I am the Ward Member (District Councillor) for Lambourn and your representative on West Berkshire Council (WBC). (The Lambourn Ward has the same borders as the parish of Lambourn.)

These reports give a monthly summary of the work that I’ve been involved with in the ward. If matters take more than a month to resolve – which sadly is often the case – then expect to see them referred to more than once. You’ll see my contact details below if you need to get in touch about any of these, or anything else.

My colleague Clive Hooker is the ward member for Downlands, which includes the parishes of East Garston and Great Shefford, so please contact him if your enquiry relates to that area.

Notes: The reports were provided at the end of the first-named month below. Any links in the text have been added by Penny Post which will take you to articles on the Penny Post website or elsewhere.

Note also that as this post has been built up from monthly updates over several years, in a few cases the web links may now be showing as “broken” (scored through). If on being clicked they produce an error message this may be either because the organisation has changed the page address or because the matter (such as a consultation) is now over and done with and the page has been taken down. 

Ward reports from June/July 2020 to April/May 2023 have been moved to this separate archive post.

November/December 2025

Christmas is approaching terrifyingly quickly for me. The saving grace is also that so too is the shortest day. I am an owl rather than a lark and am not good in the morning, so I suppose it affects me more than most – roll on longer days…

Council devolution and reorganisation

The submission of the Ridgeway Council proposal has been lodged with the Secretary of State. The next stage is the issue of a mayoralty.

The government has indicated that ideally these should each represent about 1.5 million people. The combined population of Oxfordshire and West Berkshire is a little under a million and the rest of Berkshire is around 800,000. Buckinghamshire has already indicated its preference to join with Hertfordshire.

So, the logical solution is likely to be a Thames Valley Mayoral area representing 1.8 million people. West Berkshire Council, after an almost unanimous vote from Full Council, has agreed to send what is called an Expression of Interest to the Secretary of State along with the other five Berkshire unitaries, which basically indicates support.

We are really only in the preliminary phase of this process so do not expect any further developments for quite some time.

The asphalt plant appeal

The Inspector has written to the applicant asking for significant amounts of further information and more up to date statistics on a variety of issues around this highly controversial proposal.

He is clearly digging to get the full potential impacts, particularly on emissions. This is encouraging but we must wait and see.

Public issues

Having had a presentation from the Council waste team on the new three-weekly black bin collection system I asked two pertinent questions – has it reduced the number of vehicles being utilised; and has there been a reduction in headcount?

The answer to both was “no”, so I will be submitting a formal question to this month’s Executive asking whether the move to three-weekly collections is saving the anticipated £150,000pa or not. Assuming that the answer is also “no”, I will ask the supplementary question of if there is no financial benefit and, as it is clearly creating issues for some residents, can we please return to the old system.

I understand that there has been some increase in the amount of recycling as opposed to going to landfill but I would think that that is probably achievable by better public education. To be honest, I have always been hot on recycling so this is not really affecting me at all – apart, that is, from having to check every week which if any bins need putting out. This can easily be done by visiting this page of WBC’s website.

Out of interest, West Berkshire is in the top quartile for recycling in the country – but there is always more to do…

Which brings me to the pedestrianisation issue in Newbury which I mentioned last month: although not strictly a ward issue, many people from Lambourn visit the district’s largest town.

The public consultation has completed with over 3,500 representations – which is high – so it has obviously struck a chord with the public. WBC is now processing these with a likely announcement next month. Hopefully the administration will accept what seems to be the unpopularity of this experiment and return it to what it was.

Obviously, your opinions may be different from mine. On the question of the bins (which is ward matter here, as it is everywhere in West Berkshire), I’m happy to receive representations in favour of any reasonable point of view.

Planning issues

There has been a retrospective planning application (reference 25/02497/FULL) to remove conditions on the planning consent granted in 2021 on Hern Farm/Limetree Meadows just off the B4000 at Membury.

This was a highly controversial application because it effectively extended the industrial area to the North of the B4000. There was concern that it could set a precedent.

It came to the Western Area Planning Committee, which was so concerned about the proposal that some major conditions were applied, most importantly that it was a personal consent to the applicant. It is these conditions which are the subject of the current application with the key one being the retention of eighteen containers, albeit painted green.

Lambourn Valley Flood Forum

I have had two presentations on the restoration of the winterborne in Upper Lambourn in a field on the Rooksnest Estate above Upper Lambourn’s settlement. It seems an obvious thing to do and should slow water flowing from the springs.

My concern is that it does not go far enough with the proposal that water should then flow into the road gullies which we know struggle to cope at times anyway. However, it is a good start, and I certainly support it.

(By the way, you can click here to see the most recent report from LVFF (of which I’m now the Vice Chair). You can also click here to see the most recent report from SAGLUV which keeps a separate eye on flooding and sewage issues downstream of Eastbury.)

Speeding

The scheduled meeting (see the September/October update below) is, annoyingly, still to be rearranged.

Mobile and internet reception

Similarly, this meeting (also see the September/October update below) has also still to be rearranged so both are now almost certainly going to be scheduled for January.

Casework

You will understand that I cannot share specific details but there are some real issues out there ranging from housing to planning and everything in between.

Success! Contractors have started work to repair the Harris Close bridge allowing elderly residents to access Goose Green and get to the shops in relative safety again early in the new year.

And again! A family I have been helping to get a social-housing property (after being evicted by a private landlord well over a year ago) has finally been successful in being selected and will be moving into their new house in Lambourn before Christmas. They are a delightful, hard-working family, so I am really pleased for them.

I try to do what I can through my contacts at the Housing and Planning Teams at WBC, the local Police and Sovereign or other housing associations.

The next update

I usually do not put out a newsletter in December (or August) as there is normally less to report. If something important occurs, however, I will produce an abbreviated version to keep you up to date.

It only remains for me to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year.

Get in touch

If you have any concerns or need any help, please get in touch on howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk or 07836 718 100.

October/November 2025

Halloween and Bonfire night have passed, the leaves continue to fall and the clocks have gone back. For someone who’s definitely an owl rather than a lark, the short days are really rather miserable. Hopefully the weather will change and we’ll get some bright sunny, but cold, winter days soon – and hopefully the grass will stop growing…

Council devolution and reorganisation

Huge changes over the last month. An Emergency Full Council meeting was held this week to agree to recommend to the Executive that we should apply to central government to form Ridgeway Council.

It seems rather convoluted but, to be fair to the administration, it is an Executive decision. However, they wanted to get buy-in from the whole Council. This they did, with only three members out of 43 either abstaining or voting against.

For my sins I also sit on the Scrutiny Committee and an emergency session of that has been called for Monday. I will also be attending the extraordinary Executive meeting this Wednesday. Both of these will be pretty much exclusively concerned with this one issue. The Ridgeway report alone is over 600 pages –who says district councillors don’t have fun?

The essence of the proposal is to merge West Berkshire Council with Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire to create a new unitary Ridgeway Council covering just under 500,000 people. WBC is one of the smallest unitary authorities in England and the intention is to get efficiencies out of a single larger council.

This is in line with the government’s devolution policy to eliminate second-tier district councils (which The Vale and South Oxfordshire are) and then create mayoral authorities, of somewhere around 1.5 million people. For us, this would logically cover the Thames Valley.

My key reservation of the plan was that it might make councillors more distant from and less accountable to their residents. This has has been overcome and Lambourn will see no change. This will mean that, if I am fortunate to be re-elected in 2027, you will have me representing you for a further four years.

The proposal is a Council of 96 members of which 38 will come from West Berkshire. The reduction of five would achieved by reducing three-member wards down to two but leaving the ward boundaries as they are. For example, the nearest three-member ward to us in Lambourn is Hungerford and Kintbury, which have one member less.

As ever the devil will be in the detail but the hope is to have the new Council operational in 2028 with a shadow Council in place from 2027.

The asphalt plant appeal

No news is expected on this until next month at the earliest (see last month’s update below for more on this).

Public issues

I continue to get complaints about the black-bin changes and the matter was also raised by a recent public question at Executive. The administration has promised to come back with statistics on requests and approvals for additional bins

I have taken these up with the waste team and the Portfolio Holder at WBC who are “looking at the problem” – we shall see.

Another issue is the extended pedestrianisation of Northbrook Street and Market Square Newbury from 5pm to 11pm. There is currently a public consultation open on whether to retain the temporary extension or not.

If you share my opinion that it is farcical to expect café society in Newbury in the evenings with the possible exceptions of a handful of balmy summer nights, I urge you to put in your views. It is damaging the retail area of Newbury and creating additional congestion on the A339 in the evening rush hour for no real benefit. Of course, if you feel otherwise then say so.

The link to the consultation is here. It closes on 19 November.

The Lambourn Valley Flood Forum

The Forum met in late October with 21 people attending by Zoom which I hosted. They included flood wardens or representatives of most of the villages and urban areas down to Newbury where it joins the River Kennet.

Thames Water and WBC were well represented but unfortunately the Environment Agency representative sent his apologies (to be fair, that is rare). Vicky Reunier was elected Chair, and I have agreed to become Vice Chair to ensure continuity and links to WBC.

The LVFF covers the whole river, but I will only report here on the upper stretch from Upper Lambourn to Great Shefford which affects us all the most.

Generally, Thames Water is successfully continuing its programme of lining sewers and sealing manholes. The Great Shefford Flood relief scheme has been completed, as has the extension of the East Shefford Sewage Plant.

On non-sewage matters, WBC has continued its gulley clearance programme. However, there remain concerns about clearing the lateral connections between the road gulleys as seen last year with the localised flooding in Lambourn High Street.

WBC has had help from other landowners and partners – I would single out here Jockey Club Estates, which has cleared many of the ditches and is putting pressure on other riparian owners to meet their obligations and clear their own ditches.

So, in theory, we’re in good shape for this winter: in reality, we all know that it takes little to create huge problems and many of us are watching the groundwater levels regularly with concern.

There is a Flood Warden Conference later this month which will address a number of the rainwater run-off issues. There is also a Flood Report leaflet which will be available on Penny Post, Lambourn.org and notice boards in the ward.

West Berkshire Council’s finances

Probably the elephant in the room…

The Executive meeting agenda this week included the Q2 outturn and forecast for the rest of this financial year. It did not make for happy reading.

Whilst, as you might expect, being a Conservative Ward Councillor for Lambourn, I have some views on unnecessary expenditure on what I regard vanity projects. Nonetheless, I have a degree of sympathy for the current Liberal Democrat administration which is being hit by some significant and unexpected costs.

The revised budget is £190m for 2025/6, of which getting on for 65% is taken by adult social care and children’s services. Those two areas continue to grow year on year. Realistically the model is broken. It is not just West Berkshire that’s suffering but every other upper tier authority in the country (by which I mean county and unitary councils, both of which have responsibility for social care and children’s services).

To give you an example, two young people are each costing the Council over £1m each, each year. I don’t begrudge that cost in any way for people in genuine need, but it does highlight the serious situation that all councils are in and which has to be resolved by central government.

That said, the Council is currently forecasting a £6.8m budget gap. Savings targets have been instigated as has a tightening up on all non-statutory expenditure and recruitment. The Council has a reserve of £10m. To a degree, that buffer is there for precisely that reason – but we only have figures to the end of Q2 or the end of October, so there is little or no slack.

Whilst the Council is not going to be bankrupt, it is inconceivable in my view that it, along with most others, will not need to go to government for emergency funding for the second year in a row.

Also, as with probably every other council in the country, it will need to take the maximum 4.99% increase in the council tax to try and balance the books.

Speeding

The scheduled meeting was sadly postponed.  Will keep you informed.

Mobile and internet reception

Similarly, this meeting has also been postponed.

Casework

You will understand that I cannot share specific details but there are some real issues out there ranging from housing to planning and everything in between.

I have finally achieved something on the Harris Close Bridge. A contractor has been selected whom I have managed to finally get in touch with: but he is still waiting for final sign off from Sovereign. It’s a six-week programme so, who knows, perhaps a Christmas present for the residents, there…

I try to do what I can through my contacts at the Housing and Planning Teams at WBC, the local Police and Sovereign or other housing associations.

Get in touch

If you have any concerns or need any help, please get in touch on howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk or 07836 718 100.

September/October 2025

I hope that everyone had a good summer: autumn is now definitely upon us. As I look out of my window whilst writing this it is still raining, the skies are grey and the winds are getting up ahead of Storm Amy. At least the lawns are green again…

Council devolution and reorganisation

The latest rumours are for Slough to become a London Borough and the rest of Berkshire to be a unitary council centred on Reading – the saga continues.

The asphalt plant appeal

The appeal was held in the Council Chamber on Thursday 2 October which I attended and spoke at.

By way of background, the application for “the installation and operation of an asphalt plant and associated ancillary development on Land Adjacent To M4 Membury Airfield”, ref 23/02142/MINMAJ, was considered by WBC’s Western Area Planning Committee (of which I’m a member) on 19 March and, after a long debate, refused. The applicants appealed this decision.

The morning was taken up by discussions on the impact of particulates on horses and the statistics are quite amazing. Horses have massive lungs compared to humans. Top racehorses – of which Lambourn has a lot – take a breath every stride and take in more air in a two-and-a-half mile gallop than a typical human does in a day.

The opponents to the application, co-ordinated by the Woodlanders Protection Group, had a series of speakers including the Lambourn Trainers Association, a highly qualified equine vet, the Jockey Club Estates, Lambourn Parish Council and various trainers and breeders close to the proposed development. I also spoke against.

By the lunch break I was feeling very confident that the independent Inspector would uphold the planning refusal.

