Latest news with #ReadingCouncil
BBC News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Reading buskers given official guidance for performing
Buskers in a town centre will have to comply with a code of conduct to Borough Council has backed guidance for performers after a consultation and "feedback" gathered by Reading Business Improvement District (BID).The authority said the town's atmosphere was "often enhanced by talented buskers", but some can "detract rather than enhance" people's visits.A guide has been released that details how buskers and businesses can work together to "understand how they can add to the vibrancy" to Reading. The guidance states: "Buskers and street performers should consider their intended presence, performance and location carefully to avoid generating unnecessary complaints."Songs should not be repeated and performers should be considerate with the volume used."Reading BID has released the document as part of anti-social behaviour (ASB) awareness Alexa Volker said: "We hope that busking brings and added benefit to your visit, but we do know from some negative feedback that sometimes it doesn't and sometimes the noise levels can be too high."This is why we have worked with the council and done a public and business consultation that has pulled together a guide that we have been using with businesses and with our local buskers." Ms Volker said the aim of the guide was to help businesses understand buskers "are a great addition to our town"."We hope this guide will help buskers tone down their volume and also for our retailers to be able to engage with those buskers, just so that each can understand how they can add to the vibrancy of our town centre." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook and X.
Sharjah 24
7 days ago
- General
- Sharjah 24
SFD discusses cultural and social issues via "Reading Council"
Exploring crime and mystery literature During this session, the focus was on crime and mystery literature. Participants shared their thoughts on why so many people are drawn to this genre, its history, and the key elements that make a great story. They also explored how plots and characters are created and discussed what the future might hold for this genre in the Arab world. Additionally, the conversation included blogging, emphasizing its role in sharing ideas, its benefits for mental health and understanding, and inspiring stories of how blogging has helped shape thoughtful societies. The importance of continuous learning Huda Al Yasi, who leads the Financial System Department and serves as the Secretary-General of the Reading Council, highlighted the Council's dedication to fostering an open and engaging environment for discussing real-life issues. She stressed that reading is a powerful tool for learning and making positive changes in society. Huda mentioned, "The Reading Council is vital for the cultural growth initiatives adopted by our department. It gives participants a chance to explore new ideas, connect with enlightening experiences, and helps build a community that can express their thoughts with confidence and awareness. This reflects our commitment to supporting ongoing education as an essential part of both institutional and social growth." Addressing real-life issues The session also tackled the serious issue of bullying, discussing what it is and why it occurs. Participants considered whether bullying is something we learn from others or if it's part of who we are, and they proposed practical ways to combat this problem. Additionally, they examined the topic of people-pleasing, looking into why some individuals feel the need to constantly seek approval from others, its effects, and when it's okay to say "no." They offered useful strategies for breaking away from this habit. In the segment on Artificial Intelligence (AI), participants explored what AI is, how it impacts our daily lives, and what role it may play in the future across various industries. They also addressed the ethical and societal challenges that come with advancements in this important field.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Authority plans anti-social behaviour clampdown
A plan to clampdown on anti-social behaviour in a town, including aggressive begging and street drinking, could be rolled out if backed by councillors. Reading council wants to introduce a borough-wide public spaces protection order (PSPO), which the authority said will make it easier to stop nuisance and is supported by police. It said it knew of 116 reports of aggressive begging in the Berkshire town between June and December last year, with a "very small cohort" of people regularly targeting vulnerable people for money. The borough council said it has learned from using a PSPO between 2018 and 2021, which it said was "not as effective as had been hoped" because of a lack of enforcement. It said "problematic street drinking" is "prevalent" across the town and that the PSPO would help council staff and police enforce rules on street drinking which they are currently "unable to do". The order would also help the council stop and prevent dog fouling across Reading's 20 parks and other informal open spaces, the authority said. It said it would use it as an "additional tool" to stop anti-social behaviour and would be used first as a "preventative measure…to request that the behaviour is stopped before a breach occurs". The council hopes the anti-social use of e-scooters and e-bikes – which it said is the "most commonly complained about issue across the borough – could also be alleviated by the PSPO. Councillors will be asked for their opinions on the potential rollout at a meeting on Wednesday. If approved, a consultation on the measures could start on 21 July, with feedback with the police potentially completed by the end of October. A report could be referred back to councillors by mid-November. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook and X. Designs for town's new central library released New replacement driving test centre set to open Town centre offices to be converted into flats Jane Austen plaque installed at former school Reading Borough Council
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
Reading Borough Council plans anti-social behaviour clampdown
A plan to clampdown on anti-social behaviour in a town, including aggressive begging and street drinking, could be rolled out if backed by council wants to introduce a borough-wide public spaces protection order (PSPO), which the authority said will make it easier to stop nuisance and is supported by said it knew of 116 reports of aggressive begging in the Berkshire town between June and December last year, with a "very small cohort" of people regularly targeting vulnerable people for borough council said it has learned from using a PSPO between 2018 and 2021, which it said was "not as effective as had been hoped" because of a lack of enforcement. It said "problematic street drinking" is "prevalent" across the town and that the PSPO would help council staff and police enforce rules on street drinking which they are currently "unable to do".The order would also help the council stop and prevent dog fouling across Reading's 20 parks and other informal open spaces, the authority said it would use it as an "additional tool" to stop anti-social behaviour and would be used first as a "preventative measure…to request that the behaviour is stopped before a breach occurs".The council hopes the anti-social use of e-scooters and e-bikes – which it said is the "most commonly complained about issue across the borough – could also be alleviated by the will be asked for their opinions on the potential rollout at a meeting on approved, a consultation on the measures could start on 21 July, with feedback with the police potentially completed by the end of October. A report could be referred back to councillors by mid-November. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook and X.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Designs for Reading's planned new central library released
Images showing how a town's new "big, bright and beautiful" central library could look have been released. Reading Borough Council is building a new library in the Civic Centre in Bridge Street, which will open in spring 2026 and replace the current central library in Kings wants residents to give their views about what they most value so they can be reflected in the final will include specific areas for children, teenagers, local history study and quiet study. "I am so excited to share these designs for our fantastic new library. It is going to be big, bright, and beautiful," Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading Council's lead councillor for leisure and culture, said."The designs include features suggested by library users, including informal seating for teens and better equipped spaces for people to study and work."But we don't only want your opinions on the layout and furnishings. We also want you to tell us which elements of our library service are most important to you, so we can ensure our libraries are delivering for everyone in our town."Residents can fill out an online form here or fill out a paper form at any of the town's libraries before 26 July. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
