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BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Section of Kings Road in Newbury permanently closes to vehicles
A section of road has permanently closed to motorists following a public consultation. West Berkshire Council said only cyclists and pedestrians would now be able to access the section of Kings Road in Newbury between Gordon Road (east) and Windsor authority said concrete barriers would be put up after the peak traffic period earlier, with more permanent changes to road layouts and signage to follow "in the coming weeks".It said the impact of the changes would be monitored. The decision prompted dozens of people to comment when it was announced on social media. Some described it as "barmy" and "flawed", while others said it would reduce noise for residents living on the stretch of road. 'Improvements' West Berkshire Council said: "We understand that changes like this take time to get used to. "We'll be monitoring the area throughout the summer to see how traffic adjusts and to make sure everything is working as it should. "Thank you for your patience and support as we make these improvements."The council said new road signs and markings would be installed along both ends of Kings Road and the surrounding area, to direct traffic towards Hectors Way via the roundabout at Hambridge were some road closures on Wednesday evening to allow the road markings to be added. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Medway Council surveys children and young people
The views of children and young people living in Medway, Kent, are being sought in a bid to find out what it is like growing up in the Council has opened its latest child friendly survey, which runs until 27 October and is open to anyone aged up to authority said it will use the feedback to help shape its decisions in the first survey, which ran in 2021, received 3,000 responses. The council hopes to reach a higher number in the latest survey, with details on how to take part on its website.
RNZ News
13-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Tauranga ratepayers fight ‘wicked' 12% rates rise
Mark Kenyon-Slade says Tauranga rates keep going up "relentlessly". Photo: LDR / Alisha Evans Ratepayers are urging Tauranga City Council to "rein in spending" and focus on the basics to curb a "wicked" 12 percent rates rise. The council christened its new chambers on Devonport Rd on Tuesday with a meeting to hear public feedback on its Annual Plan for 2025/26. The plan, which proposed an overall rates rise of 12 percent, received 968 written submissions and 96 people asked to speak to the council directly. Submitters asked for rates to be reduced, more community facilities in Pāpāmoa, and gave feedback about Local Waters Done Well. Mark Kenyon-Slade said there was "great frustration and annoyance" because rates kept going up "relentlessly". "There's a feeling out there that council is addicted to spending. "Council needs to rein in spending. Spending other people's money is extremely easy. "It is a responsibility of us all around this room to take this more seriously." Kenyon-Slade questioned why the rates increase was 12 percent when inflation was less than 3 percent. "It's wicked, it's absolutely wicked." Ōtūmoetai resident Neil Pollett said the council's rates increase should be capped at the rate of inflation. "Ratepayers are not a bottomless pit of money that TCC can keep mining to fund its future pet projects. "A lot of residents feel unhappy with the direction of our council and feel utterly powerless in their ability to influence it." Jan Gyenge wanted no residential rates rise. Photo: LDR / Alisha Evans Jan Gyenge said the residential rates increase was not sustainable. "There should be no residential rates increase in the 2025/26 annual plan." Gyenge said $40 million in savings needed to be found so residential rates wouldn't need to be increased. "Ratepayers need to be respected." Removing that increase would make a positive step towards building people's trust and confidence in the council, she said. Mayor Mahe Drysdale said the council had found $29m in savings to bring the rates rise to 12 percent. "We are on track to hopefully find another $10 million of savings, and unfortunately that only gets us to a 10 percent average rate rise." To avoid a rates rise, the council would need to find $80m in savings, Drysdale said. Pāpāmoa resident Ron Melville said council needed to get the basics right. Photo: LDR / Alisha Evans Ron Melville of Pāpāmoa said the council should spend 50 percent of its budget on core services, 30 percent on parks, reserves and public space and 0 percent on "overpriced city centre developments". "We are not here to bankroll a downtown utopia while our own footpaths crumble and our parks go unmowed. "This is not about being anti-progress, it's about getting the basics right." Construction has started on parts of the council's $306m new civic precinct, Te Manawataki o Te Papa . Nathan York, chief executive of Pāpāmoa East-based development company Bluehaven Group, said about 30 percent of Tauranga's population lived in the eastern corridor. He wanted the council to invest in facilities for Pāpāmoa. "We're particularly keen to see an aquatic facility that meets a regional and national standard." Pāpāmoa Rugby Club chairperson Nick Jones and committee member Leah Sutton. Photo: LDR / Alisha Evans Pāpāmoa Rugby Club chairman Nick Jones said Gordon Spratt Reserve, where the club was based, was over capacity and used by many sporting codes. He asked the council for land at 4 Stevenson Drive, in Golden Sands, to be zoned active reserve so fields could be built and the club could relocate there. This would enhance recreation facilities for the growing Pāpāmoa community, he said. It would be an ideal a permanent home for the rugby club, Jones said. "Our proposal supports the social, cultural, and sporting fabric of Pāpāmoa." Submitters also spoke about Local Water Done Well. There was an even split between people who were in favour of the council joining with other councils to deliver three-waters services, and those who believed the council had good water infrastructure and didn't need to partner with others. The Annual Plan and Local Water Done Well hearings would continue on Thursday. The council would deliberate on the Annual Plan on 26 May. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Views sought on the future development of Immingham
People living in Immingham are being asked about their views on the future of the local council is drawing a new town plan which will outline future Town Council said it was a chance for residents, businesses and other local organisations to tell planners "what they would like to see".An online survey will run for four weeks and responses will be used to develop further feedback sessions, the council said. Results of the research will be used to develop the Immingham Forward Karen Swinburn, Town Council Chair and Lady Mayor of Immingham, said: "This is your chance to tell us what you like about Immingham and where you would like to see improvements. "We want to know what you think as your views are vital to shaping the future of the town going forward."The survey will take just a few minutes to complete but may have an impact on the shape of Immingham to come."Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