The afternoon was more technical, focussing on matters such as local need for asphalt and highways issues. At the end I suspect it is finely balanced, and we will have to wait for the Inspector’s decision in a month or so.

You can click here to see Lambourn.org’s report of the session.

Lambourn Neighbourhood Development Plan

We are finally nearly there. Lambourn Parish Council has approved the final version, and it has now been sent to WBC before the government Inspector considers it. Assuming that is approved, it comes back to residents of the parish for a referendum to agree to adopt it.

All I can say is hallelujah and well done to Sue Cocker in particular for getting us here.

Public issues

I continue to get complaints about the black-bin changes and particularly from…

• People with large families especially where there are very young children in nappies
• People with disabilities who struggle to get two bins out when they coincide every six weeks
• People living up narrow cul de sac lanes who bring their bins down to the main road for collection. There are two in Eastbury which have been specifically raised with me.

I have taken these up with the waste team and the Portfolio Holder at WBC who are “looking at the problem” – we shall see.

Lambourn Valley Flood Forum

I have been Chairman of the LVFF for the six-plus years that I have served you as Ward Councillor at WBC. We have achieved a massive amount in that time in terms of keeping Thames Water’s feet to the fire. This has resulted in…

• Lining many of the sewer pipes to prevent groundwater intrusion resulting in sewage problems.
• The new main sewer from Bockhampton Lane to the East Shefford Sewage Treatment Plant.
• The extension of that East Shefford Sewage Treatment Plant.
• The Great Shefford Flood Alleviation Scheme.
• Putting pressure on WBC and landowners to clear ditches and drains.

It is all so much better, but we cannot be complacent: and obviously winter is coming.

I think that the Forum needs an injection of energy from someone who has more time. Accordingly I have asked Vicky Rieunier to replace me.

Vicky was previously Chair of Lambourn Parish Council and has been very active in co-ordinating Lambourn and Upper Lambourn’s flood and sewage resilience. I have agreed to take the role of Vice Chair so that I can continue to put political pressure on the utility companies and WBC and I will continue to host the Zoom meetings as I have a full licence.

Similarly valuable work is also being done, concentrating on the areas downstream of Lambourn, by SAGLUV.

Speeding

Finally, we seem to be getting some traction. Top marks to Steve Mead and Lambourn Parish Council for getting some “happy/unhappy” face signs up in Eastbury and Lambourn. In my view, we need more, and I have suggested that these may be part of my next member’s bid.

Partly as a result of a number of accidents on the B4000, one of which had a fatality. We are also getting somewhere on a WBC, Police and Parish Council meeting to look at the B4000 to go down to 40mph and Eastbury and parts of Lambourn to 20mph. Will keep you informed.

Mobile and internet reception

A meeting is being set up to review the position. This was initially for Upper Lambourn but I am aware that there are some not-spots in Lambourn itself, so I have asked for the overview to be spread wider. Possible solutions seem to revolve around mini masts which I think we have on St. Michaels and All Angels in Lambourn.

I’d also like to draw the attention of rscidents in East Garston (though not in my ward) to a survey on broadband services in the village which has recently been launched.

 Casework

You will understand that I cannot share specific details but there are some real issues out there ranging from housing to planning and everything in between.

This month I have been trying to resolve the re-opening of the bridge between Harris Close and Goose Green in Lambourn to ease the problems for less able residents of this Sovereign-owned scheme. As usual it’s like punching cotton wool, but I am making some progress.

I try to do what I can through my contacts at the Housing and Planning Teams at WBC, the local Police and Sovereign or other housing associations.

Get in touch

If you have any concerns or need any help, please get in touch on howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk or 07836 718 100.

July/August 2025

At last, some rain but we seem to have been missed by any downpours. The year seems to be flying by with Wimbledon well past and we are over halfway through the unpredictable British summer.

I am sure that you will join me in congratulating the Lionesses winning the Euros (again).

From a personal point of view, I feel that I am getting my life back, at least temporarily as West Berkshire Council is on tick-over in August with virtually no Council meetings. So, time to catch up and refresh the batteries – not, of course, that the casework (see the section below) ever stops (though that’s what I’m here for…).

Devolution and reorganisation

Little has happened on this in the last month although I am hearing rumours that central government may not be favouring Ridgeway, and instead prefers an all-Berkshire solution with two unitary councils. Still some way to go on this, of course.

The appeal regarding Membury’s proposed asphalt plant

Frantic work was undertaken to get all of the submissions into the Inspectorate in time. This included a meeting that I arranged hours before the deadline between key WBC officers and two of the most knowledgeable of the group opposing, resulting in Officers amending their reports and submitting them on the same day – who says that local authorities cannot act at pace when needed?

A meeting is arranged with WBC officers and all objectors to get our position agreed for the appeal hearing, which will be held in the Council Chamber in early October. I have registered to speak.

Lambourn Neighbourhood Development Plan

My hopes that it was going to be the last meeting proved optimistic. Yet more work has been completed by our consultants tweaking the submission.

Party in the Paddock

It is a long time since I have heard live music, but I went with friends to the concert after racing at Newbury Racing last month featuring Ella Henderson and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Apart from my Apple watch telling me that the noise volume was too high it was just great fun and I would strongly recommend future events.

Welford Park

Out of the ward, I know, but nonetheless I suspect of interest.

This planning application came to the Western Area Planning Committee, of which I am a member, on 23 July. I went on the site visit to see a proposed modest tepee area for wedding receptions and a separate area for wedding ceremonies linked by paths through a wooded glade. It has been used for some years under what are called prescriptive rights. The operators wished to formalise that for six months of the year for five years.

Traffic officers said it was unsustainable because there was no public transport to it even though there was adequate car parking. When did you last go to a wedding when guests came by bus or walked up a small country lane in their finery?

Then the tree people got involved, concerned over damage to saplings in ancient woodlands (of which their seemed to be none). There were over thirty letters of support, mostly local businesses.

I voted in favour but to my astonishment it was rejected – words failed me to the extent that I went up to the applicant and apologised.

You can read a more detailed summary of the issues in this article in Penny Post, which includes their own views on the matter.

A possible adventure park

There is now a pre-enquiry about what is listed as a theme park on the B4000 just beyond Wickham (it isn’t a theme park but that is the planning category). It is in fact a children’s country adventure play park with some educational use.

In principle, this is probably not a big issue apart from the 850 car parking spaces which will access and egress onto the B4000 – hence my interest in it, even though it’s outside the ward. More to follow.

Three-weekly bin collections

As most of you will by now know, from 22 September black bins will be collected every three weeks, rather than every two at present. More information can be found on the Council’s website. This includes the administration’s reasons as to why it’s making this change.

I can’t deny that I have concerns about this, particularly for larger families, those who have babies and small children with nappies or those looking after elderly relatives. However, the above-mentioned weblink does provide information on help you can get if you feel you can’t cope with these new arrangements. I also appreciate that some of us might get the day wrong and miss a collection – another thing to have to remember…

Let’s see how it all goes. If you have any problems with these new arrangements that you think I can help with, let me know.

Pedestrianisation in Newbury

Although this is obviously outside the ward, many people visit the town. Those who do will have noticed that the central area around Northbrook Street and the Market Square is now closed to traffic until 11pm.

As with the bins, I have my reservations about this scheme. However, there is a consultation open on the subject until 19 November. You can click here to got to this and to see more details about the scheme. Whether you share my misgivings or not, please be sure to respond to this based on your own experience of the arrangements.

Casework

You will understand that I can’t share specific details of cases. However, there are some real issues out there ranging from housing to planning and everything in between. This tale from one particular family which has been in my view very unfairly treated by WBC gives a flavour of some of the issues that I get involved with.

They were evicted from their home by a landlord who wished to sell it and went on the Housing List. Even as the previous and now Shadow Housing Portfolio Holder, I had no idea how complicated the system is.

To be clear, these are two hard-working decent people with a daughter who have had to live with relations for the last nine months or so. They only seek a basic three-bedroom house in Lambourn. Last week they were told that they had been successful in bidding for a house only to be subsequently told that it was in such disrepair that it was going to be sold.

Then, this week, another property came up: however, they were informed that, because they had been selected for the previous dwelling, they could not bid on this one.

The system is designed to be, and is, transparent but a little compassion would not go amiss. At times, I despair…

I try to do what I can through my contacts at the Housing and Planning teams at WBC, the local Police and Sovereign or other housing associations – so if there’s anything you feel I can do to help with any problem you have, on housing or anything else, don’t hesitate  to let me know.

Get in touch

As usual, I will be skipping the August report, as I sometimes do in December, unless any burning issues pop up. May I wish you all very happy summer holidays.

If you have any concerns or need help, please get in touch on howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk or 07836 718 100.

June/July 2025

What is going on with our weather? Two heatwaves since my last newsletter and still virtually no rain. I have resorted to having to water my lawn and new plants twice a week just to keep them alive…

Devolution and reorganisation

Ridgeway Council is the proposed new unitary authority that would combine West Berkshire Council, South Oxfordshire, and the Vale of White Horse districts. This initiative is part of a broader government plan to replace two-tier local government structures with larger, single-tier unitary councils.

The public consultation ends on 16 July and I look forward to seeing the results. I hope that as many of you as possible took the opportunity to attend one of the meetings and have made your views known.

Speed cameras

The Parish Council which I attended virtually this week approved the extension to the speed warning signs and we should see the results in the next few weeks.

The appeal for the asphalt plant

We now have a date for the appeal: 2 October 2025. The Woodlanders Protection Group with the Racehorse Trainers Association and Jockey Club Estates are busy getting further hard evidence of the danger of asphalt fumes on the breathing of elite horses and veterinary advice is also being taken. I am setting up meetings with the case officer presenting the Council’s case at the appeal and the Senior Highways Officer. There’s a lot to do…

Barry Hills

I just want to add my thoughts to commemorate the life of Barry, who died last week.

Sadly, I only got to know him in the last year of his life when he was clearly in ill health. In his prime he was one of the top trainers in Lambourn with a host of successful winners. I met him and his charming wife, Penny, over some planning issues which regrettably I was unable to resolve. He was ever the gentleman, although I suspect a fearsome leader to be able obtain the results that he achieved. My thoughts are with Penny and his family.

The Eastbury Flood Alleviation Scheme

I cannot believe it’s ten years since this fantastic scheme was completed. I still clearly recall attending the opening by our then MP Richard (now Lord) Benyon and the Lord Chamberlain. Congratulations to everyone in the village who raised the necessary seed funds to be able to achieve grant support.

I moved into Eastbury in 2005 and still recall the damaging flooding that took place in 2007 and 2014. The scheme has operated exactly as it was designed to do and has also benefitted villages downstream, particularly East Garston. I look forward to celebrating in the village this afternoon after finishing this newsletter.

Lambourn Junction CIC

The indefatigable Christian Noll arranged a meeting at West Berkshire Council which I attended along with the Deputy Leader, the Chief Executive, the Sports and Leisure Executive Portfolio Holder and a number of key officers.

The main purpose of the meeting was to show that Lambourn needs help. On a number of key performance indicators, we are behind not just West Berkshire but the whole of England. I think that most of us who know Lambourn well would recognise some of the factors:

• A huge disparity in wealth levels.
• Drug and alcohol dependency.
• Perhaps an over-reliance on employment from the horse racing industry. There is a need for a more diverse employment base.
• Seen by some as an outpost from the rest of the district.
• Proximity to Oxfordshire and Wiltshire, in the latter case with a different police force.
• Not enough genuinely affordable housing
• Perhaps not enough civic pride.
• A lack of public transport particularly to Hungerford and in the evenings to Newbury.

Lambourn has a lot going for it, not least an active and positive Parish Council. The Community Interest Company (CIC) does so many good things including the food bank, the reinvigorated youth council, lunch clubs, our village website and the Lambourn Shed, all of which encourage community spirit and with more initiatives in the pipeline. We are surrounded by some wonderful countryside in the National Landscape and provided that you can drive close to some lovely market towns including Newbury, Hungerford, Marlborough and Wantage.

The meeting concluded with a much clearer understanding of the key issues by the Council leadership and a clear direction forward – a really constructive meeting which will be repeated.

The Lambourn Neighbourhood Development Plan

I have what I suspect might be the final meeting on this, next week before its submission to WBC for approval and then onto the Inspector. I can but commend Sue Cocker for her ability to corral the Steering Group and ensure that we have got there in the end. I believe we started about five years ago and it has been a long haul. The only worry is that we have to review it about two years after it is issued – a never-ending treadmill.

Casework

You will understand that I cannot share specific details but there are some real issues out there ranging from housing to planning  and everything in between. I try to do what I can through my contacts at the Housing and Planning Teams at West Berkshire, the local Police and Sovereign or other housing associations.

Get in touch

If you have any concerns or need help, please get in touch on howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk or 07836 718 100.

May/June 2025

I didn’t expect to say, “thank you for some rain”, but I am sure that many of us, with even a small lawn like me, will be relieved that their grass is now looking green again and not, as mine increasingly was, brown.

WBC’s local plan

No, not the Neighbourhood Development Plan this time. The Local Plan covers the whole of West Berkshire and runs until 2041. It is meant to give clear planning guidance on where development should take place over that timescale for both residential and commercial property. The plan has been over four years in the making, primarily by the previous administration.

It has become controversial because as a result of delays in submission to the Government Inspector caused by the change of policy with the incoming administration. In that interim central government-imposed a near doubling of the annual housing allocation to well over 1,000 each year during the plan period. As the local plan has now been adopted (see below), these higher figures will not need to be applied immediately.

The Inspector increased the allocation in Thatcham Northeast and added sites near J12 of the M4 in Theale and beyond the IKEA store as well as smaller sites such as in Cold Ash and Chieveley.

