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Fri 25 March 2022:
Your regular update from Reading Borough Council on our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how you can help
A message from Reading Borough Council leader Jason Brock

The Reading COVID infection rate is increasing again, with over 750 reported cases per 100,000 people and potentially much higher with the possibility that people are testing less now.  
 
You can reduce your risk of catching and passing on COVID-19 by:

  • Getting vaccinated. The Broad Street Mall walk-in vaccine centre is open every day including weekends 9am-7pm. No appointment is needed and it’s never too late to get your first vaccine – every vaccine you have makes a difference.
  • Taking a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms, and staying at home and avoiding contact with other people if you test positive.
  • Wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially where you come into contact with people you don’t usually meet and when rates of transmission are high.
  • Taking a lateral flow test before visiting or meeting someone who is older and/or may be vulnerable.
  • Letting fresh air in if meeting indoors to reduce COVID particles in the air.
  • Regularly washing your hands thoroughly.

From 1 April the Government will no longer provide free universal testing for the general public. As a result Reading’s PCR testing sites at Battle Street and University of Reading will be closing on Wednesday 30 March. The lateral flow testing site at the Town Hall will be closing on Thursday 31 March.
 
Ukraine – how you can help
I’m sure that, like me, you remain deeply concerned and saddened by the war in Ukraine and the effect it is having on its people. If you would like to help, you can make a difference here in Reading and provide help for those affected. Following direct discussions with representatives of the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre, we’re asking residents to support the Community Centre through financial donations to help them with the costs of sending aid to Ukraine and preparing for the arrival of Ukrainian refugees in Reading. The money raised will go directly to the Community Centre to enable it to support fellow Ukrainians in any way it can. You can donate via the Mayoral appeal for financial donations

More details on the Homes for Ukraine refugee support scheme, and other ways you can assist, can be found on our website.
 
Elections – are you registered to vote?
On Thursday 5 May, residents will be voting on who will represent them with all 48 of the borough’s seats up for election at the first all-out elections for 18 years. I encourage anyone not already registered to apply now to ensure you are on the Electoral Register before the registration deadline of Thursday 14 April. The easiest way to register is online. If you choose to vote by post, you can download the Absent Vote application forms online. The deadline to apply is 5pm on Tuesday 19 April. Polling cards will begin to be despatched from March 30.

There are new ward boundaries and some new polling stations, so watch out for details on your polling card when it arrives. You can view an interactive map of the new wards on the Local Government Boundary Commission’s website.
 
Unleashed Performance Reading Half Marathon
Another important date for your diary coming up is the Unleashed Performance Reading Half Marathon, taking place next Sunday 3 April. It starts and finishes at the Select Car Leasing Stadium and, if you’re not taking part, you’re invited to come and support runners along the route. If you’re neither running nor spectating, be aware of road closures along the route which will be in place at various times between 7am and 3pm. Diversion routes will be in effect, but please allow extra time for your journey. You can read our list of which roads will be affected here.
 
Changes to Prospect Park – have your say
As part of the Council’s major investment across Reading’s parks, a major investment of £530,000 will be made in Prospect Park for a brand new play area and we want you to help choose it from four exciting proposals through our consultation, which is open now until Friday 22 April. The winning design will be announced at the end of April. The new play area will be designed to allow much better access to and around the play area and will be as inclusive as possible – aiming to challenge, excite and inspire as well as encourage children of all abilities to play together.

This project is just one aspect of the enhancement and investment being made within Prospect Park, which also includes a significant investment in creating a new multi-use activity centre in part of the pavilion building and a 9-hole mini golf course. The activity centre will have a phased opening over the next few months, and you can find out more about the completion of this exciting project below, including watching a video of the progress.

Leisure development progressing well
Our major work to construct Reading’s flagship new leisure centre at Rivermead is gathering momentum, with the steel frame of the building now taking shape. Construction of the frame for the new leisure centre is the next key event in our £40 million investment in modern leisure facilities for Reading, including delivering brand new pools, a modern leisure centre and improvements to existing leisure facilities, by spring 2023. You can view the latest video and images of progress below.

