Category: Wokingham and West Berkshire Issues

I am pursuing the issues of whether the following actions would help reduce local flood risk. This includes asking the authorities what progress they have made on the possible projects beneath. I would be interested in local comment on what is needed.

1. Bund water containment on flood plain by the Emm
2. Emm deepening and widening of water course in Wokingham and Winnersh
3. Dredging of River Loddon at Loddon Bridge
4. Containment of Loddon with higher banks at Loddon bridge roundabout
5. Raising of road at Loddon bridge roundabout
6. Increased water retention capacity in safe areas in Shinfield and Arborfield
7. Further measures around Emmbrook School
8. Measure to contain water which currently can reach homes in Earley
9. Larger measures being considered for the course of the Loddon more generally

I have been asked by Councillors what I think about the Wokingham Borough policy of having weekly bin collections. I said I was strongly in favour and did not wish to see the frequency reduced. It is a good idea to tell the Council if you agree – or if you want a change in the arrangements.

On Wednesday  we debated the government’s proposals for fairer funding for schools. The Conservative Manifesto drew attention to the large gap between the best financed and worst financed state schools and promised action to provide fairer and more balanced levels of funding. The scheme includes a higher individual pupil amount that will be the same across the country, with continued additional payments for areas of deprivation, rural areas and other matters increasing the costs of education.

I raised with the Minister the question of how far the rebalancing would go. The Wokingham and West Berkshire schools have been short changed for many years by the old formula and need several years of increments to put things right.

I held a meeting with the Environment Agency and the Minister for preventing floods to ask what more action can be taken to tackle flooding issues along the Emm and Loddon rivers in Wokingham Borough. I was told that they are working on a study of the Loddon to see what additional measures should be taken. I offered suggestions on possible actions, and reminded them of the areas most liable to flood.

Cold Weather Payment has been triggered by low temperatures in Wokingham this week.  You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment/eligibility

I visited Forest School at the request of the Headteacher on Friday. I was shown the buildings, met the Head Boy and Deputy Head Boy, and discussed a wide range of issues about the success of the school and its future prospects.  I  explained that I had campaigned in the last Parliament for fairer funding for schools, as places like Wokingham have done poorly out of the grant formula in recent years. The government was elected on a promise to reform the grant allocations. The Secretary of State announced new proposals for 2018-19. I am pressing her to go further, as the gap between what we receive and what the best paid schools receive is still very large.

There are too many potholes and fraying road edges around the area. I have been pressing the government for more cash to help our Councils repair and maintain the roads to a good standard. A stitch in time can also save nine, sparing us higher cost and more delay for bigger repairs later.

Yesterday I was notified that West Berkshire will receive a total of £5 million for 2017-18 and Wokingham £3.1 million. The bulk comes from the regular maintenance budget, but there are additions from the recently established pothole fund and some from the new National Investment Productivity fund. I have urged along with other MPs that these new funds for economic improvement should allow some spending on roads as part of the package.

I look forward to seeing the results as the Councils work out the best way of spending it.

(W Berks £3.836m road maintenance, £336,000 pothole fund, £833,000 National Infrastructure Fund equals £5m;  Wokingham £2.6m road maintenance, £203,000 potholes, £537,000 National Infrastructure)

I enclose a copy of a letter I have received from Lord Ahmad, the Aviation Minister: 170112 – Lord Ahmad – Dear Colleague MPs – Consultation on Night Flights Restrictions – 2017 to 2022.

He explains that the Government has opened a consultation on night flight restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

The consultation is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/night-flight-restrictions-at-gatwick-heathrow-and-stansted. It closes on 28 February 2017.

Constituents may wish to make representations to the Government during the formal consultation period.

I have been consulting over whether local residents think building more homes at Grazeley is a good or bad idea. Both Wokingham Borough and West Berkshire Councils are attracted to the idea, but it has not been agreed as policy. I am writing a reminder today, as Wokingham Borough Council are making progress with their thinking and getting closer to making a decision.

They have consulted me. I explained that I have not yet completed my soundings with residents. I have also raised three main issues that need to be resolved before agreeing to any such a scheme.

The first is some on the Council think if they opt for a large settlement at Grazeley they will able to prevent developments elsewhere. Latest thinking from the Planning Inspectorate implies this might not be the case. If a Council opts for one major settlement and the build rate is too low in the view of the Planning Inspectors against the assumed need for homes, then they will grant planning permissions elsewhere as well. Whilst concentration of settlement may have the advantage of sparing other places and allowing substantial developer contributions for infrastructure at that place, it may also fall short of the building targets and require even more infrastructure than the developer contribution pays for.

The second issue is the provision of infrastructure. Junction 11 on the M4 is already very crowded even after the recent expansion of capacity, and capacity into Reading from the south fully used at peaks. A major settlement at Grazeley will need additional capacity for school places and GP services. Will any such scheme at Grazeley ensure the provision of sufficient additional capacity in transport and public services, and will this be put in before the homes are built?

The third issue is flood prevention. The low lying lands around the M4 absorb rainfall and run off water. Will action be taken to provide proper capacity to handle surface water and the foul water generated by many new homes?

I have suggested to the Council that they need to start by reviewing the demand side of the equation. The UK has needed many new homes in recent years because it has experienced very rapid inwards migration. 330,000 extra people a year coming here to live means the construction of a large city every year to keep pace. The government has said it intends to reduce this by two thirds or more. This needs to be factored in to any calculations about housing demand after 2020.

Following my meeting with the Minister last month I have received a letter from him which I am posting below:

161228-ministers-letter