It came for approval to Council on 10 June and it passed by a small margin. I voted to approve it: my reasons were…

• There are only four sites in the ward and two of those already have planning consent anyway.
• Lynch Lane in Lambourn had been identified in the previous plan but is now confirmed as 60 units rather than the 105 that the developers were seeking.
• The other site is at Membury Industrial Estate between the Walkers scheme and the grain silos. It is allocated for about 55,000 sq. ft. and is an infill site. I was part of the group at WBC which put the plan together and I managed to get it allocated as B2 or E use – that’s light industrial, or office type use, rather than big warehouses. So, any application that emerges should, if approved, mean less HGV traffic and genuine local employment opportunities.
• Through all of the Neighbourhood Development Plan consultation, it is clear that Lambourn Residents accept the need for more local housing, particularly affordable and social housing, so the younger members of our community are not priced out.
• Without a local plan in place, it becomes a field day for developers to put in planning applications on often unsuitable sites using the argument that West Berkshire does not have a 5-year land supply. We have already seen a few of these coming through the system but the adoption of the plan puts a stop to it.

Devolution and reorganisation

Change is coming to the way councils work across the country, and the Council is trying to make sure it’s done in a way that truly benefits our community.

Ridgeway Council is the proposed new unitary authority that would combine West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire, and the Vale of White Horse districts. This initiative is part of a broader government plan to replace two-tier local government structures with larger, single-tier unitary councils.

Public consultation has started and there are a number of drop-in sessions. The nearest to Lambourn is on 25 June at Hungerford Library between 11am and 2pm.

It’s not just black bins that are changing…

Don’t worry – the green garden-waste bins will still be collected every other week. However, the charges will change. Those in Council Tax bands A to C will see a reduction. Band D will stay the same and Bands E to H will see some increases.

Speed cameras

Massive congratulations to Steve Mead and the Parish Council. I came down Hungerford Hill this week and as I came towards the village, there was a speed awareness camera – and, yes, I did get a smiley green face…

I understand from Steve that others are proposed, including in Eastbury, subject to Parish Council budget approval.

The asphalt plant

News just in: on 12 June, it’s been confirmed that the applicant will be appealing the refusal of this application.

I was the subject of a formal complaint to WBC by the applicant. I stated that I was merely reflecting the views of all but one of my residents and that I regarded that as my absolute democratic right. The complaint was thrown out, although I did apologise for an error of fact in my statement to the committee.

They are now having a go at one of our Parish Councillors and I will be providing full support. I regard this as intimidation at best and probably bully tactics.

Lambourn Annual Parish Assembly

I attended, gave a speech and took questions at this event on 21 May. There was a lot of useful information provided but turnout was not great. This is not a criticism of the good folk of Lambourn but merely a gentle suggestion that involvement in local matters benefits us all.

For those of you who were unable to make it, Penny Post has published the full text of Steve Mead’s address to the meeting. This provided a summary of what the Parish Council has been up to in the year past and some of its plans for the year to come.

I was kindly invited to join the Parish Councillors for a brainstorming session over some delicious pizza in the Memorial Hall afterwards – a useful exchange of ideas.

Casework

You will understand that I cannot share specific details for peoples’ personal reasons but there are some real issues out there ranging from housing issues to internet connection problems. I try to do what I can through my contacts at the Housing Team at WBC, the local Police and Sovereign or other housing associations.

Get in touch

If you have any concerns or need help please get in touch on howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk or 07836 718 100.

April/May 2025

Things do seem to change quickly, and as I write, this week is no exception by any means! A trade deal between the UK and India was rapidly followed up by another one with the US, a 0.25% interest rate drop with the suggestion of a further one or possibly two by the year end, a new Pope in Leo XIV and VE Day – hard to keep up…

Road works

Road repairs continue and I now have the three-year plan from the Highways Team at WBC. The ones affecting the Lambourn ward are as follows:

2025/6

• Long Hedge – retexturing.
• Uplands and Drain Hill, Upper Lambourn – surface dressing.

2026/7

• Ermin Street to the Wiltshire Border – 40/50mm overlay.
• Long Hedge – 40mm overlay.
• Straight Lane, Eastbury – surface dressing.
• The Park – 40mm overlay.

2027/8

• Wantage Road from Northfields to Seven Barrows – surface dressing.
• Ramsbury Road from Ermin Street to Hungerford Hill – 40/50mm overlay.
• High Street to Hangmans Stone – surface dressing.

Needless to say, pothole repairs will continue: please do report them. WBC is using new AI technology to help speed up repairs, but it is a thankless and unending task.

Lambourn Open Day

I had a great afternoon there, seeing a number of friends and watching the action. The weather could have been slightly better but at least the rain held off and it wasn’t, like last year, cancelled because of waterlogged car parks. Congratulations to all of those involved in the organisation.

Neighbourhood Development Plan

We are getting there! The Strategic Environment Assessment and the Habitats Regulation Assessment are out for consultation with a closing date of July 13^th, 2025. Links to see these are:

• Lambourn NP SEA ER V3.0 – Locality reviewDownload SEA
• Lambourn Neighbourhood Plan HRA for issueDownload HRA

Also, the pre-submission draft of the NDP is available to see at the link below:

• Lambourn NDP Pre-Submission Draft Sept 5_5Download Pre-Submission

More information on this can be found on this page on the Penny Post website This includes the full text, and the links, of the message about this that was recently sent out by the Lambourn NDP Steering Group.

Planning

The meeting that I arranged between the planners and Lambourn Parish Council was generally agreed to have been a great success.

This was set up owing to concerns about houses being separated from racing yards (particularly very small ones) to achieve enhanced value but possibly at the expense of the racing industry which ,to remind you, generates £25m in the valley and employs about 30% of the working population of Lambourn.

We had six planning officers attending, rather than the three we had anticipated: Bob Dray and Debra Inston (who are the two most senior in Western Area Planning); two of the main case officers involved in racing yards; and two planning policy officers.

The Parish Council was represented by Steve Mead (Chairman), Bridget Jones and Chris Harris (the Councillors most involved in planning matters) with Sue Cocker (Chair of LNDP). Also present was Will Riggall of Jockey Club Estates, who hosted the meeting; and me.

The two-hour meeting started with a presentation from Will on the racing industry and particularly JCE’s initiatives to get planning consent on two new yards and its plans for the public gallops.

We then covered a range of issues including racing ties, racing staff accommodation and the vehicle/horse conflicts in the middle of the village caused by the increase in vehicle movements, speeding and particularly more HGVs.

There were a number of useful takeaways and new initiatives.

Chief Executive interviews

I was pleased to be asked to join the panel interviewing potential candidates for this role at West Berkshire Council. We had 34 applicants who were whittled down to five for a two-day, four-stage interview process. One dropped out and one was deemed unsuitable by the end of the first day, so the panel comprising the Leader of the council, two Conservative and two Liberal Democrat Councillors interviewed the final three.

Joseph Holmes, who was Interim Chief Executive, was head and shoulders above the rest in the unanimous view of the panel and I congratulate him on his new role. I think that he will be an outstanding Chief Executive of the Council.

Devolution and reorganisation

No feedback as yet about the proposal for a Ridgeway Council. I will update you as soon as possible.

Refuse collection

The administration has confirmed its decision to collect on a three weekly basis rather than fortnightly. This relates only to black bins: green bins will continue to be collected every other week and food caddies weekly.

The Conservative, Green, Labour and the Independent Members all voted against but the Liberal Democrats carried the day. There is a groundswell of opposition generally including a petition.

From a personal view, living alone it is inconvenient having to remember which bin to put out when: but for families, particularly with those with babies in nappies, or elderly people with special personal needs, it is a very distressing.

Casework

It is certainly hotting up with as usual mainly planning, housing and road issues.

Get in touch

If you have any concerns or need help please get in touch with me at howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk or 07836 718 100.

March/April 2025

As seems usual for us in the UK after a fabulous spring for the last few weeks, Easter looks as if it might be a bit of a washout. Hopefully, however, the Lambourn Open Day will not suffer the same fate as it did last year.

I am, fort my sins, now Chairman of Newbury Conservative Association and we currently have a snap by-election in Thatcham NE after the resignation from District and Town Council of our MP, Lee Dillon. Unsurprisingly I am rushed off my feet, particularly as I am on a massive learning curve on how to run a campaign. I have been doing my best to keep up with casework – if anything has slipped, I offer my profuse apologies. Election day is 24 April so I’ll catch up on anything quickly after that.

Nutrient neutrality

I attended a briefing from the team at West Berkshire Council on this issue, which was surprisingly informative. It was made clear that it was confidential to Councillors, but I am allowed to confirm (as this is in the public domain) that WBC has been given a £2.45m grant from central government specifically to work on the River Lambourn.

The Council has a designated team looking at NN who are working up a multi-faceted strategy. This should allow more affordable housing and improvements to racing establishments, particularly for staff accommodation.

Membury Industrial Estate

The application for the asphalt plant was rejected unanimously apart from two abstentions. Sadly, though, it appears that the applicant will take this to appeal with no certainty of refusal. The key consideration was the perception of harm to elite racehorses which was a reason for refusal for a similar application in Yorkshire in 2015.

My personal view is that we as a community have to accept the need for the employment area, but it should be occupied by small enterprises giving decent employment opportunities to local people.

Neighbourhood Development Plan

Progress is being made slowly – as progress on such things often is – but again nothing new to report.

Planning

I have managed to arrange a meeting, kindly hosted by Jockey Club Estates, with three planning officers who are mostly involved in equestrian applications with planning representatives of Lambourn Parish Council, JCE and me to try and iron out a clear policy in the valley for the racing industry, given its importance to Lambourn.

The Lambourn Centre

Along with Councillor Chris Harris representing the Parish Council, I attended the re-established Joint Advisory Committee meeting in the library. It has never been in place since I was elected as your Ward Councillor in 2019; nor,  I suspect, for many years before that.

This included four members of Everyone Active (the Council’s Leisure Managers) and key Council officers from the Leisure Team A very positive meeting with clear indicators showing an increased amount of use by residents and a clear strategy from EA to push ahead. We agreed to meet twice a year to monitor progress.

Roads

You cannot have missed the number of roadworks and, in some cases, road closures as our highways are repaired. I am sure we all share the annoyance at the inconvenience – but it is better than potholes…

Police

I attended a briefing from the Thames Valley Police & Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable. Main takeaways were:

• Crime is down.
• 68 additional neighbourhood police officers promised and funded.
• Rural crime is down.
• Arrests are up and drugs are tested for.
• Retail crime is a growing issue and the Police and major retailers are looking urgently at prevention options.

Devolution and reorganisation

West Berkshire has put a proposal to central government to create a new Ridgeway Unitary Council with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, leaving the rest of Oxfordshire as a single unitary. This effectively returns the old Berkshire boundaries from pre-1974. A mainattraction is that all three are similar, mainly rural communities, with larger towns although Newbury would be the largest.

I suspect, given limited government resources, that we will not be high on their agenda. I would be very surprised if anything happens in the time before the next local elections in 2027. Also, the Labour Government may be thinking politically given their control of the major urban areas of Oxford, Swindon and Reading.

I will continue to keep you informed in this newsletter as things develop but my personal concern continues to be that it seems to me to take decision-making further from the people.

Casework

My prediction that the quiet period would come to an end in March proved to be spot on. Mostly as usual planning, housing and traffic issues.

Get in touch

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718 100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk.

February/March 2025

Doesn’t it feel better to have some blue skies and some sun, albeit only for part of the week? The early spring flowers are out and there is suddenly birdsong in the air. Let’s hope it lasts.

 Sewage and flooding

Elected representatives, at every level, need to live with the constant fear of having their predictions proved wrong. For example, last month, I wrote:

“Everything firmly crossed but, despite more heavy rainfall, and apart from a small blip by the Fire Station in Lambourn which was speedily resolved, we have got through January with no flooding or sewage issues. Thames Water’s lining solution seems to be working despite groundwater levels being well up.”

Everything was clearly not crossed firmly enough! There has been a sewage escape from a manhole into the ditch which leads into the Lambourn in Fulke Walwyn Way. Sadly, the sewer lining has not been 100% successful. I am on the case with Thames Water.

Membury Industrial Estate

As I mentioned last month, the asphalt plant application is coming to Western Area Planning Committee on 19 March as a result of the huge number of letters of opposition and the petition from the previous attempt. As your ward member I will be representing you and speaking against, as will the Parish Council and the Woodlands Protection Group and/or their spokesperson(s).

As a planning committee councillor, I can be predisposed but not predetermined (there is a fine distinction) so I will be taking part in the debate and voting.

What has changed is that the entire equestrian grouping – from trainers to Olympic hopefuls to people who just keep ponies or horses – has come together to object to the application. There are two key issues:

• Firstly that elite horses in whichever discipline gulp in masses amount of air when exercising so are more prone to air quality problems.
• Secondly, there’s the perception issue from owners who are only too footloose and could leave Lambourn to Newmarket in a flash. This argument was put up in a virtually identical asphalt plant proposal in Yorkshire in 2015 and was refused on appeal.

