Wokingham Borough Liberal Democrats

26/10/2026

Great news! From today, you can use all of your monthly free DIY allowance at the re3 Recycling centres in one trip.
Cllr Stephen Newton, Executive member for Recycling and Waste has the update, and check out the re3 website for more.

23/10/2026

MP Clive Jones commemorates Wear it Pink Day

Today is Day, and this week I joined Breast Cancer Now in Parliament alongside Wera Hobhouse to raise awareness of breast cancer and support everyone affected by the disease.

Cancer patients deserve quicker diagnoses, faster treatment and better outcomes. That's why I'm supporting the National Cancer Plan and pushing for my Cancer Reporting and Strategy Bill.

My Bill would require annual reports to Parliament on progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes, helping to ensure the Government is held accountable for improving cancer care.

The Bill's Second Reading is on Friday 13 November.

21/10/2026

Cllr Chetna Jamthe and the team have been speaking with residents and the police in light of a spate of home burglaries which have particularly affected local South Asian families.

Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to attend the below 'Burglary and Crime Prevention Forum' taking place on Thursday evening.

19/10/2026

Councillor Louise Timlin celebrates the diversity of Wokingham Borough and explains the benefits it brings

Wokingham is a wonderful place to live, not least because of the people who make up our communities. While our

12/10/2026

🚸 Taking action to make our streets safer.

The first Safer Streets proposals are now out for your views. Five pilot areas have been identified for lower speed limits:
📍 Wokingham town centre and Norreys Avenue
📍 Twyford & Ruscombe
📍 Finchampstead village
📍 Silverdale Road area, Earley
📍 Hare Hatch rural roads

Earlier this year, more than 800 of you sent in nearly 2,000 suggestions, and town and parish councils told us their priorities. Every area was scored on safety evidence, how much safer it would make the area, and local support.

This isn't a blanket change - it's about the right limit in the right place: town and village centres, residential streets and rural lanes where people are most at risk.
Lower speeds mean fewer and less serious collisions for everyone. Calmer streets for the people who live on them, and more confidence to walk, wheel or cycle short trips.

Last year 253 people were hurt on our roads, around five every week. And if people feel safe enough to walk or cycle more local trips, we can reduce congestion and air pollution too.

This is just the start, and more areas will follow. Whether you're supportive or have concerns, please tell the council what you think by 9 November 👉 https://engage.wokingham.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/putting-people-first-on-our-streets-safer-streets-programme

We promised residents we'd act to make our streets safer for everyone who uses them, and these proposals are an important next step.

08/10/2026

A large new data centre has been proposed at Thames Valley Park, and we think it needs to do much more for our environment and for local people 🌍

The outline plans would replace three former Microsoft office buildings with a 72MW data centre. Only a small grid connection is available at first, so the site would run on gas-powered fuel cells. The network operator's backstop date for a larger connection is 2037, and even then only 55% of the site's peak demand is secured. That means gas could keep running alongside the grid.

We recognise that digital infrastructure supports jobs, businesses and national security. But we have two big concerns:

⚡ Energy: relying on fossil fuels for a decade or more. Cllr Lou Timlin, Executive Member for Climate Emergency, said: "On the applicant's own figures, this would become the largest single source of emissions in our borough, equal to around a quarter of the entire Borough's carbon footprint."

🏥 The bigger picture for the site: Thames Valley Park is one of the potential locations for the new Royal Berkshire Hospital, and it could also provide much-needed brownfield homes. Clive Jones MP said: "Nothing built there should raise any doubt about a secure, reliable power supply that could cause further delays in delivering the new Hospital."

If the data centre does go ahead, we want to see real community benefit. Waste heat could warm local homes and businesses through heat networks, including Reading's planned town-wide scheme. At the moment the application only safeguards space for a connection and doesn't commit to building or funding one. We welcome the decision not to use water for cooling, but residents must be protected from the noise generated by air cooling systems.

The decision rests with the council's Planning Committee, whose members will consider it independently and strictly against planning policy. Your views matter, so please take a look at the plans and comment by 29 October.
👉 Planning reference: 262274

Read the full article: https://www.wokinghamlibdems.org.uk/news/article/07-10-26-data-centre-proposal

07/10/2026

Great to see the new post-16 SEND hub in Denmark street open for learning!

06/10/2026

🏡 Seen the new map of possible development sites in the Borough? Here's what it means.

You may have seen land near you marked on the council's new Local Plan 2045 map. It's understandable to be concerned about this, so here are the key facts.

📍 A site on the map is not a decision. Every site was suggested by a landowner, developer or other interested party. Each one will be assessed, and many won't go any further.

📈 Why is this happening now? In 2024 the government raised Wokingham's housing target from around 750 homes a year to more than 1,300. The council has to plan for that, so work on a new Local Plan has begun.

🛡️ There is some breathing room. The current plan, based on the lower figure, is on track for adoption early next year. That will give the borough stronger protection from speculative development while the new plan is prepared.

We know people need homes, including young people who want to stay in the area where they grew up, and key workers our schools and care services depend on. But we think the borough is being asked to take too many, and we'll keep making that case.

🗣️ Have your say. The council's consultation on what the new plan should focus on is open until Monday 16 November. Find the map, the timetable and the consultation on the council website - link in comments.

Want a fuller picture? Find out more here: https://www.wokinghamlibdems.org.uk/news/article/the-local-plan-2045-new-sites-map and let us know if you have any questions.

02/10/2026

Great to see Earley Town Council expanding their youth club provision - weekly sessions now available to people from the age of 8.

Cllr David Hare, Lib Dem leader of Earley Town Council, said "Young people in Earley have told us they want somewhere to go, and a place to belong. Offering Youth Clubs from the age of eight means they can find that earlier, and carry it with them as they grow up."

More details at the link in comments 👇

If you want to find out more about what town councils do, get in touch. Earley Town, Wokingham Town, Woodley Town and Earley Town Council all have elections next year so it's a great chance to get involved in your local community.

Poster from Earley Town Council