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David Lee: 'This is a huge vote of confidence'
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£2.5 million boost to help build Wokingham communities

December 21, 2012

Funding of £2.5 million has been awarded to Wokingham borough to help create communities at future housing developments with schools, transport links and open spaces.

By 2026 10,000 homes will be built in four sites, known as strategic development locations (SDLs) across the borough.

Wokingham Borough Council received the Government funding for the next three years on Thursday to help make developments successful.

Council leader Councillor David Lee said: “This is a huge vote of confidence that the Government recognises our borough can deliver quality communities that will become great places to live along with much needed infrastructure.

“The Government believes the economy needs house building but what our borough needs is to make sure the houses built become real communities where there are great schools, open spaces, places for children to play, community facilities and good transport links. This funding will help us achieve those things.”

Cllr Lee, Wokingham MP John Redwood and Wokingham Borough Council chief executive Andy Couldrick visited Housing Minister Mark Prisk in September to set out the borough’s case.

Heather Thwaites, strategic director for development and regeneration, said: “This funding provides a serious boost to the work we have already been doing. We have recently set up a team with a dedicated lead planning officer for each SDL and have established community forums to make sure people are kept involved as the development takes place.

“This money will be a great boost to our efforts.”

A breakdown of how the funding will be allocated has not been finalised, but it will be used to pay for design work on major projects such as schools, roads, and community facilities.

The forums have been established for the four SDLs; Arborfield, South of the M4, North Wokingham and South Wokingham, as well as Woodley.

Visit www.wokingham.gov.uk/communities/communityforums or email sdl.forums@wokingham.gov.uk to find out more.

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forum noun ( MEETING ) /ˈfɔː.rəm//ˈfɔːr.əm/ [C]

Definition a situation or meeting in which people can talk about a problem or matter especially of public interest a forum for debate/discussion ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

This implies that WBC are going to start a discussion, two way communication, listen even, but it's in direct conflict to the statement "By 2026 10,000 homes WILL be built in four sites"

I strongly recommend that people turn up face to face with the Cllrs at these events and tell them what you think.

TOWN PARISH AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FORUM 2013- 14 MEETING DATES http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=219535&type=full&servicetype=Attachment

Local Woky, Wokingham
27/12/2012 at 08:26

I am sick hearing the retort that 'Wokingham is poorly funded'. If you look at the overall money that Wokingham has, it is about mid-table. Why? - Wokingham residents PAY THIER COUNCIL TAX.

Razor Breath
22/12/2012 at 12:58

I would suggest that this is not a huge vote of confidence but rather obviously going to happen. This is and always has been a tory council, the money was never going to go to a labour or lib council! Get a grip Mr Lee.

Little Voice
22/12/2012 at 10:05

I was under the impression that Wokingham was one ofthe very few councils that had not had fund cuts?

Little Voice
22/12/2012 at 09:58

Tahir - surely this is just a one-off isn't it? I think it's widely acknowledged and accepted that Wokingham is very poorly funded from central Government (and about to be even worse funded as of this week!), not just a Tory excuse.