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Don't be fooled. They have done this to 'off set' this land (flood plain), to the land they have ear marked for housing!

Thank you everyone, the book has been found.

The Maidenhead Support Group for Thames Hospice are doing their annual Christmas parcel wrapping in Nicholson's Walk. They are rapidly running out of Christmas wrapping paper, bows, ribbons etc. If you are able to donate some rolls of paper or additional supplies please would you take them to the team located in the middle of Nicholson's walk, just in front of the large Christmas tree. Those who have their parcels wrapped give a donation to the Hospice. The fundraising push is urgent as the Hospice are due to begin work on the new, larger, Hospice between Maidenhead and Windsor at the beginning of next year. This new facility will provide much-needed additional services such as Hospice at home and training facilities. All wrapping paper and other donations will be gratefully received. Thank you.

Morning everyone! Just wondered whether anyone has found this book on the High Street in Cookham by any chance? Many thanks. Merry Christmas!
sarah_parfitt@mail.com

The Royal Borough has purchased 110 acres of land between Maidenhead and Cookham to safeguard the open green space and improve access for residents and visitors.
 
Ownership of the site, off Lower Cookham Road, will allow the council to reopen a missing link in the Millennium Walk route and ensure future generations and wildlife can continue to enjoy the area as an unspoilt outdoor space, with breath-taking views of Cliveden House and the surrounding countryside

Within the land are fields which had previously been used for farming, Willow Woods and White Brook. Much of the land is prone to flooding and acts as an ideal habitat for wintering wildfowl and waders.
 
Cllr Samantha Rayner, cabinet member for culture and communities, said: “I am delighted we have been able to secure the long-term future of this land between Maidenhead and Cookham which will ensure this green divide remains open space for residents and visitors to enjoy.
 
“It’s important we retain the natural spaces in our borough as we recognise the benefit beautiful countryside and open space has on the health and well-being of our residents. This land also gives us an ideal opportunity to further protect this area as a habitat for wildlife while preserving a natural undeveloped boundary between the two settlements.
 
“We have a range of options for how we can help people to enjoy this green space including reconnecting the Millennium Walk.”
 
The purchase of the land cost around £1 million and will be known as Battlemead Common.
 

The Millennium Walk project created a seven mile trail off the Thames Path linking Boulters Lock to Hurley on a cross-country route through some of the green spaces that surround Maidenhead. Diversions had to be introduced in 2013 when fallen trees and concerns over the safety of other trees meant walkers could no longer pass across the area.

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Thames Valley, Anthony Stansfeld, has launched a survey seeking the public view on an increase in the police element of the council tax by £2 a month*

On Thursday 13 December the Home Secretary announced the provisional police funding settlement for 2019/20. In response to the exceptional operational demands on the police, particularly in areas such as Thames Valley, the Government is increasing the funding available to PCCs by up to £813 million. However, this is provided all PCCs increase the police portion of the council tax by £2 a month or £24 a year (equivalent for a Band D property), which, collectively, will raise £509 million of the £813 million increase in funding.

Anthony Stansfeld said: “The Thames Valley Police budget has been cut by £101 million over the last eight years which has resulted in significant cuts to police officer and staff numbers. This year the Government has encouraged all PCCs to raise the policing element of the council tax precept for all households. To prevent further damaging cuts to policing and restore some important frontline policing capability I would like to make use of this Government advice and raise the council tax precept accordingly.

“Demand on police forces nationally has risen significantly in the last year as a result of an increase in non-crime business, higher crime numbers, the increasing complexity of crime, and the increasing reach of criminals both physically and via technology. Throughout this Thames Valley Police has been efficient and effective but having already faced significant cuts since 2010/11 the process of identifying new cash savings is becoming ever more challenging. However, we are committed to making policing even more efficient and have already identified over £4m of new savings in 2019/20.

“My focus for the future continues to be on delivering strong neighbourhood policing for all of the communities across the Thames Valley whilst addressing the serious threats and hardship posed by criminals. With this in mind the extra cash generated from the proposed increase in council tax will be spent on operational policing. The draft budget for 2019/20 includes additional funding to increase local frontline policing, recruit more investigators and improve contact management with the aim to reduce call waiting times on 101 calls.”

The survey and more information, including the proposed amounts from each council tax band can be found by visiting:
https://www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/consultations/council-tax-precept-consultation-2019/

Closing Date: Wednesday 9 January at 5pm

*this is the equivalent for a Band D property.
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Message Sent By
Mel Reedman (Police, Communications Officer, Thames Valley)

There is a link on the front page of cookham.com.

Hi Birdman, there is always the Archimedes Screw!

The ''Cookham Face Book Page'' has recently had discussions about the ear marking of 'Cookham' fields for housing.

 'Save Bournend' campaign have  jumped on the back of the 'Cookham Page'  to highlight their blight, also a Cllr for Cox Green highlighting their issue of Green Belt being allocated for housing.... seems all fields are up for grabs... ?

Wonder if there has been some Farmers Convention held ?

Shame there is no way to tie this Cookham Discussion Board to the 'Cookham Face Book Page' to have a much wider audience ?

If a laptop with personnel details (as opposed to personAL details) is stolen you need to report it to the ICO within 72 hours under GDPR.

However, for Archimedes there is some good news because you need not get lost without a sat nav.

Steve Backshall can teach you to read a map. See https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/blog/2015/08/new-map-reading-videos-with-steve-backshall/