Partners at Palmer Park Library

Today was the launch of the Palmer Park Library partnership where students from Reading College will work alongside library staff.  The partnership will offer students with learning difficulties the chance to gain work experience and life skills. 

I chatted with some of the students and it was clear they were enjoying their time at the library.  I was told how they had learned to use the till, check for book requests and could prepare books to be transferred to other libraries.

Their teachers told me how the work experience had help improve the students maths and literacy skills as they were using them in real-life scenarios.  Students will be working in the library for up to years allowing them to consolidate their skills, something short placements usually cannot do.

I used by mayoral cake cutting skills once again and formally launched the partnership alongside faculty manager Scott Reilly. I look forward to seeing how the students develop during their placements and have promised to pop in a couple of times to say hello.

This partnership has also allowed us to protect the library service at Palmer Park in the face of huge cuts to the council's budget by the Conservative government.  Despite huge budget pressures I am determined to protect these vital community services. 

Notes on service changes from the Reading Borough Council press release:

"The review of library services is just one of many areas where the Council has had to identify savings in the face of severe and unprecedented Government cuts in funding and increased demands on Council services. In July 2016, Policy Committee endorsed a new library service offer to deliver a £290,000 saving and to modernise the service.  Changes included new ways of working in partnership, reduced opening times reflecting customer preference and usage patterns; better use of buildings and co-locating services; making the best use of technology and saving money through re-negotiating with stockists.

Customers can now access a new catalogue website, designed with enhanced functions and a modern, user-friendly look and feel. New self-service kiosks have been introduced across all Reading libraries; offering a quick and efficient way of issuing, returning and paying for items.

Since the beginning of April, there have been new opening times across all libraries. To view the revised times, visit here: www.reading.gov.uk/librarybranches

In Spring 2018, Whitley library will relocate to a new home at South Reading Youth and Community Centre and in Summer 2018 Southcote library will relocate to a new home at Southcote Community Centre.

The full report to Policy can be viewed here:
http://www.reading.gov.uk/media/5707/Item10/pdf/Item10.pdf"

Reading Labour Manifesto Launches

I am proud to present Reading Labour's Manifesto for the May 2012 local elections.  Please click to read the full publication:

Labour’s key pledges in this election are to:

• Fight for a new secondary school for all 11 – 18 year olds in East Reading

• Keep Reading clean with a crackdown on graffiti and fly-tipping

• Promote jobs and investment

• Use the Council’s watchdog powers to stand up for the NHS

• Protect Reading’s green spaces

• Continue to involve the public more effectively

• Find further efficiency savings

• Restore free OAP bus travel from 9am

• Protect libraries, youth clubs and children’s centres

• Promote environmental responsibility – the Council will lead by example and encourage others

• Create a New Local Partnership to stand up for Reading 
  

Ed Miliband at the launch of Reading Labour Party's manifesto with candidates Rose Williams, Eileen McElligot, Jo Lovelock, Tony Jones, Gul Khan, Duncan Bruce, Daya Pal Singh, Liz Terry and Haji Banaras.

 
 

Working Better With You - Battle

Last year Reading Borough Council held a series of Let's Talk events.  There was an on-line survey, leaflet, letters were sent out and two events held in every ward.  This all culminated in the Working Better With You event at the Town Hall in November.

It was during this event that the priorities for Reading residents were revealed.  The feed back from Let's Talk can be found as a pdf at the bottom of this page.

The priorities in Battle were found to be:

Important: Health services, libraries, public transport,
education and play activities for children

Improve: Tougher licensing laws for shops selling
alcohol cheaply, removal of street drinking around
Oxford Road.

While setting the budget for 2012/2013 the Labour administration have had the priorities of residents at the forefront of their minds.  Funds are tight and it's important that valued services are maintained and protected wherever possible.

Battle councillors Chris Maskell, Gul Khan (also our candidate in May's local elections) and I are already taking the results above very seriously.

Residents say health services are important but we have all just found out the promised medical centre on the former hospital sit will not be built.  Battle councillors have expressed their anger and concern about this massive disappointment and will be working hard to ensure residents concerns are taken seriously.

We are also considering the future of the Oxford Road once the Cow Lane bottle neck has been removed in 2015.  The road has already been resurfaced and unnecessary street furniture removed.  We are now looking for further improvements in the next few years.

We are working with local police and the Oxford Road Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) about concerns with public drinking, alcohol sales and street workers near West Reading bridge.

There are many other things we are working on for the neighbourhood as a whole, certain areas and individuals.  If you need our assistance, please get in touch.

New reward and loyalty scheme for Reading residents

There are a lot of great initiatives going to council Cabinet on Monday.  Here is the press release for proposals to revamp 'Your Reading Passport' with rewards for people who frequently use Reading Borough Councils sport and leisure facilities, libraries and arts and entertainment venues.

"Money Saving Incentives For Residents

21/11/2011
Reading Borough Council Press Release

Money saving incentives for Reading residents could be introduced if a new reward and loyalty scheme gets the go-ahead from councillors.