Neighbourhood Development Plan

For once nothing to report…

Lambourn Parish Council

I attended Parish Council via Teams last Wednesday. The main takeaways were:

• A determination to protect the racing industry.
• The disappointment at lack of attendance by councillors.
• The need for new councillors.
• The Lambourn Centre Joint Advisory Committee is established, of which I am a member.
• The Annual Assembly arranged for late May

Members bids

I am delighted that my bid for £5,000 towards the WC refurbishment in the Memorial Hall in Lambourn was successful and work should commence shortly. There will be many very relieved bus drivers and members of the public…

Planning

There are a number of planning issues on the go at present:

• Land adjacent to Whitehouse Farm, Upper Lambourn. The planning principle on behalf of Jockey Club Estates for two new racing yards was already established so this application only related to design and layout. It passed unanimously but I have agreed to ask for a review of the speed limit on the B400 into and through Upper Lambourn – see more under speed limits below.
• Windmill Farm on Baydon Road going out of Lambourn. There was a controversial consent on Officer’s delegated powers at taking stables out of racing use. It is capable of being differentiated so as not to be a precedent, as the racing stable component was tiny compared to the house and its grounds. However, it generated a conversation and I have arranged for a working sandwich lunch at Jockey Club Estates (thank you for offering to host ) involving the Senior Planning Officer for Western Area, the head of Development Control, the two planning officers mostly involved in Lambourn horse-related application, Steve Mead (Chair of Lambourn PC), Bridget Jones (lead Councillor for planning issues at Lambourn PC), Will Riggall of JCE and me. We will hopefully come to an understanding of the issues relating to the racing industry in West Berkshire.
• Frenchman’s View. This is an application for an extension of a yard in Upper Lambourn. I have called it into Western Area Planning Committee as ward member. The issues are surface water run-off, containment of horse waste, sewage capability and removal of staff accommodation. That said, I do not want to hold back a successful yard, but it will at least now get a wide audience.

Speed limits

I mentioned above the Upper Lambourn speed limits, but I have also kicked off the debate again on Lambourn and Eastbury village centres and the B4000 (Ermin Street).

Lambourn village gates

All credit to Christian Noll, who has put in a proposal for the Lambourn Shed to put a team together to refurbish these. Inevitably there are health and safety issues, but I wish them all well on what is a great community initiative.

Community organisers meeting

Again, all credit to Christian Noll – I do so admire his enthusiasm and commitment. This was a meeting put together with representatives of all community/charity groups active in Lambourn for a presentation on the real statistics about our area compared to West Berkshire and England as a whole.

I was genuinely shocked by some of the comparisons, and it reinforced my view that I in particular, but also all of us, need to push for greater support for Lambourn.

West Berkshire Council’s budget

There is no other way to put it – the Council is in a financial mess. Council Tax, including the Adult Social Care ring-fenced element, will go up by 4.99% this April.

The administration had a £3m funding gap and is required by law to have a balanced budget. It has taken an Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) loan of £16m from central government to cover the gap, replenish the reserves (which in two years have dropped from £7m to £2m) and put £3m into next year’s budget.

To put this into context, the Council’s budget for 2025/6 is £186m of which 62% is being spent on Adult Social Care and Children’s services. West Berkshire Council is by no means alone in being in this predicament: even so, the EFS loan has to be repaid so the administration is borrowing from the future and sale of assets which cannot be replaced.

£73m is being spent on capital projects paid for by further government loans although much of this will be revenue-neutral or even positive in the foreseeable future.

A number of service cuts are being introduced, most notably:

• Black bin collection to move from fortnightly to every three weeks.
• Mobile library service to cease.
• Dog bin collection to be passed to parish and town councils.
• Day-care provision to be reviewed.

The most notable thing for the ward is a £2.4m allocation to investigate solving nutrient neutrality issues in our valley.

Devolution & reorganisation

The final item I want to raise is central government’s devolution plans for England.

West Berkshire, along with the other five Berkshire councils, have been unitary authorities since the breakup of Berkshire County Council in 1998. This means that they have the same powers as county councils but on a smaller scale. The government wants to create new unitary authorities with a population of about 500,000 each. West Berkshire’s population is approximately 175,000, to give you a feel.

Counties (such as Oxfordshire) that have a second tier of district councils will have to follow the same approach so that the district council will be merged into new unitary authorities.

The government is trying to move at pace and there appear to be two options.

• What seems to be the preferred one at present is for West Berkshire to merge with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, leaving the rest of Oxfordshire as a single Unitary. This effectively returns the old Berkshire boundaries from years ago. The attraction is that all three are similar largely rural communities with larger towns although Newbury would be the largest. If this were to happen Slough would probably join with a London Borough and Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell Forest and Windsor & Maidenhead become a single Unitary.
• The second option is to split Berkshire in two so that Berkshire West would comprise West Berkshire, Wokingham and Reading, with Reading obviously the dominant town (particularly if it gets city status in the future).

I will keep you informed in this newsletter as things develop but my personal concern is that it seems to me to take decision-making further from the people.

Casework

For some reason, ward casework seems to have reduced in February and mostly relates to planning issues. No doubt it will all turn round in March…

Get in touch

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk.

January/February 2025

As I anticipated, December 2024 was pretty news-free and it was quite a slow start for January, but things have picked up rapidly, as they often do. There’s rarely a respite: but that’s what I signed up for…

Could I also wish you all an extremely belated Happy New Year.

Sewage and flooding

Everything firmly crossed but, despite more heavy rainfall, and apart from a small blip by the Fire Station in Lambourn which was speedily resolved, we have got through January with no flooding or sewage issues. Thames Water’s lining solution seems to be working despite groundwater levels being well up.

Ditches and gullies are generally being cleared but please do report any that you see as a problem whether they are WBC’s responsibilities or private landowners. WBC’s report a problem page is the best place to go for this.

Membury Industrial Estate

It has been a few months since this topic came up here. I had hoped that the proposed asphalt plant had gone away but no such luck.

You can see the current planning application by clicking here and entering the reference 23/02142.

This should be coming to the Western Area Planning Committee in March as a result of the huge number of letters of opposition and the petition from the previous attempt. As your ward member I will be representing you and speaking against, as will the Parish Council and the Woodlands Protection Group.

As a planning committee Councillor, I can be predisposed but not predetermined (there is a fine distinction) so it may well be that I will have to have a substitute for the committee meeting itself to avoid any claim from the applicant that I am biased.

Neighbourhood Development Plan

I know I keep saying this, but we are genuinely nearly there at last.

We have two steering group meetings this month which should hopefully be the end until the final public consultation, its consideration by the Inspector and finally the referendum at which all electors in Lambourn will be able to vote in whether the plan should be adopted. If it is, it will then become part of WBC’s local plan.

Wide local publicity will be given to the consultation and the referendum as soon as the dates are known, which they currently aren’t.

Lambourn Parish Council

Congratulations to Steve Mead on his appointment as Chairman. I have known Steve for some time since when we both lived in Eastbury and in my view he will make an outstanding Chairman. We met over some drinks in the Queens Arms last week and I am certain that we can work in partnership in the very best interests of our residents.

Eagle Quarter (now Old Town) Newbury

Whilst obviously not in the Lambourn ward, I thought that as it is such a key development proposed in our largest nearby town that I should mention it.

I won’t go on for long as it has been widely covered in both Penny Post and the Newbury Weekly News. However, I attended the Planning Councillors’ presentation in the old Laura Ashley shop next to Cafe Nero in Newbury and it is fair to say that the new scheme meets almost all of the objections of the previous one with the sole exception of a lack of any affordable housing.

If you can spare the time to attend either of the public events on Tuesday 4 and Friday 7 February (see the foot of the above-mentioned Penny Post articles for details), it will be an interesting 30 minutes or so well spent.

Casework

Housing has been the major issue again this month, as it often is.

A success is a lady and her daughter who were evicted in Lambourn some months ago but after a long time in temporary accommodation have now been relocated to a home in Hungerford.

I am still working for a family who were similarly evicted last month but for whom WBC’s Housing Team is still struggling for a solution. The issue is that there is far less social and affordable housing in Lambourn in particular, but also Hungerford, compared to the rest of the district: also,  most people are constrained by education, friends and family commitments or employment considerations as to where they can go.

I also had my monthly catch-up with WBC’s Housing Manager and ran through the various issues that my residents have on the housing front.

Generally the situation is improving with the team back up to full strength. Rough-sleeper numbers are back to single figures and there are a number of developments nearing completion which will generate more social and affordable housing. We also seem to be through any immediate pressure from migrants, though this may change at any time.

Get in touch

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718 100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk.

December 2024/January 2025

Howard Woollaston took a month off from this column.

November/December 2024

This will be my last newsletter of the year as I usually take December off unless something major crops up. Christmas is approaching with remarkable speed, so could I wish you all a happy one and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

 Sewage and flooding

Despite the heavy rain in the middle of the month, we have not seen any flooding so far although the groundwater levels are well above last year. The Parish Council continue to put pressure on landowners to clear out ditches and gullies and West Berks Council is on top of gullies where they are responsible.

There were reports of quite deep water on the B4000 Ermin Street by what used to be the Hare and Hounds, and I have asked Highways to check it to see if grips are blocked or if anything else can be done.

The Environment Agency is finishing the weed cut in the river in Lambourn and is then hopefully moving onto Eastbury. This should allow the Lambourn to flow more freely and avoid the build-up of water.

Buses

I have had reports that the number 4 bus service into Newbury has not been running to time particularly in the morning rush. I have reported it, and the timetable is being looked at. Please do let me know if you have further examples.

Neighbourhood Development Plan

The draft plan was submitted to West Berkshire Council for review and all credit to them that they clearly read it in detail and came back with 20 pages of constructive comment. We also received further comment from residents and some commercial occupiers. The consultants advising the working party are now working through all of these and will provide a hopefully final, final version by mid-January.

Parish Council

I am writing this just prior to attending this month’s Parish Council. I have read the agenda and attached papers and look forward to a good session. When the minutes are finalised (and Gary the Clerk is normally very quick at getting these out), they’ll be available on the parish website, Penny Post and Lambourn.org.

Eagle Quarter, Newbury

Whilst obviously not in Lambourn Ward, I thought that as it is such a key development proposed in our largest nearby town that it might be of interest. I sit on both Western Area Planning Committee or WAP (which basically covers Newbury and Hungerford and the rural areas surrounding but not Thatcham) and the District Planning Committee (which determines contentious major applications or ones which have a district-wide significance).

In brief, the proposal is to demolish the Kennet Centre and redevelop with a new pedestrian street going through the middle with artisan shops and bars and cafés along it with 407 flats above to be let and a small amount of offices.

WAP spent four hours taking presentations and debating but failed to get to a conclusion, so it was sent up to District where we spent four and a half hours going through the same process ending in the same result. Including site visits and reading the papers twice (a number of extra submissions had been made), I reckon I spent 20 hours alone and now it is proposed to bring it back to District Planning again, provisionally at 4.00 pm on 8 January. I will also put in a request that the meeting can be adjourned and reconvened the next day.

I must stress that I am not pre-determined on this particular proposal before the committee, but I do think the Kennet Centre is well past its sell-by date and something needs to be done to reinvigorate this part of Newbury. Probably another four or even six and a half hours to look forward to…

Casework

I had a useful meeting with the Sovereign Manager responsible for West Berkshire and Mother Julie Mintern at the Vicarage in Lambourn. We had a positive discussion about how they will deal with damp and mould going forward and how to expedite the replacement of the broken lift in Harris Close. They also explained their strategy going forward of gradually selling off older properties and reinvesting. I am told that reinvestment has to be in West Berkshire but not necessarily in Lambourn. I have asked for confirmation of this.

I also had my monthly catchup with the WBC Housing Manager and ran through the various issues that my residents have on the housing front, and he confirmed that the Council is considering using some of the CIL and S106 monies that they have collected to buy more housing, and that Hungerford and Lambourn are identified as being in particular need. It will be a “drop in the ocean” but every little helps.

Get in touch

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk

With my very best wishes for the season.

Howard

October/November 2024

I have been away for two weeks in October so this month’s newsletter is fairly light. We are now past firework night, the clocks have gone back so it is dark just after 4pm and places such as the Garden Centre in Hungerford are already full of Christmas goodies. If I sound like Bah Humbug – sorry…

Sewage and flooding

I chaired the Lambourn Valley Flood Forum which covers the whole of the Lambourn from the source in Upper Lambourn down to where it joins the Kennet. The good news is that the whole flood-warden initiative is gaining traction. All credit to James Potter and Andrew Gorton in Eastbury and Martyn Wright in East Garston, and others elsewhere, who have showed just what can be achieved with effort and determination over several years that seems to have captured imaginations and produced results.

The only downside of this LVFF meeting was that Environment Agency was unable to attend (many of the thirty odd virtual attendees had questions for them) but attendance from Thames Water and the West Berkshire Council Flood team were appreciated and constructive.

West Berkshire Council confirmed that it is well on top of gulley and ditch clearance that is its responsibility, and it’s pressing private owners to do the same.

This is all of course in the context of expected flooding this winter with groundwater levels above last year, the Lambourn never drying up and the wettest September since records began – the message is “be prepared.”

We were given a presentation by Piers Allison, who developed an environmental information website for the Pang Valley which he has adapted for our Lambourn Valley. It’s fair to say that we were all blown away. There’s an amazing amount of information available, both historical and real-time, which can be accessed by clicking here. A superb piece of work that’s well worth keeping an eye on.

Roads

Things continue to progress well on the roads front. I’m sure that you are all noticing road closures for repairs – annoying on the day, but necessary.

Police

I had a useful session at the Forge in Eastbury with our two PCSOs, kindly organised by James Potter. We discussed drugs, off-roaders and rural crime. They encourage people to report any misdemeanour to 101. Unless they know there are problems, they cannot react.

Neighbourhood Development Plan

I said this last month, but I will repeat it. After a really long haul we are I think finally there to submit it. There has been a further consultation process and people’s views have been taken on board and the plan is being amended where necessary. I hope that those who attended understand the huge effort put in by the Steering Committee, chaired by the indefatigable Sue Cocker.

