November 2013, Your Council, Your News Reading Borough Council Hello, I'm Chris Brant with a look at latest from Reading Borough Council in your council, your news. Pledges to tackle poverty in Reading were made by the Council and local community groups at the town's Annual Conference which was attended by over 200 people this month. Welfare reforms, reducing public sector expenditure and the slow economic recovery are all combining to create increasing hardship for many residents, including some of the most vulnerable. Cllr Lovelock announced seven pledges on the night that the Council would be taking forward including: Help reduce fuel poverty and help to keep people warm in winter by installing solar panels on 500 of Reading's Council houses and ban advertising on Council property by pay day loan companies who target the vulnerable by charging excessive rates of interest on short term loans. Interview Cllr Jo Lovelock, Leader of Reading Borough Council Key note speaker Alison Garnham, chief executive of The Child Poverty Action Group, told the conference that "poverty steals away children's life chances". Interview Alison Garnham, CEO, Child Poverty Action Group Two public exhibitions will take place in early December on a package of proposed transport improvement measures for the Oxford Road area which will help create a better environment for local residents and businesses. Exhibitions will take place as detailed on the screen now and the plans showing the proposed changes can be viewed on the council's website Battle Library Tuesday December 3rd between 1pm and 7pm Bridge Hall Thursday December 5th between 1.30pm and 6.30pm. Work on a £450,000 refurbishment of Town Hall Square is almost complete. New paving, seating, streetlights and level access across the square all form part of the major improvement works, which is being funded as part of the Council's £20million Local Sustainable Transport Fund The work also included the planting of a replacement London Plane tree, which in time will grow to a similar size to the one that had to be removed earlier this year. And staying with the theme of trees -- the Council received over 60 reports of fallen or badly damaged trees during the storm in late October were wind speeds of more than 70mph were felt across the borough. The Council's Parks Department worked overtime to prioritise incidents where trees fell across major roads and pavements, other priority call-outs included where fallen trees blocked access to resident's properties. Community spirit is alive and well in Southcote -- and from this month onwards comes with a new name! The newly-formed Southcote Community Association is the umbrella organisation that organises many of the community events in the area. The new logo was thought up and designed by young pupils from Southcote Primary School. The Council is reminding residents of its Winter Watch scheme. The scheme aimed at vulnerable residents who are struggling to keep warm during the cold weather are being urged to contact the Council. This year health authorities estimated around 112 people in Reading die needlessly as a direct result of cold homes during the winter. Very often these are vulnerable elderly people whose homes either need minor repairs to protect against the cold or who struggle to pay heating bills. In some cases the installation of a few small energy efficiency measures in their homes would make all the difference. Find out more by calling 0118 937 3747 or by emailing winterwatch@reading.gov.uk Now if you are planning your Christmas gathering with family, friends or work colleagues at a local restaurant or pub don't just examine the menu you might want to check what their hygiene rating is too. Aimed at improving food safety in Reading, The food hygiene rating scheme helps people make a more informed choice about where to eat and buy food. Businesses are encouraged to display the distinctive green and black sticker with their rating. These can be also checked online at reading.gov.uk/foodsafety or by using the free app - follow the link on the website to download to your smart phone or tablet. And finally, there is just time to tell you about couple of the festive events coming up in the town. Shopping is being made just that little bit easier and a more enjoyable experience for elderly and disabled people this Christmas. The Extra Special Shopping Evening takes place in the town from 5 to 8pm on Monday 2nd of December. And if you really fancy getting into the Christmas spirit, why not go along to the Civic Carol Service, at Reading Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin, St Mary's Butts on Thursday 19th December from 6:30pm. You can keep up to date with the latest news from the Council by visiting reading.gov.uk then click on Latest News or you can follow us on Twitter and like us Facebook and see more videos like this on the Council's You Tube channel 'See Reading'.

• published: 29 Nov 2013
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