FROM WEST END

2 | NEWS HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US

Due to the coronavirus, our offices are closed to the public. The best way to contact us is by emailing us Email news@wokinghampaper.co.uk Newsroom: 0118 327 2662 Advertising: 0118 327 2662 Write to: Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS Editor • Phil Creighton Reporters • Jess Warren, Charlotte King Sports reporter • Andy Preston Graphic designer • Charlotte Simpson

From the editor Throughout this new lockdown. Wokingham.Today will continue to publish every week, just as we did during the spring.

However, with limited sport or arts events taking place, we will be producing slightly smaller papers as a result, and thank you for your understanding during this time. We thank also our advertisers who are sticking with us through these strange and difficult days.

We are making every effort to ensure that your favourite local newspaper is available to you in printed form throughout the lockdown – you will be able to buy Wokingham.Today from all good supermarkets, newsagents and petrol stations as normal. They are essential retailers and we, after all, are essential reading.

There is also a digital version of the paper, which will be available on Friday evenings.

And our website is updated seven days a week.

At times like this, it is important that the community has a local voice and we are proud to be yours. The best way for you to support us –lockdown or not – is to buy a copy each week.

Thank you for your support.

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Council objects to planning plan

A PROPOSAL from the government to shake-up the planning system has been opposed by Wokingham Borough Council.

The consultation has now closed, but before it did, council leader John Halsall sent off the borough’s objections.

The council argues that the Planning For The Future white paper would “fundamentally” change the way the planning system operates, and see a one-size-fits-all national system introduced that would frontload public consultation and detailed assessments to produce faster local plans.

But Wokingham Borough Council feels that the Government is looking towards the wrong target.

“The Government has committed to building 300,000 new homes per year across England,” said council leader John Halsall.

“As that is not happening, the planning system is being blamed.

“The planning system is complicated and cumbersome, but councils do not, in the main, build houses. Developers do and will only build when it’s profitable for them to do so. The government’s proposed changes do not address that.”

He lodged his objection during an individual executive member decision meeting, which was made on Tuesday, October 27.

Joining him in disagreeing with the white paper was Cllr Wayne Smith, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for planning and enforcement. He said: “If these proposals go through as they currently are, they would do lasting damage to Wokingham borough.

“They would take away so much of our ability to plan growth where it makes sense locally – to put the right homes in the right places – and standardise those powers across the country.

“That means that we would be following the same rules for places as diverse as a busy London borough that is fully built out, a rural district that is all countryside and a coastal area that is a tourist destination.

“These places are all so different and we need to be able to make decisions about our future at a local level.”

It follows the council’s objection to government’s other ‘changes to the planning system’ proposals last month – which outlined plans to see Wokingham take double the number of homes built in the borough each year to 1,635.

The council argued that the Government’s ideas to boost housing would not compel developers to build more homes or speed up build rates because this would drive down prices and it is not in their interests to do so.

“We have already objected to the calculation that would more than double the number of houses we need to build in the borough every year and now we are objecting to the other proposals which would reduce our ability to manage development,” Cllr Halsall said.

“We currently have one of the highest community infrastructure levy rates which means that developers pay for the infrastructure their new communities need – the roads, schools, shops, parks and open spaces, the sports facilities and community centres.

“The government is proposing to set that levy nationally, which would almost certainly result in a significantly lower rate, which would render us powerless to make developers pay for necessary infrastructure.”

Cllr Smith added: “We would also end up with far fewer affordable houses. We make developers have on average about 35% of what they build as affordable, which has made such a difference to helping our residents climb onto the housing ladder.

“The proposals reduce what we could achieve locally.”

From left: Adrian Hansel, Charlie Kristensen, Jacqueline Hughes at Auburn Jam Music preparing for the launch of the youngster’s new single

Charlie ready to take on the hit parade

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

A BOY from Arborfield who won the hearts of the nation after launching the #CheerUpCharlie initiative is taking his anti-bullying campaign to the next level.

Charlie Kristensen is joining forces with the West End to release a charity fundraising single for National Anti-Bullying Week.

The 10-year-old launched the #CheerUpCharlie campaign last year with the help of his teacher after being bullied for his love of musical theatre.

And now he’s working with a number of stars to release the single You Will Be Found, which is all about finding the courage to be yourself.

And it is in aid of The Diana Award, to raise awareness of the charity’s anti-bullying work.

Those joining Charlie on the single include Wendi Peters from Coronation Street and Matthew Croke from Aladdin, and casts from a variety of West End shows including Wicked, Hamilton, and Annie are set to feature in the music video, offering messages of support to those experiencing bullying.

“The stars are like my family,” Charlie said. “The theatre is my tribe. It’s where I belong.”

