Latest news with #BracknellForestCouncil
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plans for banking hub to open in Crowthorne church building
Plans to open a banking hub in a church building have been Cash Access UK has applied to temporarily convert an "underused office" to the east of Crowthorne Baptist Church on High Street in Crowthorne, Berkshire, into the hub for up to three hubs provide cash and basic banking services from a number of banking brands, with staff available to help customers in Forest Council has validated the application and a decision is yet to be made. The banking hubs have become essential for areas where bank branches have closed than 150 have now been opened across the a cover letter, agents Ridge and Partners LLP called the Baptist church "an important place of worship and a community facility"."For this application, Cash Access is seeking to convert a small portion of the building, currently an underused office, into a temporary cash hub located to the east of the building, away from the church itself and the community hall."This is to ensure that there is a local bank operating within the high street for all community residents, whilst Cash Access look for a more permanent building." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Council publishes SEND improvement plan
A council has published a draft plan on how it will improve its special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) service after it was found to have "widespread and systemic failings" by Ofsted. Bracknell Forest Council and Frimley Integrated Care Board were subject to a joint Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in February. A report found "too many" children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities did "not have their needs swiftly identified and met", with many missing "a substantial amount of their schooling" as a result. Cabinet member for children's services Roy Bailey apologised "unreservedly" on the council's behalf. While the inspection found examples of effective services, Ofsted and the CQC outlined three areas for priority action and seven areas for improvement. Bracknell Forest Council is submitting a priority action plan to the Department for Education, the draft of which includes creating a new SEND strategic improvement and assurance board which will meet monthly, and summarising how many children have SEND in the borough as well as forecasting future trends. The plan also says the council will conduct a "thorough" review of current SEND data, identifying gaps and areas for improvement. In April, Mr Bailey said: "We want the best possible start to life for all our children and young people and so we know we must continue with our improvement plans so they get the right, education, health and care support. "We are absolutely determined in our commitment to improve." Bracknell MP Peter Swallow said the report "has put in black and white what parents have been saying for too long". The Labour MP said: "Steps in the right direction have been made, but change must be deep and lasting - and this report gives all partners a pathway to success." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Borough's SEND service has 'widespread failings' Bracknell Forest Council Frimley Integrated Care Board Ofsted Care Quality Commission
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Rumoured assault 'appears to be fake', police say
A rumoured assault on a girl in a Berkshire town has not been reported and appears to be fake, police said. A Facebook user posted on multiple groups that their daughter had been attacked by men in Bracknell and a council said it "caused lots of concern in the community". But Thames Valley Police said it is thought to be false and urged people to report any sexual offence to the force. In a statement, it said residents "should remain cautious when reading and sharing misinformation online, especially on local social media groups, where information is not always verified". It added: "This fake report has caused concern in the have been working closely with partners to ensure our residents are safe." Bracknell Forest Council also asked people to be "extra careful" when reading and sharing information on social media. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Thames Valley Police Bracknell Forest Council
BBC News
14-05-2025
- BBC News
Rumoured assault in Bracknell 'appears to be fake', police say
A rumoured assault on a girl in a Berkshire town has not been reported and appears to be fake, police said.A Facebook user posted on multiple groups that their daughter had been attacked by men in Bracknell and a council said it "caused lots of concern in the community".But Thames Valley Police said it is thought to be false and urged people to report any sexual offence to the a statement, it said residents "should remain cautious when reading and sharing misinformation online, especially on local social media groups, where information is not always verified". It added: "This fake report has caused concern in the have been working closely with partners to ensure our residents are safe."Bracknell Forest Council also asked people to be "extra careful" when reading and sharing information on social media. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Council helps Afghan residents fleeing home country
A Berkshire town will welcome 300 Afghan residents who have fled their home country in the coming months. Bracknell Forest Council is participating in the government's Afghan Resettlement Programme, which offers relocation to its citizens. Around 300 Afghans will be supported, with additional residents expected in the future. The authority said the programme would start in the spring and it does not yet know how many more residents will arrive, or when. Those being resettled worked for, or with, the UK government to support its mission in Afghanistan - or are considered vulnerable or in danger from the Taliban, which took control of the country in 2021. Many Afghans who worked to help the UK mission in Afghanistan, including in specialist units, have been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. They are also not classed as illegal immigrants, asylum seekers or refugees, the council said. The programme comes after the defence secretary, John Healey, said local authorities were "essential to make this vision a reality". Families will arrive in three groups and can stay up to nine months in their transitional accommodation, while searching for a permanent home. Leader of Bracknell Forest Council Mary Temperton said: "We have a long history of being kind, supportive and caring to people who have experienced trauma and turbulence in their lives, meaning they can no longer stay safely in their home country." Funding for the national scheme has come from the government and does not impact local council tax. The authority is also working with NHS Frimley to offer support to new patients in the area and explained the location of transitional accommodation would not be disclosed. Ms Temperton added Bracknell Forest needed "to play our part" by offering "safe and secure" homes to the new residents. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Council to buy more homes for refugees Refugee runner is Afghan women's 'voice for change' Council given money to house Afghan refugees Village meeting held ahead of arrival of Afghans Group's three-year mission to welcome refugee family Bracknell Forest Council
