Party
Raja Mohammed ZARAIT The Labour Party Candidate

Cippenham Green ( Slough )

Wisdom Methodious DA COSTA Liberal Democrats
Patricia Josephine O'CONNOR The Labour Party Candidate
Maurice Arthur STANMORE The Conservative Candidate

Cippenham Meadows ( Slough )

Sat Pal Singh PARMAR The Labour Party Candidate
Kevin Charles POND The Conservative Party Candidate
Nadeem Anwar RANA Liberal Democrats

Colnbrook with Poyle ( Slough )

Steve BURKMAR The Conservative Party Candidate
Rakesh PABBI The Labour Party Candidate
David Thomas WOOD The Slough Party

Farnham ( Slough )

Joginder Singh BAL The Labour Party Candidate
Josephine Mary HANNEY Liberal Democrats
Sumander KHAN The Conservative Party Candidate

Foxborough ( Slough )

Sonja Anne JENKINS Liberal Democrats
Luggard OGBEBOR Independent
James Lawrence WALSH The Labour Party Candidate

Haymill ( Slough )

Sehar Izzat ALI-NOOR The Conservative Party Candidate
Martin Frank CARTER The Labour Party Candidate
David John MUNKLEY The Official Liberal Party Candidate
Daniel WALL Independent

Kedermister ( Slough )

Waljinder Singh CHAHAL The Conservative Party Candidate
Matthew Thomas HANNEY Liberal Democrats
Raja Muhammad Attiq KHAN (no description given)
Mewa Singh MANN The Labour Party Candidate

Langley St. Mary's ( Slough )

Peter CRUZE The Slough Party
Diana Victoria COAD The Conservative Party Candidate
Joan JONES The Labour Party Candidate

Upton ( Slough )

Rani BAINS The Labour Party Candidate
Balwinder Singh DHILLON The Conservative Party Candidate
Helen EDWARDS Liberal Democrats
Sarah-Ellen WALL Independent

Wexham Lea ( Slough )

Mohammed ARIF The Labour Party Candidate
Dominic James ASHFORD Independent
David MACISAAC Independent

The count will be held on Friday 4 May, 2007 at The Centre, Farnham Road.

The current political make-up of the council is as follows:

Labour 18 seats
Conservative 7 seats
Liberal Democrat 5 seats
Liberal 3 seats
Independent 3 seats
Independent Britwellian Residents 3 seats
Independent Langley Residents 1 seat
UKIP 1 seat

The council is led by a coalition of the Britwellian, Independent, Liberal and Liberal Democratic (BILLD) group and the Conservative group.

Slough Borough Council.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has estimated that Slough does not need to build any new households between now and 2016.

Slough Borough Council say these figures are not fit for purpose as it estimates that some 10,000 new migrant workers have come to the town since 2004 and that housing needs to keep pace with population growth.

Andrew Blake-Herbert, director for Slough finance and property, said: “These figures go totally against what we are seeing on the ground in Slough at the moment. New migrants are arriving every day and the demand for housing is high. Our new migrant communities are made up from hard working, diligent people that are bringing great benefit to the town. Like any growing town we need to manage the protection of open space but also accommodate a rise in population.”

The council’s analysis comes on the back of the government’s own admission that 33% of housing increases nationally are necessary to help accommodate a growth in migration to the UK.

However, the government’s projections are so out of tune with what is happening on the ground in Slough because they are based on the same flawed population projections that suggest the town’s population has been decreasing for the past four years.

Slough had the ninth fastest growing population in the country at the 2001 census. Since 2001, flawed annual population estimates have now made the town the second fastest depopulating in the country. This runs contrary to local data sets such as schools rolls and council tax which suggest a strong growth in population.

The Slough council estimates it could lose as much as £15million in local government grant up to the next census in 2011 if the population estimates are not put right.

The council refutes the housing projection for Slough and says it is further evidence that the government’s figures for migration are no longer fit for managing the economy, determining policy or providing local services.

Last year the Office for National Statistics (ONS) responsible for compiling population estimates wrote to four government departments saying: “There is now a broad recognition that available estimates of migrant numbers are inadequate for managing the economy, policies and services.” Letter from Karen Dunnell, National Statistician in May 2006 to four government departments.

Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England complained earlier this year that a lack of information about migrants was hindering his efforts to steer the economy.

