The View from Shute End...

Wokingham Unitary Councillor Annette Drake reports

Council tax rise explained

The new look Wokingham District News, which has been sent to every household, features important information on the council tax, with an explanation as to how your money is being spent on services. There are two main underlying reasons for the council tax increase - a 44% rise in the money to support Thames Valley Police, and the extension of the Concessionary Fares Scheme to men aged 60 years.

Thames Valley Police receive funds from the Home Office, but clearly not enough, so each local authority in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire supports the Police Authority with extra funds to subsidise anti-crime measures in their districts. Wokingham District Councillor Barrie Patman sits on the Police Liaison Committee to provide direct input from residents on police activities throughout the Wokingham district.

The Concessionary Fares Scheme (which is not means-tested and is available for women aged 60 years) has been extended to include men aged 60, in line with European Union directives.

Telecommunications masts

Although many people are worried about the siting of telecomms masts close to homes and schools, very few attended the first meeting of local authorities in Wokingham district with telecommunications operators, which took place on 1 April. The Government has issued new planning guidance (PPG8) on the siting of telecommunications masts, and in the light of this Wokingham has issued Supplementary Planning Guidance which can be read on the council's website: www.wokingham.gov.uk

The new central government guidance strongly encourages telecommunications operators and local planning authorities to carry out annual discussions concerning rollout plans for each authority's area. It also states: "Health considerations and public concern can in principle be material considerations in determining applications for planning permission and prior approval. Whether such matters are material in a particular case is ultimately a matter for the courts. It is for the decision-maker (usually the local planning authority) to determine what weight to attach to such considerations in any particular place."

New Chief Executive at the helm

A new Chief Executive has been appointed to Wokingham Unitary. Mr Doug Patterson, who replaces Jane Earl, has 25 years experience in local government. He lives in Reigate and is currently the Chief Executive at Harlow Council. He has resolved to lead Wokingham in its quest to be among the top in the UK to achieve an 'excellent' rating under the government's Comprehensive Performance Assessment within two years!