How can we help you? Residents' advice surgeries in #parkward #rdguk

If you have any issues of concern your Park Ward Green Party councillors – Jamie Whitham, Melanie Eastwood and Rob White – will be holding the following residents' advice surgeries. No appointment necessary.

Friday, September 27, outside Newtown primary school, School Terrace, 3 PM to 3:30 PM

Friday, October 18, outside Alfred Sutton primary school, Wokingham Road, 3 PM to 3:30 PM

Friday, November 22, at the junction of Church Road and St Peter’s Road, in the vicinity of Earley St Peter’s primary school, from 3 PM to 3:30 PM

King’s Meadow Baths #rdguk saved, but will you be able to afford to go in?

One of the biggest items on the agenda of the Policy committee earlier in the week was King's Meadow Baths – item 8 on the agenda.

There were a number of organisations/people who had expressed an interest in acquiring the site from the Council each with a different opinion on how the baths should be restored.

Labour's preferred option was Clifton Lido. I'm sure they will do a good job of restoring the baths, but the per swim price mentioned of £20 is going to be unaffordable for many people.

Their second preference was Mr Ali's scheme but unfortunately he proposes to fill the pool in.

I voted in support of the King's Meadow Campaign proposal which called on the council to provide backing for a national lottery bid. Unfortunately we were defeated. So it would seem that we are either going to end up with a pool which is too expensive or no pool.

Warm Homes Initiative comes to Newtown #rdguk

We have been lobbying for a while for the Council to bring its Green, Warmer, Safer campaign to Newtown. This offered free insulation measures amongst other things to everyone in a particular area and the Council has been working round areas of deprivation.

This scheme has changed its name to the Warm Homes Initiative and unfortunately there is less money available, but it has made it to Newtown.

There is still lots that you can get for free which can make a real difference to tackling climate change and your bills. See below for the flier – click to make the pages bigger..

Travellers in Palmer Park #rdguk

Below is an update from the Council on the travellers who are in Palmer Park:

Officers have now served notices on the two caravans at Palmer Park which arrived this afternoon. These vehicles are part of the same traveller group who have been setting up camp at many sites across Reading over the last several weeks.

They gained access onto the site by driving onto the footpath from the corner of Wokingham road and Palmer Park Avenue. They did not force entry and therefore no damage was caused.

Rebecca Wrigley will be attending site first thing tomorrow with the police and will be carrying out the necessary welfare checks.

It is expected more caravans will arrive tonight and Parks staff will be serving the necessary papers on the new traveller arrivals first thing tomorrow.

It is hoped that the police will use their Section 61 powers as the group grows, and we will update you as soon as we have further information.

Please let me know if you have any questions in the meantime.

Arthur Hill reopens, Council buys East Reading education site and action session all in Reading Green News

Below is our latest monthly email newsletter. Sign up here: http://greenparty.org.uk/signup

Hello

As always you can find below a selection of what your local Green Party has been up to over the last month. If you are on Facebook we have started a new page to keep people updated on our work. Please ‘like’ us.

Park Ward councillors welcome the reopening of Arthur Hill swimming pool

Council buys west end of old TVU site from housing developer

Reading Pupils mark Malala Day

Residents benefit from bus lane extension

No council tenant will be evicted solely on bedroom tax arrears

More electric car charging points coming to Reading

Sleeping rough so others don’t have to

Open letter: Our NHS is not a cash cow

Major work planned for Reading’s woodlands

And coming up we have an action session and social in East Reading:

Doorknocking and delivering session promoting Reading RESCUE (community litter pick) followed by a barbecue (optimistic we know) on Saturday, September 21, meeting at 11 AM at 69 Coventry Road, RG1 3ND. Email us for more details or have a look at the Facebook event here.

Best wishes

Rob White, Melanie Eastwood and Jamie Whitham

Green Party councillors, Reading

Arthur Hill swimming pool reopened #rdguk

I popped into the newly reopened Arthur Hill swimming pool this morning. The attendant was kind enough to give me a tour of the works. Forgive my massive oversimplification, but the corroded beam (top right of the photo running from back to front) has been repaired and better supported (white pillars running from ceiling to floor) – see my photo below. The poolside has also been resealed.