Debt Awareness Week
It is Debt Awareness Week and we are urging residents not to suffer money worries in silence, and reminding them, which includes assistance from the Council. Our Money Matters website brings together a host of valuable free information which residents can access to help them improve their financial situation, including a benefit checker and a directory of local and national advice services available. Find out more about Debt Awareness Week and the help available below.
 
Switch it off for Earth Hour
On Saturday 26 March at 8.30pm you can show you support for our planet and join millions of people across the world, raising awareness of nature loss and climate change by switching off your lights. For more details visit www.earthhour.org.

PROSPECT PARK PLAY CENTRE TRANSFORMATION NEARS COMPLETION



Our exciting new destination for activities, entertainment and learning for families and children from across Reading and beyond is nearing completion, with a new play hub and activity centre set to open in part of the pavilion building at Prospect Park after a £500,000 investment.

As part of our ambition to improve health and drive up participation in outdoor and active play, the fantastic new facilities will include:
  • accessible outdoor family adventure 9-hole mini-golf featuring Reading landmarks;
  • an indoor ‘Sky Tykes’ low ropes course for younger children age 7 and under;
  • a café facility with indoor and outdoor seating;
  • new toilet facilities (including an accessible Changing Places facility);
  • multi-function room for parties, meetings and teaching, including those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) or excluded from mainstream education;
  • an outdoor education area that will also support Reading Play’s educational outreach work which includes using play as a tool to improve particularly vulnerable young people’s social skills and wellbeing.
The activity centre will have a phased opening over the next few months, with the finishing touches currently being made to the mini golf, with a view to this activity opening in late April. You can view photos of the latest progress and watch our latest video.

Don’t forget we also want your opinion on which outdoor playground design to choose through our consultation which ends on 22 April. You can see the choices and cast your vote here.
LATEST PROGRESS ON LEISURE DEVELOPMENT



Progress on Reading’s flagship new leisure centre at Rivermead has been captured in recent drone footage and site visit photographs. The stunning aerial footage shows the latest progress on the Rivermead construction site, with the outline of the new pools, with parts of the steel frame of the new centre visible.
 
As well as watching the video you can view photos from the latest site visit.
 
The new Rivermead facilities will include:
  • 25m 8 lane competition pool, with moveable pool floor
  • A combined teaching and diving pool with a moveable floor
  • 25m 5 lane club/swim lesson pool
  • Splash pad for younger users
  • A café, information hub, and soft play
  • A 6-court sports hall with 250 spectator seats
  • A 120-station gym with 3 studios
  • A new outside play area
There has been further good news this week for the project’s green credentials, as we announced a commitment of a further £976,248 for additional carbon reduction measures at the new leisure facilities at Rivermead and Palmer Park, as we work towards our net zero carbon target by 2030.  
DON'T SUFFER MONEY WORRIES IN SILENCE - WE'RE HERE TO HELP



It is Debt Awareness Week, designed to promote conversation about debt and the advice and help available to people who are struggling. We don’t want you to suffer in silence, so please make a note of the assistance that we can provide.

Our Money Matters website brings together a host of valuable free information which residents can access to help them improve their financial situation, including a benefit checker and a directory of local and national advice services available.

A team of highly trained and friendly advisors at the Council are on hand to help its tenants and any residents affected by the benefit cap or at risk of homelessness, by providing free, confidential, impartial, personalised advice.

As well as general debt advice, the team can:
  • Explore ways to increase income and reduce outgoings.
  • Check you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to.
  • Advise on bills/debts that need to be paid to keep important goods and services.
  • Support you to make an informed decision how you would like to deal with your debts.
  • Understand benefit awards and help you to challenge decisions.
  • Plan your spending and get back in control of your finances.
The Council has also launched a Click Before You Evict website containing a series of tools, help and advice videos for landlords and tenants to help them work together to address issues that may otherwise lead to significant problems with a tenancy, and could lead to an eviction.

Residents can find out more about the advice services available locally and nationally on the Council’s Money Matters website and find out more about StepChange and the support they provide on their website
KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST COVID-19 RESPONSE NEWS FROM READING BOROUGH COUNCIL

With the latest advice and service information changing regularly, you can keep up to date by following our dedicated page to the Covid-19 response here: https://www.reading.gov.uk/coronavirus
Please also follow us on Facebook and Twitter (links below) for regular updates.
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