Slough Borough Council

Slough Borough Council’s director of education and children’s services, Janet Tomlinson, will be leaving Slough for a new role in Oxford.

Janet TomlinsonJanet will be leaving Slough at the end of June to become Oxfordshire County Council’s director of children, young people and families.

Janet has worked for Slough Borough Council since January 2003. Her first role was assistant director for school improvement, before she was appointed to her current position in December 2004.

During her time as director, Janet has led a successful Slough directorate to achieve one of the best Joint Area Review scores for children’s services in the country in 2005, and more recently she has led the borough’s schools to achieve the 10th best GCSE results in the country.

Andrew Blake-Herbert, acting chief executive and director for finance and property, said: “We will be very sad to see Janet go.

“She has been instrumental in dramatically improving outcomes for children in the years that she has been here, and has built up strong relationships with our schools and partner organisations.

“Her new job at Oxfordshire County Council is a fantastic opportunity for her career progression, and we wish her all the best of luck in her new role. She will be missed.”

Janet Tomlinson, director of education and children’s services, said: “I shall greatly miss working in Slough where there are so many positive, talented and dedicated staff.

“It will be a hard place to leave because of the exceptional people and strong partnerships.

“We have achieved much together in terms of improved outcomes for children and I know that I am leaving a good team in place to ensure the continuation of that good work.”

Slough Borough Council

Stamping out anti-social behaviour is the top priority of a new neighbourhood officer in Colnbrook, Slough.

PC Keith Steward, who was recently appointed as Neighbourhood Specialist Officer (NSO), believes that local residents should not have to put up with antisocial behaviour, and plans to tackle the problem head-on.

Keith joined Thames Valley Police as a shift officer in 2003, and has since performed in a number of Slough-based roles. He spent six months as part of the criminal intervention detection team (CIDT), followed by two years in the town centre unit, before being appointed as NSO for Colnbrook in February 2007.

As NSO Keith is responsible for policing Colnbrook only and is not removed for other duties, enabling him to forge close links with residents, traders and partner agencies.

Speaking of the challenges facing him in Colnbrook, Slough Keith said: “Like many other areas, Colnbrook has problems with anti-social behaviour. I want to ensure persistent offenders get ASBOS. My long-term aim is to work with the Police Community Support Officers and our partners to establish solutions to issues which are prevalent in Colnbrook such as vehicle crime, burglary and criminal damage.

“With high visibility patrolling, intelligence-led operations, enforcement of the alcohol free zone which encompasses Colnbrook, we hope to bring regular antisocial offenders to justice.”

Keith is also involved with Poyle’s Business Watch scheme, and educating people about the new seatbelt/child seat regulation.”

Residents will have an opportunity to meet PC Steward at his first public Neighbourhood Police meeting on Tuesday 24 April at 7.30pm in the Village Hall, Vicarage Way, Colnbrook.

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough

Slough Borough Council, in partnership with Thames Valley Police, has introduced a dispersal order in the town centre to tackle antisocial behaviour.

It was signed in response to antisocial behaviour caused by groups congregating in Slough centre and in particular, Brunel underpass.

The dispersal came into force at 7am on Sunday April 1 and will continue throughout the summer months until midnight on September 1.

The order covers the Slough High Street, Queensmere shopping centre, Brunel Way, the A4, from the railway bridge on Bath Road to the junction with Aldin Avenue North, Wexham Street between the junctions with Wellington Street and High Street, Windsor Road from the junction with the High Street to Brunel roundabout and William Street from Brunel roundabout to the bridge over the railway line.

Under the terms of the order, police officers and police community support officers have the power to tell people in groups of two or more to disperse and tell people who don’t live in the area to leave and not to return for up to 24 hours.

In addition, between 9pm and 6am, officers may remove anyone under the age of 16 to their home or place of safety if they are not under the effective control of a parent or responsible person over the age of 18.

Anne Farmer, community safety project officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “The dispersal order is one of a number of tools being used by the council and the police to try and ensure shoppers, residents and workers in the town centre can come into Slough without being intimidated by large groups of people who may be congregating.
“It should help people to feel safer and more relaxed while in the town.”

Inspector Ken Paterson, Neighbourhood Inspector for South Slough, which includes the town centre, thinks the dispersal order will be an effective way for officers to address some of the issues that are occurring: “The powers available to us under the dispersal order will be used with discretion by my officers to disperse groups intent on causing harassment and intimidation to the public in Slough town centre.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Slough