This has taken over five years – the only worrying thing is that there is a review in less than two. It is our opportunity as a community to shape the future of Lambourn in the face of pressure from government for more extension of rural communities.

This article on Penny Post summarises the main work and events over the last couple of years and will be kept up to date as the project reaches its conclusion.

Lambourn Parish Council

As usual I attended the monthly meeting, albeit by Teams as I am not a great fan of driving country lanes at night now that I have achieved the glorious age of 70. There was a good series of debates on numerous issues including planning. leisure areas, Christmas lights, finance and the beautification of Lambourn.

I would like to put on record that on the getting on for six years that I have been your District Councillor, I have never seen the Parish Council so well organised and making a real difference. A real thank you to all of the Parish Councillors who do it on an entirely volunteer basis but particularly to the Chair, Vicky Rieunier and the Clerk, Gary Wyatt-Hawkins. Lambourn Parish Council is genuinely doing a great job for you all.

Casework

As ever, it never stops (even on holiday). I really don’t mind as I believe that, if you sign up to this role, it goes with the territory.

Issues with Sovereign continue, sadly. The people I talk to there on a day-to-day basis are outstanding and really helpful, but I just do not think that they have the support up the line. Similarly, I think that we have the same issue with police response, particularly on anti-social behaviour. Much still to be done…

Get in touch

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk.

September/October 2024

Autumn is firmly upon us and sadly September was extremely wet. Berkshire received three times the amount of rainfall compared to the long-term average and groundwater levels look to be close to starting to rise again – this is not good news.

Which leads me to…

Sewage and flooding

The good news is that Thames Water seems to be delivering. They have nearly completed the lining and manhole sealing in Eastbury and East Garston and now have agreed funding internally to do the same for Upper Lambourn and parts of Lambourn before the groundwater levels rise.

Along with the Environment Agency and West Berkshire Council’s Highways and Flood Teams, TW hosted a really useful and well attended drop-in session in the Memorial Hall Lambourn last month and has agreed to do a further one in a few months’ time.

In addition, precautionary ATAC units will be placed at the Fire Station Lambourn and in East Garston.

The Lambourn Valley is apparently one of TW’s top three priorities which is quietly encouraging: as ever, time will tell.

Roads

Things are also progressing well on the roads front. You will have noticed numerous temporary road closures to repair potholes and we now have shiny new yellow bands by the Co-op. The crossroads in Lambourn has been resurfaced and then covered with sand to avoid accidents with horses.

WBC has also resurfaced most of Upper Lambourn High Street whilst cooperating with Jockey Club Estates and the racing industry generally to minimise disruption to horses riding out. Again, we seem to be getting a degree of priority, recognising the importance of racing to the local economy.

The Council is also firmly on the case on clearing the gulleys and ditches which are its responsibility. Gentle pressure is being applied to landowners where they are responsible, and WBC is prepared to send formal notices where necessary.

I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed but we do seem to be in a much better state of preparedness for whatever winter is about to throw at us.

Lambourn Fire Station

I was privileged to be able to visit the Lambourn Fire Station with one of my colleagues who sits on the Fire and Rescue Committee at the beginning of September. The essential problem is a shortage of volunteers which at the moment means that their main engine can’t be operated. They get, on average, over one callout a week using their smaller vehicles.

Volunteers need to live close to the station and be a minimum of seventeen years and nine months to allow for three months training and obviously physically fit. Men and women are equally welcomed, and I would encourage anybody who wants to put something back into the community to give it a go.

Lee Dillon MP

We welcomed Lee to Lambourn in the middle of the month. He initially spent time with the Woodlands Protection Group before coming to Lambourn to see our flooding and sewage issues before an excellent sandwich lunch provide by Goodies café allowing Councillors to raise various other issues.

I have known Lee for well over five years and briefed him on nutrient neutrality problems which he has promised to take up with DEFRA. He finished his visit by going to Jockey Club Estates to meet some trainers before a trip around the gallops.

Drugs initiative

A workshop was arranged under the auspices of the Lambourn Junction CIC led by Christian Noll. Unfortunately I had a clash of appointments, but it was extremely well attended by a number of key stakeholders with some positive takeaways and actions to try and help resolve the drug issues that we have.

I applaud Christian for the initiative and hope to be involved in the next stages. 

Winter fuel allowances

I accept that this is a slightly political issue and, as regular readers of this newsletter know, I try to keep this apolitical. I am just appalled that pensioners who have contributed all of their lives to this country and contributed financially to their pensions are being treated so disgracefully. I am fortunate that I do not need the allowance and indeed have donated to charity when I received it but for those on the basic state pension, even with the triple lock it is literally the question of eat or heat.

The purpose of my raising this is that I know that there are many proud pensioners who are not taking up Pension Credits to allow them to retain Winter Fuel Allowances and other benefits.

On 3 October, WBC said that  it “wants to ensure that people who are eligible for pension credit and winter fuel allowance know how to claim their entitlement.” The full statement can be seen here. I would ask you that, if you know of a pensioner in need, that you encourage them to apply.

Neighbourhood Development Plan

After a really long haul we are I think finally there to submit it. There has been a further consultation process and people’s views have been taken on board and the plan is being amended where necessary. I hope that those who attended understand the huge effort put in by the Steering Committee, chaired by the indefatigable Sue Cocker.

Get in touch

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk. I will be away on holiday between 12 and 22 October but will be checking my emails daily and will be happy to take calls.

August/September 2024

I don’t usually write a newsletter at the end of August as it tends to be a quiet month. However, Vicky Rieunier (Chair of Lambourn Parish Council) and I had a very productive meeting with Jon Winstanley, the Senior Service Line Director for all things to do with roads and flooding at WBC, so I thought to keep you up to date on the items we covered.

Roads, sewage and flooding

The agenda for the meeting was as follows:

1. Support for the Lambourn Flyer – a proposed volunteer bus service being proposed by Lambourn CIC
2. Gulley and drain clearing – I think scheduled for November at present – can they be brought forward.
3. Proposed parking charges in High Street car park – is it viable for only 30 spaces when most will be less than an hour and free. Any proposal for a season ticket?
4. Double yellow lines virtually disappeared.
5. Road damage in Upper Lambourn
6. Traffic and parking enforcement
7. Take new streetlights back from PC to WBC
8. Hungerford Hill speed indicator sign not working – hopefully just the solar panel out of line.
9. Speed limits – what is pragmatic, achievable and enforceable?
10. Playgrounds
11. Three Posts Lane
12. Dog bins

Jon has already confirmed to me that road repairs are scheduled this Autumn from Market Square down to beyond the Newbury Street/Mill Lane junction covering the fire station and the whole of the High Street in Upper Lambourn from the B4000 to beyond Malt Shovel Lane to Drain Lane.

1. Lambourn Flyer

Running a bus service, even with volunteers, is not as simple as you would think. It needs to be registered and there are obvious health and safety requirements and regulations. However, there are some limited grants, both revenue and capital, from the Council and they will help where they can to integrate any service into the existing schedules. I have passed full information to Christian Noll of Lambourn CIC to take things forward.

2. Gulley and drainage clearing

This has already begun and the Council now has a regular process of clearing them. Almost all ditches are the responsibility of the landowners. If you think there is a problem, please get in touch with the Council using the Report a Problem web page. Vicky and the Parish Council are on top of most of the issues. The good news is that the Drainage Team is back up to six strong so they are in a position to get the contractors out quickly.

3. Lambourn car park

Not such good news. The charges will start as soon as the ticket machine is installed (likely to be in the next month or so) but with the first 30 minutes free of charge. Payment will only be by phone or card, not cash. I pointed out again that I questioned whether it was viable given that the majority of people only park whilst doing a quick shop and without enforcement either by a warden or cameras I suspect that there are many who will just take a risk – not that I am advocating that! He agreed to review it in a year’s time.

4. Double yellow lines

Already in the works programme for the High Street and the car park. A new AI system should allow faded white and yellow lines to be identified and fixed far more quickly.

5. Road damage in Upper Lambourn

This is already in the works programme for the autumn. Vicky and I queried whether there is a long-term solution to the springs rising through the road. This seemed unlikely but it will be looked at with the Council and Thames Water.

6. Traffic and parking enforcement

Difficult owing to resource issues. Contact name provided to ask for more.

7. Streetlights

Most other parishes also pay for their streetlights. Given that they are now all LED with low running costs, it was accepted that Parish Council will retain responsibility.

8. Hungerford Hill Speed camera

This will be repaired.

9. Speed limits

There is a presumption against blanket limits. We pointed out that because of the racing industry and racehorses on the roads, Lambourn and Eastbury are a priority. Vicky and I will take this up after what will need to be a widespread consultation.

10. Playgrounds

A member of the public had asked if WBC would consider taking on the maintenance of Lambourn’s playgrounds but this was refused. Most parishes maintain their play areas and we agreed that Lambourn will continue to do so with the ones it owns.

11. Three Posts Lane, Lambourn

The walls have fallen down in places over recent years. The interesting issue here is that nobody knows who is responsible for them. WBC is definitely responsible for the actual right of way, but it does not think it is for the walls. The Parish Council is certain that it is not one of its assets – which leaves the adjoining householders. WBC has agreed to have a detailed look at the boundaries through Land registry to find a solution.

12. Dog waste bins

The Parish Council found its own contractor as they were dissatisfied by the service levels from WBC’s contractor. WBC is likely to use the same contractor as LPC going forward as they have similar misgivings.

Finally, the Parish Council is organising a public meeting with Thames Water in September – date, time and venue to be confirmed.

All in all, Vicky and I thought a positive and useful meeting.

Get in touch

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk

July/August 2024

Summer appears to have finally arrived – any minute now we’ll all be complaining that it’s too hot…

I wish all of you about to go on summer holidays a wonderful time. No longer having school-age children to contend with, I will be away for two separate weeks in September and October when it is not quite so hot (or expensive) in the Med. Dates to be confirmed: you’ll still be able to contact me by email but responses might take slightly longer.

Neighbourhood Development Plan and WBC’s Local Plan

Until a week or so ago (see below), it looked like we were almost there. The Plan and the design guide together run to about 360 pages. The final opportunity for comment can be made at the last consultations as below.

Provisional schedule (dates and times to be confirmed):

• By Saturday 17 August (TBC): Documents ready; hard copies printed.
• Friday 30 August: Regulation 14 Consultation launched (TBC). Responses analysed as received.
• Wednesday 11 September: Woodland St. Mary’s Village Hall drop-in, at Woodlanders’ Protection Group meeting. 7 to 9 pm (TBC).
• Saturday 14 September: Eastbury drop-in, Church Gift Morning. 10am to noon.
• Thursday 19 September: Upper Lambourn drop-in, Jockey Club Estates. 5 to 7pm (TBC).
• Wednesday 25 September: presentation to Lambourn Parish Council and the public, Memorial Hall. 7.30pm.
• Friday 11 October (or six weeks after the consultation started): consultation closes. Any amendments to be considered.

We expect to submit it to West Berkshire Council (WBC) very shortly after these meetings. It then needs to go through WBC Full Council and then off to the Planning Inspector before coming back to residents for a referendum to ratify it.

It then becomes a highly influential document for planning applications in the ward which knits in with the Local Plan policies of West Berkshire Council.

Now – all this was looking absolutely fine until the new government’s recent housing requirements for West Berkshire as a whole. The proposed changes dictate the use of a different method to calculate local housing need which will result in West Berkshire having the highest percentage of increase in Berkshire – more than doubling the current annual local housing need figure.

The announcement from central government coincides with the publication of the Inspectors’ interim findings of the public examination of WBC’s Local Plan Review. This is the overarching set of policies which outlines how the district develops in the coming years (when ratified, Lambourn’s NDP will become part of this).

The Planning Inspectorate has just published its interim findings. These call for immediate modifications to the Plan from which the Council allocates housing development across the district.

The Inspector has not yet reached a conclusion on what the overall housing land supply should be but notes that, overall, there would be a significant shortfall in the supply of homes compared to the minimum requirement of 9,270 new homes for the period 2023 to 2041.

The Council must therefore move to increase the number of homes proposed at Northeast Thatcham and put forward additional sites to boost the housing land supply for the district.

Those of you who have followed my newsletter over the last five years will know that is not as simple as it sounds. 70% of west Berkshire is in the North Wessex Downs National Landscape (previously the AONB); another chunk is undevelopable because of the Detailed Emergency Planning Zones around AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield; finally, there are flood-plain issues around the River Kennet. All in all, I fear a request for additional housing in Lambourn and other larger villages.

This is an evolving situation and it’s not yet clear what effect this will have on local housing requirements, nor on Lambourn’s NDP. More information on this will widely publicised including by me, on Lambourn PC’s website, in Penny Post and on Lambourn.org.

Roads, sewage and flooding

Vicky Rieunier, Chair of Lambourn Parish Council, and I have agreed that we are more powerful working in concert than individually to address the various road, sewage and flood issues facing Lambourn and the surrounding villages. She is arranging a further meeting with Thames Water to get an update on progress, while I have arranged for us both to meet Jon Winstanley, the most Senior Operational Director at WBC, for Highways and Flood issues.

The agenda for the latter meeting is as follows:

1. Support for the Lambourn Flyer, a proposed volunteer bus service being proposed by Lambourn CIC.
2. Gulley and drain clearing – I think scheduled for November at present – can they be brought forward.
3. Proposed parking charges in High Street Car Park – is it viable for only 30 spaces when most will be less than an hour and free. Any proposal for a season ticket?
4. Double yellow lines virtually disappeared.
5. Road damage in Upper Lambourn.
6. Traffic/parking enforcement.
7. Take responsibility for running new streetlights back from PC to WBC.
8. Hungerford Hill speed indicator sign not working – hopefully just the solar panel out of line.
9. Speed Limits – what is pragmatic, achievable and enforceable?
10. Playgrounds.
11. Three Posts Lane.
12. Dog bins.