The single will be released on Sunday, November 15 to kickstart National Anti-Bullying Week which runs from Monday, November 16 until Friday, November 20.

FAMILY NOTICES

WWW.ABWALKER.CO.UK

John WITHERS Beloved husband of May, passed away on 6th November 2020 aged 74 years. Much loved father of Martin, Philip & Debbie & grandfather of Duncan, William, Max, Harry & Hugo. He will be sadly missed.

Warning over M4 closure

ALTHOUGH the government advice is to stay at home unless necessary, there will be some borough motorists who need to travel on the M4 this weekend as work on the Smart Motorway project continues.

Highways England is warning people to plan ahead as this weekend there will be a full closure between junctions 11 and 12 for resurfacing work.

Last weekend, there was a closure between junctions 10 and 11, and it is this that is pictured above.

The road will be closed from 9pm tomorrow through to 6am on Monday, November 16.

Traffic will be diverted from junction 11, north up the A33 and then south along the A4 to re-join at junction12. There will be a number of overnight closures from junction 10 to 12 during the weekdays. Drivers heading eastbound are advised to plan their journeys, allow extra time or avoid this route if possible. For more, visit highwaysengland.co.uk/ traffic or call 0300 123 5000. Elderly urged to stay safe, warm and well

AS WE head into a coronavirus winter, a Just one in four said they have one in five people aged 70 and over are helping hand is being offered to the emergency supplies put by, like a torch dreading the winter months, and we borough’s older residents, thanks to a and batteries, and the same number want to provide as much support as leading charity. keeps a list of emergency contacts to possible to those that need it. The Royal Voluntary Service has hand. “Our new advice guide provides produced an advice booklet providing One third say they spend a lot of time practical tips and information on where practical tips on staying safe, warm and sitting down over the winter months and to turn for help if needed, like the well this winter and signposts help if over one in five (21%) do little or no Priority Services Register to receiveFor advice and assistance on needed. It is aimed at the 1.7 million people in the UK who are over 70, and said to have no friends or family nearby physical activity. The same percentage (21%) said they often feel cold. support during power outages, our own local support services and how to register for NHS Volunteer Responder to support them over the coldest time To help older people and their friends, help, and the Virtual Village Hall.”

Family Law matters including:for the year. The figure came from research commissioned by the charity and its families and neighbours prepare for when temperatures drop, Royal Voluntary Service and Yakult have To download the booklet, visit: royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/safe-warmwell supporter, Yakult, and represents one-in- produced the booklet, which • Divorce and separa�on • Property/financial settlementsfive of the older population. In a separate survey, just four in 10 can be downloaded from its website. over 70s told the charity that they stock Sam Ward, director of up on essential food items like tinned services and deputy chief goods in case they can’t get out, and executive at Royal Voluntary • Child arrangements The single is being produced by has trained as an Ambassador for • Family disputesonly six in 10 cooks a hot meal each day (61%) in winter months. Service, said: “Coping in a Covid winter is going to be a

Auburn Jam Music, who approached The Diana Award, which runs the Less than two thirds (62%) said they particularly difficult experience

Charlie after hearing about his story UK’s leading anti-bullying get their boiler or heating serviced every for many older people, online. programme. year and only three in ten have their particularly those living alone • Cohabita�on agreements Last year, Charlie’s teacher reached out on Twitter for messages And he has also set up his very own online chat show to • Prenup�al agreementscarbon monoxide alarm checked annually. and without support. “We know that nearly of support for the youngster and was open up the conversation around inundated with responses – he bullying. Contact our Family Law team received support from hundreds of performers from the West End, “In each video I interview a different actor, musician or artist today for a free 1 hour consulta�on

Broadway and even Hollywood. about their lives, performing

“I was bullied really badly at background and experiences of school for doing something I love,” bullying,” he said. Evolu�on House, 53-59 Peach Street, Wokingham,Charlie explained. “I was called names and hurt just “The aim of the share is to share unknown, unheard and unlistened to RG40 1XP because I’m a boy and I like to dance. stories.”

I didn’t fit the stereotype the bullies You Will Be Found is available wanted me to. “I was very close to giving up on Tel: 0118 978 1017to pre-order now, and all proceeds from the song will go to The Diana my dream but when I received the Fund. messages from the West End Stars, I Charlie has also set up an Email: Michele.Jenno@star-legal.co.ukrealised that I was much more important than the bullies’ opinions additional fundraiser and hopes to raise £5,000 for the charity. of me.” For more information, visit:

Since then, Charlie has launched www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ www.star-legal.co.uk the #CheerUpCharlie campaign and cheerupcharlie