Travellers camp at Long Barn Lane in 2018
At the Katesgrove Community Association (KCA) meeting on 10 July, Katesgrove councillor Sophia James was asked what Reading Borough Council (RBC) could do to prevent travellers from re-occupying public sites. Travellers have cycled their encampments between Rabson’s Rec, Long Barn Lane and Waterloo Meadows several times over the last few years.
The consultation on how to spend the neighbourhood portion (15%) of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) paid by developers or landowners on new developments in Reading ended on 14 September. The results of that exercise have been published in papers going to Reading Borough Council (RBC) policy committee on 26 November and councillors will be asked to approve recommendations on how to spend the money.
Reading Borough Council‘s antisocial behaviour (ASB) team will in court today, 22 August, seeking possession of Long Barn Lane recreation ground after about 20 caravans and attendant vehicles occupied the park in recent days.
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is paid by developers or landowners on new developments and at least 15% of the money collected must be spent on local projects. Reading Borough Council (RBC) have agreed a way in which this money can be allocated that complies with government regulations and are now consulting with residents on which projects to prioritise.
This week, Reading Borough Council (RBC) will discuss spending £786,700 over the next two years on improving recreation areas across the town, including Cintra Park, Longbarn Recreation Area and Rabson’s Rec in south Reading.
Here at the international HQ of the Whitley Pump on top of Katesgrove Hill, we decided to celebrate our first birthday by ‘beating the bounds‘ of Katesgrove ward. This is a walk of over 4 miles around the perimeter of the ward, or as near to the perimeter as can be obtained without swimming or getting run over.
Have your say on the future of public parks. A national survey has been launched as part of an inquiry by the Communities and Local Government Committee to examine the impact of reduced local authority budgets on parks and consider concerns that their existence is under threat.