Jon Winstanley has already confirmed to me that road repairs are scheduled this autumn from Market Square down to beyond the Newbury Street/Mill Lane junction covering the fire station; and the whole of the High Street in Upper Lambourn from the B4000 to beyond Malt Shovel Lane to Drain Lane.

I will report feedback in next month’s newsletter.

Casework

Obviously, it never stops. Some of these have carried over from last month because of Council officers on holiday. Current issues include:

• Planning applications.
• Enforcement on unapproved development.
• Enforcement on unsightly dumping of rubbish.
• Illegal trail biking.
• Drug issues.
• Streetlights not repaired – only three left because of parts issues.
• Special Educational Needs problems.
• Housing need in a number of cases caused by disability, anti-social behaviour or poor repairs by housing associations.
• Verges, trees and grass generally not cut back.

And the list goes on…

Get in touch

I hope to see many of you at the carnival later this month.

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk.

June/July 2024

I’m just recovering from six weeks of gruelling canvassing and delivering leaflets for the General Election. This resulted in an average of 10,000 steps a day and a maximum of over 16,000. I have as a result lost 10 lbs in weight – from my perspective probably the best thing to have come out of the campaign.

Congratulations to our new MP Lee Dillon; but I am desperately sorry for Laura Farris who narrowly lost. I had no idea how hard she had worked until I knocked on doors and found many hundreds of people who had asked for help from her and how she had solved almost all of their issues.

In the light of this, please forgive another rather brief newsletter. Normal service to resume next month.

Neighbourhood Watch

I was recently approached by a lady, who had recently been burgled in Lambourn. I had not realised that there was no Neighbourhood Watch system in Lambourn, as there is in Eastbury and most villages down the valley. I will be talking to our local police next week to try and get one established.

Lambourn’s Neighbourhood Development Plan

Last month I reported that we are almost there. We expect to submit it to West Berkshire Council shortly, after which it needs to go through Full Council in September and then off to the Planning Inspector before coming back to residents for a referendum and then becoming a very important document in the planning process.

More information will be provided here and elsewhere whenever the process requires public engagement.

Roads

You will no doubt have noticed that both Baydon Road and the B4000 (Ermin Street) have been fully resurfaced. Potholes are being filled elsewhere, so our highways are gradually getting back to scratch. There is much still to do, however.

I am re-energised to attack speed limits again. I will be asking for 20mph limits in both Eastbury and Lambourn High Street and that the B4000 to be reduced from 50mph to 40.

Sewage and Flooding

Now that we no longer have our former MP championing the issue with Thames Water, Environment Agency and West Berkshire Council, I will be taking up the challenge more forcibly to try to ensure that we do not have a repetition of the calamitous time we have had over the last winter.

Other local groups including SAGLUV are, though often out of public view, also continuing the work of pressing Thames Water to come up with promised solutions.

Casework

Obviously, it never stops. Everyone who has got in touch with me has been completely understanding that the Council has had to be totally apolitical over the election period and whilst business obviously continues as usual to a degree, they cannot be seen to favour any political party.

Back to normal from Monday and I will be hard on the case for issues which include: –

• Damp and mould in a Sovereign house
• Planning refusal on grounds I simply do not understand
• Various other planning applications
• An enforcement issue on an unapproved development
• Another enforcement issue regarding unsightly dumping of rubbish
• Illegal trail biking
• Drug issues
• Streetlights not being repaired
• Verges, trees and grass generally not cut back

And the list goes on…

Get in touch

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk

May/June 2024

As you’ll be aware, the General Election has been called for 4 July and I would urge you to get a postal vote and/or get yourself on the Electoral Roll. Whichever party you support, I believe that it is one of the most important citizen’s rights to vote for a government. For more information, please see this page on WBC’s website.

For me, the next four weeks will be unbelievably busy so please bear with me if I do not respond as quickly as usual.

Council business continues as usual but there are clear rules that anything which is politically sensitive which could affect the vote is temporarily banned.

This has been a surprisingly quiet month for me, partly I am sure because of the two bank holidays and school half terms. My apologies for a shortened version of this column compared to normal.

Sewage and flood risks

Laura Farris’s meeting with the relevant minister proved productive and we have an in-principle agreement that a fluvial consultancy will be paid for out of government funds (that clearly might change). She had proposed holding a public meeting in Lambourn on the matter with Thames Water and the Environment Agency but this has been put on hold because of the election.

Vicky Rieunier, Chair of Lambourn Parish Council arranged a meeting with three operational members of Thames Water, also attended by Chris Harris, Rachel Carden, and me. She is preparing a note of the meeting including action points to go onto the Parish Council Website, Lambourn.org and Penny Post so I will not steal her thunder: but suffice to say it was a very positive and effective session which gives me some encouragement that there may be light at the end of the tunnel. I asked all of the questions which have been raised with me and was generally pleased with the responses.

Groundwater levels continue to fall and are about to get to a position when TW can put cameras into the sewer pipes and find out exactly where the problems are.

Lambourn’s Neighbourhood Development Plan

We are almost there at last. The Steering Group had a final session with our planning consultants and identified the few remaining areas that still needed input. With a following wind we will have it submitted to West Berkshire Council in July, after which it needs to go to a final referendum (organised by WBC) and then off to the Inspector before coming back to residents for a referendum. If approved, it then becomes a very important document in the planning process.

Lambourn Parish Council Annual Assembly

As your Ward Member I attended this and made a brief speech outlining key issues over the last 12 months – not surprisingly, most were water and sewage related.

You can click here to read the full text of the Chair’s address to the meeting in which she summarised the Parish Council’s work over the last year and some of its aspirations for the year to come.

Senior government visitor

For obvious security reasons I cannot identify the identity, but along with our previous MP, Laura Farris, I will be welcoming a senior government minister to Lambourn this Tuesday 4 June. The intention is to allow him to meet some people in Market Square at 2.30 and then to go on to meet some racehorse trainers to discuss the impact on our key local industry through potentially damaging gambling legislation.

Get in touch

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk

April/May 2024

So now we have had the wettest April since records began in 1835. When is this rain going to stop and we can get a dry spring with the groundwater dropping? I for one have had enough of it and I am sure that I am not alone.

Sewage and flood risks

Laura Farris, the Newbury MP held a surgery in Goodies Café on 26 April morning. Needless to say, the main topic was sewage and flooding. Earlier that morning she met with Vicky Rieunier, Chris Harris, Rachel Carden, and me to look for a way forward with Thames Water.

She had already arranged a meeting with the Environment Secretary, and we agreed that she would ask for a grant to get an expert consultant to advise on fluvial and hydrological issues to assess ways in which the impact of both groundwater and rainfall can be controlled to minimise flooding and groundwater infiltration into the sewers down the valley.

She has also decided to hold a public meeting in Lambourn on the matter. The date will be announced by Penny Post and Lambourn.Org

As I have said many times there is no quick fix, but we need an holistic approach coordinating all agencies.

In the meantime, the Parish Council is arranging a further meeting with the operational staff at TW to better understand the issues and possible solutions. I intend to also attend.

There was however one quick fix, in Eastbury. The Environment Agency had a weed cut which almost immediately removed the flooding in front of the church and have promised to repeat the exercise quarterly. I also arranged for WBC’s contractors to clean Back Street to remove the slime on the road.

Thames Water has confirmed that it has lined 10.1km of sewer pipes and sealed 134 manholes to date. They have funding agreed for a further 548m and 13 manholes from the source down to Great Shefford, for this summer, subject obviously to groundwater levels.

I am very conscious that now the sewage release and flooding have to some extent stopped, that there is a serious danger that the issues will go to the back of peoples’ minds. This will only rear its head again when the groundwater once again starts to rise. Realistically, this could happen at any time. Also, low groundwater provides an ideal opportunity for checking and repairing the pipes, so we need to ensure TW is doing this.

We cannot take our foot off the pedal and must maintain pressure.

A group for the whole of the River Lambourn

This group has now kicked off and I am arranging a meeting to get the framework of the report agreed.

Asphalt Plant Membury Industrial Estate

No change on my comment a month ago. The Planning Department at the Council is under massive pressures and to compound it the Head of the team has medical issues and is on sick leave. The good news is that a new Service Lead for all things planning, including enforcement, has been appointed but he is unable to take up the reins until he is contractually allowed in July. In the meantime, an outsourced contract has been put in place to speed up the whole process and in particular registration of applications.

Members’ bids

The flagpole above the Church in Lambourn was erected on schedule and the St. George’s Flag was flying prominently on 23 April,  St George’s Day. I have agreed with Lambourn Parish Council that my next bid will be to refurbish the public WC at the Memorial Hall at a cost of about £10,000 half funded by the PC and half from my bid from WBC’s CIL pot.

Neighbourhood Development Plan

Final consultations on the plan were held in Eastbury, Lambourn Woodlands and, two in Lambourn in April. The plan will hopefully be submitted to West Berks Council by early summer and then onto the Planning Inspector before a final referendum for the Parish. It has only taken 5 years so far!

The Steering Group, chaired by Sue Cocker, is very conscious of residents’ concerns of residential development before the sewage issues are fixed. However, we are short of housing and particularly affordable housing which has been detailed in a Housing Needs Assessment commissioned from an outside consultant. The WBC Local Pan assumes up to 90 Residential units for Lambourn of which 40% would be affordable, during the period of the plan to 2040. To reinforce the NDP’s views. The plan states very clearly none until sewage is fixed.

Casework

A slight respite over Easter but it still continues apace. Major issues this month mostly revolve around Housing and Planning but inevitably water and sewage. A new issue is trail bikers up by Lynch Wood mostly at weekends. Not only are they noisy, but they are tearing up the ground which of course is still virtually saturated. I have promised to contact the Chief Inspector at Newbury to see if they can do some spot checks.

A lady in Eastbury has discovered that she is paying for the electricity for a flip (similar to a non-reverse valve preventing sewage backing up into houses) from her own meter! I am taking this up with Thames Water.

Get in touch

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718 100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk

March/April 2024

February/March 2024

So now we know the facts. We have just had one of the wettest winters in the UK and the wettest February in the southeast since records started back in 1836. No wonder we are having flooding and sewage issues. Many residents have contacted Laura Farris and me complaining and I have outlined below what action is taking place.

On the brighter side the forecast is for a (badly needed) fairly dry week and spring is clearly on the way with the daffodils out.

In a joint session with East Garston, a number of you from Eastbury met with Laura Farris, our MP to raise your concerns many of which were, of course, water-related.

Sewage and flood risks

We still have sewage coming up through the manholes, particularly in Lambourn and Eastbury. Upper Lambourn’s roads are in places running like rivers with the springs bursting up through the carriageway. As I said last month, until the groundwater subsides there is little that Thames Water can do apart from continuing tankering and keep the ATAC’s running.

The sewage pipes go down to East Shefford Treatment Plant in two separate routes. One picks up Upper Lambourn, Lambourn and Membury and the other Eastbury, East Garston and Great Shefford.

So, there are three initiatives going, to try and get some action or at the very least a firm roadmap on what will be done once the groundwater drops, albeit that could be months.

• Firstly, Clive Hooker (the District Councillor representing East Garston and Shefford) and I along with the Parish Council Chairs for Lambourn East Garston and Great Shefford are trying to meet with Tessa Fayers, the newly appointed Operations Director of Thames Water responsible for the South East who reports directly to the Chief Executive.
• Secondly the Sewage Action Group has just been launched. This will be chaired by Martyn Wright, an East Garston Flood Warden and the founder of the East Garston Flood and Pollution forum, who has of necessity become an expert in the problems affecting us all in the upper reaches of the valley. This group is looking at the area in isolation, from the source of the river in Upper Lambourn down to the East Shefford treatment plant and includes the three Parish Council chairs.
• Thirdly, I have agreed with the Liberal Democrat Councillors representing the lower reaches of the Lambourn and Clive Hooker that we will all collaborate through a cross-party group to lobby Thames Water, The Environment Agency, West Berkshire Council and central government to find a long-term solution to the flood and sewage issues in the valley.

We intend to compile a dossier with photographs and detailed information clearly showing the seriousness of the situation. Martyn is compiling a template and flood wardens in our part of the valley along with Speen and the last part of the Lambourn where it runs into the Kennet will all contribute. These are the areas most impacted by flooding and sewage issues. Clay Hill, for example, has identical sewage and flooding issues north of the A4 and including Newbury Business Park. The dossier will have a covering letter signed by all District Councillors and Parish Chairs and be sent to all the bodies mentioned above as well as national and local media.

As I have said before, there is no quick fix to this problem. I am convinced that climate change is having an impact. Hopefully this co-ordinated approach will get some results.

Council budget

The 2024/25 budget was passed last week. Council Tax will increase by 2.99% plus the extra 2% ringfenced for adult social care. (Except in exceptional circumstances, this is the maximum an authority can increase Council Tax by without going to referendum: it seems that all but a handful of councils are taking the same view). There will also be precepts from Lambourn Parish Council, police, and fire services.

I explained the other possible service cutbacks which were stopped last month and approved. The green bin charge reduction of £3pa was kept, despite amendments from the opposition parties who wanted to use the £100,000 saving for planning enforcement and special-needs costs.

