Council Leader's Blog

Bearing in mind the headlines that have been appearing and the comments from some commentators that one might be mistaken for thinking that some people have not read the “One Place” Area Assessment for our Borough. I would suggest that they not only read it (the comments below are word for word from our Report) but compare it to our neighbours were comments like “crime rose last year” or “health is improving” or “education results are in line with the average for similar areas.”

Let us look at the Report:

A lot of people are satisfied with Wokingham Borough as a place to live – a little less than 90% – which is higher than most other places. Local people are satisfied with most of the services delivered by the Council including waste collection and recycling.

Support is available for young people to help them through the (Economic) downturn. Preparation for the return to full economic activity is in hand, such as preparing redevelopment proposals for Wokingham Town Centre.

House prices are high and the number of homes being built that people can afford is below the number required and targets set. Has anyone heard there is a recession and houses are not being built?

Crime is low in Wokingham compared to the national average and similar areas. When crime occurs action to tackle it is usually quick and local people are informed about what is happening.

Education standards are high with good exam results and well above average compared to similar areas in England as a whole.

People in the borough are generally healthy.

Services for older people are rated by the Care Quality Commission as performing well. Older people receive support to live independently in their own homes and the Council listens to what they want.

The Council has a good track record in delivering value for money and efficiency.

The Council’s finances are sound.

Roads are well maintained and the M4 Junction 11 improvements are designed to improve traffic flow.

 However, and there always is an however, There were serious doubts about child protection in Wokingham and this is an area receiving further action.

 Safeguarding was judged inadequate following an inspection published early in 2009. The Council’s performance in 2008/9 was in the bottom 25% of all councils.  Note this was early 2009 and that no children had suffered the position since April 2009 puts Wokingham Borough in the top quartile of all councils.

When asked some 90% of our residents were satisfied with Wokingham compared to 64% in Slough, 86% in Windsor, 76% in Reading, 85% in West Berkshire and 83% in Bracknell.

So a big thank you, on behalf of all residents (even those who criticise without reading the report) to all our staff for a job well done – and a job well done with the least help from Government (did I tell you that our Borough receives the lowest amount of money of any unitary authority – Reading for example receives over twice what we do).

And did you know that in spite of being the worst funded authority our Band D Council Tax is only £20 per year more than the national average Band D of £1,414 which shows that good financial management is exercised by your Council.

I’ll be back with my next online instalment in a fortnight or so – unless, of course, something tickles my fancy or rattles my cage before then! If there’s anything you’d like me to blog on about, please shout! Please also let me know if there is anything you are concerned about in your neighbourhood or the borough as a whole.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Cllr David Lee

Leader of Wokingham Borough Council