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The View from Shute End...
Wokingham District Councillor Annette Drake reports
Fly tipping
There are reports of 3 piece suites and other furniture dumped in hedgerows, ditches,
footpaths or streams. Their removal adds to the burden of the Council Tax payer and
therefore we need to be aware of the regulations with regard to correct disposal.
The Council's Contractor SITA offers an excellent value collection scheme for bulky
items of furniture. They will collect up to five items from one site at a cost of £17.
Fridges, which need to have special disposal treatment to comply with government
regulations, are charged separately at £27 per item. The service is free to senior
citizens. There is no charge if items are taken to a licensed tip.
SITA
can be contacted on 0800 838878.
In order to keep our District free from unsightly rubbish, the Council needs your cooperation
in ensuring that any builder or contractor employed to work on your property
is going to dispose of the waste correctly. Small traders should take waste to a licensed
tip where they will be charged based on its weight. They will be asked to complete
waste transfer documentation and are required to keep copies of this for at least 2 years.
Failure to produce documentation is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act.
Such waste may not be disposed of as part of household rubbish.
Wherever possible, please let the Council know the location, vehicle number and a brief
description of anyone seen fly-tipping. The information can be phoned through to the
Waste Services team, via the customer call desk on 0118 974 xxxx.
Health Walks
These are short walks where you are encouraged to walk at a brisk pace to increase
fitness levels. The Countryside Service has been awarded the top 3 Heart Kite mark by
the Countryside Agency
and
the British Heart Foundation for its programme of 16 free
Health Walks. These start at different venues across the district. For for a free
programme or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer leader please call Graham
Smith on 0118 973 xxxx.
Biodiversity Forum. Barn Owl Project
2006 will be the fourth year for monitoring the custom built barn owl nest boxes
installed by the Countryside Services. In 2004 only 2 chicks were recorded in the
district, however last year the owl population bounced back with a bumper 18 chicks
being found.
Wokingham District Council's Countryside Service fulfils the role of secretariat to the
Wokingham Biodiversity Forum. If you would like to get involved in monitoring the
district's barn owl population please contact andy.glencross@wokingham.gov.uk
Annette Drake
I am available (nearly) every Saturday morning between 10am -12noon:
0118 934 xxxx or by email at Anndrk@dsl.pipex.com
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