Casework

I don’t think in nearly five years in the role that I have ever had so many emails and telephone calls in a single month from people with problems. I do my level best to resolve them but please do bear with me please: at times it is quite overwhelming and unlike an MP, I do not have the benefit of any staff to assist. None the less, that’s what you elected me to do… 

Roads

Potholes are being repaired but not fast enough for most of us. To be fair to West Berkshire Council and its contractor, I am told that there are ten times more than this time last year because of the water levels. With the best will in the world, it’s going to take months to get them all repaired. Do please keep reporting them. You will have noticed that parts of the B4000, Baydon Road and the valley road in East Garston have all been repaired in the last week.

I have been provided with a list of road works currently proposed in addition to the repairs:

2024/5

• Maddle Road, Upper Lambourn: 1,942m being retextured.
• Newbury Road, Lambourn: 70m being retextured by Long Hedge.

2026/7

• The Park, Lambourn: slurry seal to 298m.

I will try to find out what the difference between slurry seal and retexturing is (one is always learning in this job) and enlighten you next month.

Thames Valley Police and the Police & Crime Commissioner

All Councillors were invited to attend an annual presentation by the Chief Constable and the P&CC which I went to last week. Key takeaways were:

• There are now more police officers in Thames Valley than ever before, and the P&CC is pledging to recruit a further 150 as part of this year’s budget.
• Since 2019, burglaries are down by more than a third and all neighbourhood crime has reduced by 14%.
• The police are doubling the number of officers in neighbourhood policing to increase visibility and working with retailers to catch more shoplifters. 

Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF)

This is a government fund for small rural businesses.

Businesses can apply for between £10,000 and £40,000 to invest in a project that will help stimulate growth, diversification and employment in our rural communities.

The scheme is open for a year, and the Council will be allocating funding on a competitive, rolling-programme basis, to the best applications every couple of months.  To read more about the scheme and apply read see: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/repfgrantscheme.

If you have any queries about this scheme the best officer point of contact is Dan Phelan: Daniel.phelan1@westberks.gov.uk.

Get in touch

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718 100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk

January/February 2024

Back to a normal length of newsletter. Winter has so far been wet but relatively mild, but I believe that we are likely to be in for a cold snap.

I had cause to have a doctor’s appointment over a relatively minor but uncomfortable ailment. I got an appointment in less than a week after having seen a nurse for my annual bloods etc. the Doctor took his time and was extremely thorough. The NHS often gets a bad press, but I could not fault it. I am fortunate to be able to tell a number of people through this newsletter so well done to our surgery. I appreciate that those in other areas may not experience such prompt service: not for the first time, I feel lucky to live where I do…

Sewage and flood risks

Just before I started to write this newsletter, I checked my emails and found the latest flood alert from the Environment Agency noting that there has been continuing rain showers over the last 24 hours and predicting heavy rain going into Thursday 8 February and perhaps beyond.

I don’t need to tell you that this is not good news given the height of water in the Lambourn and continuing high groundwater levels. The forecasts go on to say that they do not anticipate any property flooding but to avoid walking on paths along the riverbank for obvious reasons.

Sadly, we still have sewage coming up through the manholes in various places and particularly Lambourn and Eastbury. Until the groundwater subsides there is little that Thames Water can do apart from continuing tankering and this latest EA alert further highlights the issue.

Keeping the pressure on

I have now got agreement from the Liberal Democrat Councillors representing the lower reaches of the Lambourn and my colleague, Clive Hooker – my opposite number covering Downlands ward that includes East Garston and Great Shefford – that we will collaborate through a cross-party group to lobby Thames Water, the Environment Agency, West Berkshire Council and central government to find a long-term solution to the flood and sewage issues in the valley.

I had a Zoom meeting with Stuart Gourley, the lead member for the Liberal Democrats, this evening to look at the best way forward. We agreed to identify half a dozen knowledgeable people to write an extended letter to be signed by all relevant district councillors and parish council chairs.

Laura Farris, our MP, joined me in Lambourn last Friday, meeting people in Market Square and those most affected by sewage problems. She is committed to getting Governmental effort along with Lord Benyon, our previous MP, who is a minister in DEFRA. Hopefully the combined pressure will have some impact.

As I have said before, there is no quick fix to this problem. I am convinced that climate change is having an impact. As well as the extraordinary amounts of rainfall causing the high groundwater levels here, it is worth noting that Los Angeles has had a month’s rainfall over two days this week making for a very soggy red carpet at the Grammy awards…

Flood relief from Whitehall

Central government has allocated funds to help both residents and small businesses affected by recent flooding. It only applies to local authorities with more than 50 cases of damage. At the last count West Berkshire had about 30.

If you have had flood damage, please report it.

I have copied below an email sent to the Flood Wardens explaining the scheme:

Flood Recovery Grant

Central Government has announced the following grants which be administered by ‘eligible’ Local Authorities.

1. Flooded households in eligible affected areas, who can apply for up to £500 cash to help with immediate costs.  
2. Households and businesses significantly affected, who will be eligible for 100% council tax and business rates relief for at least 3 months.
3. Small-to-medium sized businesses in eligible affected areas, who can apply for up to £2,500 from the Business Recovery Grant to help them return quickly to business as usual.  
4. Eligible flood-hit property owners, who can apply for up to £5,000 to help make their homes and businesses more resilient to future flooding via the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme.  
5. Farmers who have suffered uninsurable damage to their land will be able to apply for grants of up to £25,000 through the Farming Recovery Fund towards repair and reinstatement costs for farmers adversely affected by exceptional flooding.

For a Council to be eligible for government support for the above there must have been at least 50 properties flooded internally within the Local Authority area.  At the moment we are aware of 37 properties.  Whilst in a way this is good news compared to the 180 from 2013/14 we would like to hit the minimum 50 properties to take advantage of the government funding.

We are therefore arranging for a leaflet drop in flood hit areas which will direct residents (via a QR code) to an online questionnaire to encourage additional property owners to come forward.  The leaflets will be delivered starting from Thursday 8 February and will take three to four days to cover the affected areas.

If you would like to see plans of the areas that the leaflets are being distributed to in your area, or if you would like any hard copies of the leaflet sent to you, please contact HTAdmin@westberks.gov.uk .

Council budget

The Council Budget papers for 2024/5 were released in draft last Friday evening so I had the joy of working through the 550-page document over the weekend and Monday – we councillors know how to have fun!

A number of you contributed to the consultation process and some attended the meeting in Hungerford Town Hall. I also made comment in various meetings with the administration, and I am delighted to confirm that our views have largely been taken on board:

• There will be charging for parking in the main Lambourn Car Park behind Universal Stores but the first hour will now be free. We can therefore all drop into the Co-op, Universal Stores, The Food Hall and the other shops without creating chaos by parking in the surrounding roads or paying £1 for the privilege. It would seem that arguments over damage that would be done to the retail trade was taken on board and sense prevailed.
• The proposal to reduce ditch and drain clearing has been dropped in the light of recent flooding. So too have most if not all of the proposed changes to the bins.
• There is a proposal to reduce the green bin charge by a nominal amount costing about £100,000. This seems to me to be ludicrous as it is meant to be the first stage of removing all charges for green bin collection. Nearly every comparative unitary authority charge between £60 and £80pa – why should someone living in a flat subsidise someone like me who has a garden?

The proposal is to increase council tax by 4.99% (including the 2% Adult Social Care provision). I attended Scrutiny Commission this week, which makes recommendations to Executive as part of the budget process. Executive meets this Thursday to go through the report, which I will also be attending. The precept from the Parish Council, Fire Service and Thames Valley Police are still unknown but will be firmed up before February 29 when the Budget has to be signed off by Full Council.

Casework

Whilst, inevitably, flooding and sewage continue to be the main items in my postbag, housing has also been a busy area. Issues have ranged from a need for new accommodation because of overcrowding, mould and a leaking roof from one of the smaller housing associations in our area to leaking gutters and resulting damp from the main social housing provider. Fortunately, I am the Shadow Housing Portfolio Holder so I can put some pressure on the council Housing Team to get things done.

Several residents have raised the issue of street lighting. I can confirm that it is proposed to replace all of the streetlights this spring, jointly funded by Lambourn Parish Council and West Berkshire Council. The new lights will be LED, significantly reducing the annual electricity bill.

Roads

Potholes have reared their ugly head again after the prolonged bad weather. This is a district-wide issue and Volker, the Council’s contractor, is working their way through the long list. I have asked Highways if the Lambourn area could be a priority.

Working with Tony King, chairman of the Woodlanders Protection Group (WPG), I have requested a meeting with Highways and representatives of the WPG to look again at speeding and HGVs on the B4000. The lead officer has asked for more detailed information which Tony is collating.

Flooding has rather taken precedence over speeding, but I have reminded the Council of the desire for a 20mph limit in Eastbury and Lambourn High Street. As I drive around West Berkshire, they are clearly becoming more common with a further trial starting in Theale. I am hopeful that we might see some progress in 2024.

District Parish Council Conference

I attended this in Shaw House last week. This seemed fairly well attended but I would have hoped to have seen more parish council representatives there. Part of the reason was almost certainly that it was held mid-afternoon. I am sure that an early evening one would get a better attendance: this point seems to have been recognised as the next one is scheduled for that time. There were a number of useful presentations and the opportunity to ask questions of officers and the Executive.

Get in touch

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718 100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk

Mid-January 2024 special update

This is a one-off interim Parish Matters to reflect the extreme situation that we are all in with sewage and flooding in the Lambourn Valley.

The Lambourn Valley Flood Forum

December 2023/January 2024

I don’t usually write a Parish Matters for this month as we have all been so busy with Christmas and the lead up to it that usually there is little to talk about. However, the exceptional weather and the resultant flooding and sewage issues prompted me to make an exception.

Could I first wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.

Sewage and flood risks

After numerous calls and emails from residents expressing concerns and the automated flood warning alert from the Met Office, I decided to drive up the Valley to see with my own eyes what the current situation is.

The river is extremely high and is bursting its banks in places, particularly in Back Lane in Eastbury. Manholes have blown off their seatings in both Eastbury as you come in from East Garston and by the Fire Station in Lambourn. In both cases cases this has allowed raw sewage to pour into the river, leaving the roads strewn with wastepaper and other detritus.

There are, however, two pieces of good news. Firstly, the Eastbury Flood Alleviation Scheme is working as designed with a lake of water being held by the bunds allowing a reduced flow of water going into the river downstream. This has almost certianly saved large parts of the village from flooding (and, I am told, that has caused lower water levels in East Garston).

Secondly the rain has stopped. The forecast is dry for next week (though turning cold, bringing with it the threat of ice) and the river level is already marginally down.

Thames Water vans and tankers seem to be all over the place, so they are clearly taking it seriously.

I then drove up Oxford Road and on to Wantage Road as a resident had expressed concern at the ditches. I can see why. The grips (access channels that allow water from the road into the ditches) in some places are having the opposite effect with water streaming from overfull ditches onto the road. In just over a mile, I drove through three separate floods, some quite deep, and saw several other large puddles to the sides of the road.

I am making representations to the Highways Team at the Council to clear as many ditches as possible along with checking and clearing any blocked drains but as you can imagine the team is fully stretched. It is not just the Lambourn that is causing a problem but also the Pang and Kennet and other smaller streams, so this is not going to be a quick fix.

Casework

One major recent success, the abandoned car in Oxford Street has finally been removed. I would like to say by the Police or Council Enforcement but actually by using connections to apply pressure! Otherwise, as you might expect, it has been relatively quiet – until the rain.

Returning to water – which dominates everything at present – I am told that parts of the country have had the normal full amount of rain for January already since the New Year and I am only glad that we live in such a wonderful part of the UK when you see news footage of parts of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Nottinghamshire and elsewhere, where there has been massive flooding – I suppose that it puts our problems into perspective.

Get in touch

This is a much shorter Parish Matters than usual, but my normal length will return next month. Hoping that you all stay safe and dry.

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718 100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk

November/December 2023

Where has this year gone to? As I write this, Christmas is less than three weeks away, but I have at least bought all of my presents for children and grandchildren so am feeling very smug!

October/November 2023

I commented last month about the way the nights were closing in and it is now really noticeable. I am writing this on Halloween and as this is the first time for many years that I have lived in the middle of a village I was prepared for trick-or-treaters with a box of Celebrations: no takers, however. Their loss…

20mph at last?

Road accident in Lambourn

There has been a small accident opposite the Wheelwrights Arms which has caused some damage to a house. Thankfully this was nowhere near as serious as the accident in Hungerford last year which has led to costs for the Council, a contraflow for the residents and general chaos for everyone (all still ongoing).

Casework

Casework as ever carries on including trying to convince the Revenue and Benefits team along with the Valuation Office that a particular Council Tax demand is ridiculous; and putting a resident in touch with our local architects Mathewson Waters to give advice on a possible small housing scheme. Inevitably there are also yet more planning and enforcement issues, including fly tipping.

Sewage and flood risks

Groundwater levels are getting concerningly high as can be seen in the amount of water in the river. This is compounded by the weed growth that we have seen over the summer.

I reported last month on the Scrutiny Commission of WBC interrogation of Thames Water and the Environment Agency. Encouragingly, this has resulted in further dialogue and an offer by Thames Water to share further information. I am asking the Lambourn Valley Flood Forum what might be helpful.

Member’s bids

Three Posts Lane proved a non-starter as it requires lime mortar to repair the wall which can only be done in the spring  or summer. However, we have found a good local tradesman able to undertake the work and I am continuing to try to get WBC to pay for it out of CIL/S106 monies.

The replacement of St. Michael and All Angels Lambourn flagpole was submitted in time with three quotes. The bid, which is match funded, needs to be recommended by a Council Officer as well. His email on the subject was encouraging:

“I believe that your member’s bid to replace the flag pole on top of the Grade 1 listed Church of St Michael and All Angels, Market Place, Lambourn is most worthy of funding.

 As can be seen from the official photograph of the listed church, the flagpole is integral to it and I believe has become very dangerous and, rather than repaired yet again, it should be replaced altogether so that this magnificent building can continue to “fly the flag” for all in Lambourn.”

Hopefully this level of support will win the bid.

Harvest supper

I attended the Harvest Supper at St. James’s Church in Eastbury – a wonderful evening capped off by a really interesting talk by Sue Cocker about Eastbury Manor.

School transport problems

There has been some positive news on this.

WBC has been successful in procuring a replacement coach to provide transport for King Alfred’s pupils, which started after the October half term. This week they have issued bus passes and are ready to start work. A similar result for John O’Gaunt families, with a replacement coach confirmed and this has started. Families were contacted by email and bus passes issued. However, they could not arrive in time for Monday, so the bus operator was made aware of that.

If you have any problems with your passes (such as non-arrival), please contact Client.Transport@Westberks.gov.uk.

I would like to congratulate the WBC team which went the extra mile to get a resolution to these problems which were completely outside their control.

Lambourn’s Neighbourhood Development Plan

Nothing further to report apart from the fact that progress continues. The work on such things isn’t always visible but that’s not to say it isn’t happening. When the time for public engagement comes round again this will be given wide publicity, including by me.

Get in touch

Whatever is concerning you please do get in touch on 07836 718 100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk.

September/October 2023

August/September 2023

As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I usually skip August and December as they tend to be quieter news months. However, there have been a number of issues that have come across my desk so I thought that I should make an exception this year.

CIL bids

As ward member, this year I had £5,000 to distribute from shared funds from Community Infrastructure Levies (developers’ contributions). About £1,250 has been allocated to repair crumbling walls in Three Posts Lane and I had expected that the rest would be used for the sad but necessary demolition costs of Eastbury Village Hall. However, I’ve very recently learned that this has been raised from other sources. I therefore have about £3,750 going, as it were, begging. Time is critical and it needs to be match funded and properly tendered.

If you have any ideas, please let me know urgently.

July/August 2023

Thankfully, July has for me been an uncharacteristically quiet month. This  has allowed me to focus on sorting out my new house a few miles downstream in Boxford. Those of you who have moved in recent years will appreciate this brings a multitude of challenges. Not the least is the coordination of work being done and, in my case, coping with the nightmare of dealing with BT.

This experience made me sympathise even more with those in Upper Lambourn who for far too long suffered from appalling broadband. In Eastbury I had Gigaclear fibre to my house but here they only connected half of the village: it seems I am in the wrong half. The existing broadband that I am using is painfully slow.

Sewage and flood risks

We are about to see road closures both in Eastbury and on the valley road at East Garston. (Click here to see the interactive map, being sure to apply the appropriate time period in the pop-up on the top left. See also this article on Penny Post) .This will hopefully draw to a close the work on the new sewer, leaving Thames Water to clear up after themselves. The road closures needed to be delayed until the school summer holidays so that school buses could get through.

I remain Chairman of the Lambourn Valley Flood Forum and we had a useful presentation from Project Groundwater, funded by the Department of Environment Food & Rural Affairs. The key points to take away were that last winter’s rainfall was 157% above average and we obviously had a pretty wet July. Despite this, Thames Water hopes that tankering will no longer be required.

About a year ago, we expanded the scale of the Flood Forum to include the lower reaches of the Lambourn down to the confluence with the Kennet. However, the different issues between rural and urban areas are such that we are now setting up a separate group to be responsible from Speen and down-river to focus on the problems more closely there.

Lambourn Sports Club

I was invited to attend their monthly meeting this week and I have agreed to attend quarterly in the future. The good news is that they are in pretty good financial shape. I have agreed to investigate how West Berkshire Council may be able to provide additional support and in particular to investigate grant funding availability through my good contacts at Sports England.

Lambourn Parish Council

I attended the Parish Council meeting this week and whilst a number of Councillors were away on holiday, I sense a genuine enthusiasm and “can do “attitude from both longstanding and new Councillors to improve things. I would urge you to give them your support. They do this purely for the benefit of the community with no financial reward and we should congratulate them on their generosity of time.

For more information on Lambourn Parish Council, including details of meetings, please click here.

Casework

This continues unabated. This is one of the most rewarding parts of being a District Councillor, where you can make a genuine difference in freeing up bureaucratic blockages. Most of them are personal which I am, for obvious reasons, not at liberty to discuss.

However, one related to a local resident who took his children and some of their friends to the pool at Hungerford Leisure Centre. As many will know, there is a new leisure centre contractor appointed by West Berkshire Council which obviously does not yet appreciate the West Berkshire way of working and tried to insist on taking names of the children. This request our resident quite rightly refused in my view, as some were not his own children. They then insisted that cash payments were not available. He then got in touch with me. I’m pleased to say that the contractor now understands…

Writing for posterity

Thanks to Penny Post’s ability to keep all of my monthly reports in one article, it’s possible to look back and remind myself what the main recurring issues over the last three and a bit years have been. Using the search function, I see that (not counting this month’s quieter report), “traffic” has been mentioned 40 times, “B4000” 43, “Membury” 61, “speed” 72, “water” 73 and “planning” 114.

This provides a fair summary of the issues that have dominated my in-box. Whoever takes my place when the time comes should find this a valuable reference document…

Get in touch

Since starting this newsletter over three years ago I have generally skipped August and December. I propose to follow the same approach unless anything urgent crops up. However, I have already taken my summer holiday so will be here for all eventualities.

Whether or not the matter you’re concerned about features in the above list of search results, if you feel I can help please get in touch on 07836 718100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk.

June/July 2023

My profuse apologies for the delay in sending out my usual monthly newsletter but my world has been rather turned upside down.

Firstly, I was away on holiday for the first two weeks of June. Then for personal reasons it was necessary to move from our house where we have lived since 2005. I have as of last Friday moved into my new house in Boxford. Nearly 20 years accumulation of belongings takes a lot of moving and I am still surrounded by boxes to be unpacked. I did try very hard to remain in the ward but there were no houses on the market that were both suitable and affordable. Boxford is just over 10 minutes’ drive from Eastbury and 12 from Lambourn so you will continue to see me very regularly. All my contact details remain the same.

I had the misfortune to be homeless for a week dotting between hotels and generous friends without access to my main computer (or, at times, internet access). iPads and the like are fine up to a point but not the same, for me at least, as are a screen and keyboard. I am therefore really behind on my ward casework which I normally take pride on being on top of. For this I can only apologise again. Rest assured that normal service will resume very shortly.

The good thing to come out of this is that I was able to donate our boudoir grand piano (that’s between a full grand and baby) to the Primary School. They were really pleased to take it and I have high hopes that it may help inspire a future concert pianist.

Legacy projects

Penny Post has generously, and correctly, pointed out in a recent article that the recently announced new 3G football pitch at John O’Gaunt school in Hungerford was a project started under my watch. So too was the soon-to-be-completed Lido in Newbury and the recent contract award for Leisure Centres which I hope will significantly improve service levels for customers. I’m delighted that all these projects are proceeding well and wish them every success.

I’m sure that the new administration’s failure to mention the legacy aspect of these schemes in its recent press releases were oversights…

Sewage and flood risks

I had no idea that Thames Water has a £14bn debt pile (albeit their operational profits remain fairly robust) but am pleased that the major institutional shareholders have injected £750m of funds with the promise of a further £250m. These investments would seem to be needed.

I have to say that for all their faults I do get the sense that the people on the ground are committed to resolving our issues and I do feel a little inclined towards “better the devil you know” rather than a takeover or privatisation.

The river is extremely high for this time of the year and the Environment Agency has been out cutting weed as has the ever-reliable band of volunteers in Eastbury. As for the human infrastructure, the jury is, I think, still out as to how effective the sewer repair works in 2021 were. Fingers crossed…

Driving

I would urge caution on driving on our local roads. I had the misfortune to have a muntjac run straight out in front of me at night on the B4000 last month. There was nothing I could do to avoid it and thankfully for the poor animal it must have died instantaneously. The damage to my car was substantial – much to Ady Godwin’s delight…

Planning enforcement

The enforcement team at the council has been strengthened, which is something I have been pushing for, for some time. I currently have four separate issues on my desk where I am asking for active intervention.

WBC matters

The start of a new administration always begins with a major training programme, mainly for the benefit of new members. The old hands are expected to take part, not only to make sure we are up to speed but also to welcome the new arrivals. So, I have attended sessions on finance, planning, safeguarding, corporate parenting and waste management amongst others.

It’s important that any knowledge and experience be carried over from one administration to the next for the benefit of residents. As our new Conservative group leader Ross MacKinnon said at the first full WBC Council meeting after the election, all of us want the best for the district: it’s just that we sometimes disagree about the best way of achieving this.

RAF Welford

I was also fortunate to be invited to RAF Welford to celebrate the eightieth Anniversary of the establishment of the base in the lead up to the D-Day landings. We were treated to a really interesting presentation and to see the Museum that has been established, as well as to talk to some of the Officers and personnel who now staff the base for the USAAF.

Get in touch

A little shorter than my usual missives but I have been rather preoccupied, however. As mentioned above, normal service is now returning: so as ever if I can help, please get in contact with me on 07836 718100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk.

May/June 2023

Opposition seems very strange. I am not in a position to initiate anything; it is very dispiriting watching as some projects that I have worked hard on for two or three years are being cancelled; and we already see the early signs of the lid being taken off the previous spending containment which may result in either no reduction of Council Tax in future years or cutbacks in service delivery.

We are still in a “phoney war” period. As opposition we are there to challenge constructively. Where we agree with policies, we will wholeheartedly support them but equally where we don’t, we will actively point out the implications. To date so little has been announced that there is little to get our teeth into.

Needless to say, ward casework continues apace, and the good news is that I have more time to dedicate to it. Inevitably a fair amount of this is of a personal nature but I welcome the opportunity to help.

However, I have been appointed as:

• Shadow Portfolio Holder Spokesman for Housing, Countryside, Culture, Leisure, Sport and Public Safety.
• A member of Western Area Planning Committee.
• The Vice Chair of the Governance Committee.
• A member of several working parties.

Parish Council Annual Assembly

I was delighted to be able to give a brief speech at this event (more details on which can be found here) where I outlined the key issues that I had encountered whilst canvassing before the election. As mentioned last month, the usual suspects came up and I have addressed some of these specifically in this newsletter.

• Speeding
• Potholes
• Affordable housing
• Drugs
• Youth provision
• Sewage
• Improving Lambourn High Street

I have promised to speak to the Chief Inspector at Thames Valley Police in Newbury to try and get more police presence here and in particular PCSOs.I have kicked off the speeding request for 20mph in the centre of Lambourn and Eastbury, 40mph on the B4000 and 30mph on Ramsbury Road in Membury.

The Neighbourhood Development Plan continues its progress and will hopefully address some of our affordable-housing needs.

I would really welcome suggestions about how to improve the appearance of the centre of Lambourn. Proposals so far include: resurfacing the main crossroads; creating a one way system using High Street, Crowle Road , Big Lane, The Broadway and Oxford Street; stopping parking in the High Street; and a CIL bid to upgrade decoration generally and provide planting pots.

If anybody wants to get involved, please do get in touch with either Vicky Rieunier at the Parish Council or me (contact details below).

I will be putting in a Members Bid to contribute 50% of the cost of repairing the damaged wall in Three Posts Lane.

Sewage and flood risks

The saga continues! Here in Eastbury we have a rotation of tankers in the middle of the village to deal with very increased water levels in one of the sewers. Thames Water admits that it does not understand what is causing the problem, but it has to be water ingress somewhere. The river is extremely high for this time of the year and the Environment Agency has been out cutting weed as have the ever-reliable band of volunteers.

The new sewer is expected to be fully connected in July – which is ahead of schedule – so everything crossed that it all works. The valley road at the Queens Arms will have to be closed for one or two days to finalise this connection after which Thames Water promise a full clean-up of the mess that has been created.

Youth Club

Largely through the impressive efforts of Vicky Rieunier, Chair of the Parish Council and Anna Field, it is looking very hopeful that the Youth Club can be moved to the Lambourn Centre , a far more appropriate and suitable venue. This has been a great effort and I am delighted that West Berkshire Council accepts the real need here in Lambourn.

Potholes

They continue to be fixed. Eastbury Shute/Straight Lane was repaired without my even knowing about it and you will have seen that a second batch have been repaired on the B4000 between the Pheasant and Hungerford Hill making for a far more comfortable and less stressful drive.

I do urge everyone to go to the Report a Problem section on the Council’s website. It is very easy to use and not only will it be fixed quickly but you will receive an update.

Sovereign’s service charges

I have briefed the new Housing Portfolio Holder on this problem but will continue to badger Sovereign on behalf of ward residents. A reminder that  support is there for those in need: you just need to tell us through the Council’s Cost of Living Hub.

Eastbury Village Hall

Progress is being made thanks to the efforts of Chris Capel and the other Trustees. We need £16,000 to demolish this dangerous building – costs are inflated because of asbestos being present which requires specialist contractors. The village have provided a fair chunk and Greenham Common Trust has been a huge supporter. I am going to put a members bid in to add to the pot and hopefully we can close the gap.

Get in Touch

As ever if I can help, please get in contact with me on 07836 718100 or howard.woollaston1@westberks.gov.uk.

I am away on holiday from 5 to 16 June but will be picking up my emails and phone messages intermittently, generally once a day. We have a house/dog sitter at home but neither she nor our dogs are likely to be of much use for ward matters…

Archives

Ward reports from June/July 2020 to April/May 2023 have been moved to this separate archive post.