Why the Carnival Pool splash pool matters…

I am writing about the council’s recent plans to redevelop the Carnival pool without including a children’s splash pool.

It was mentioned that the revenue stream is impacted by whether or not people use the pool (i.e. if the number of people who use the pool falls, revenue will fall too).

Whilst this logic seems obvious, I think it ignores some major points:

The splash pool complements the teaching pool excellently. Parents who have babies and children can take them to the pool together. But with no splash pool for babies to frolic in many parents will instead choose alternative activities where their babies and children can play together.

The main income stream of the centre comes from members rather than day passes.

Therefore the key point is if the lack of a splash pool impact members valuation of their membership.

Additionally, revenue stream should only be looked at as a factor in light of whether a facility is self sufficient.

I’ve seen no evidence to suggest that this is the case and that the only criteria considered is profit maximisation.

The problem with a moveable floor

I attended the meeting for the executive on November 30 to ask the executive member for Environment, Norman Jorgensen, how the council and their proposed provider for the new leisure centre planned on managing the moveable floor when there are several age groups there at one time.

His response was “each operator up for consideration are market leaders in managing local authority sports and leisure facilities” and have experience in managing timetables.

While that could be true, the fact remains that a moveable floor in a teaching pool means that different swimming abilities and recreation needs of children cannot be catered for.

The current facility is brilliant and means that children can not only develop confidence but have fun and lark about, as children do.

Another question along the same topic was asked of Mr Jorgensen: “Why weren’t the council listening to the

700+ residents who signed a petition to keep our children’s beach pool in the new carnival leisure centre?”

Ultimately it was said that it didn’t make enough profit, he mentioned a survey was conducted which was done the week leading up to the meeting , he said the facility wasn’t being utilised during the week and that it was busiest on the weekend with only 100+ swimmers using the facility.

It seems a conclusion to their data is that people don’t utilise the facility as there isn’t a need or desire to do so.

This conclusion is fundamentally incorrect as it hasn’t taken into account several factors, one is the time of year –it’s very cold and the pool is known for being on the chilly side, there is lots of sickness about e.g. a local school in Lower Earley was closed for two days

that same week for a deep clean due to outbreak of Norovirus, but more to the point even if Mr Jorgensen’s assertion is correct and that in its current state demand for the splash pool is low, it’s faulty logic to assume that it means that people don’t want to use such a facility.

One only has to look at the droves of people attending Coral Reef to see just how popular a swim centre that is inclusive of children can be.

As such, the more logical conclusion to the “low” usage of the splash pool, is that it’s not grand or equipped enough for people e.g. cold temperature of the pool complex as well as low light.

If the council embraced its younger population and created a splash pool that was the talk of the town, I’m sure that they’d not only have a happy community but would reap the financial rewards too. Alexandra Fraser, Wokingham

Councillors allowances: the truth

Last week’s newspaper had a good deal of misinformation by Opposition councillors about the allowances report by the Independent Remuneration Panel.

Despite being asked to apologise, Labour’s Cllr Croy has still not said sorry for claiming that Conservative councillors asked to increase car parking allowances, when he has no evidence to back this up.

He has stated that Conservative councillors have decided to forgo the extra £100 for car parking “for a few months”, when in reality the

commitment was not to take the money until April 2019.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Bray, in her motion on councillors’ allowances from outside organisations, forgot to say why in the past she didn’t seem to mind getting multiple payments of more than £7,000 for being Leader of the Opposition and more than £1,300 for being a member of the Fire Authority.

Similarly, Independent Cllr Cowan vented a lot of bile about payments to “the chosen few” – while conveniently failing to mention that he gets paid more than £6,000 to chair one of the Council’s housing companies.

It is sad that we have yet another year of councillors playing politics over allowances, rather than presenting to residents worked-out, realistic alternatives on the big issues. Meanwhile, the Conservatives will continue to pursue ambitious and sensible proposals to maintain our Borough’s status as a great place to live, work and do business.

I would also like to reiterate my thanks to the members of the IRP for the care and consideration put into this year’s report. I look forward to their recommendations for next year when they conduct their next review. Cllr David Chopping Conservative Member for Maiden Erlegh Ward

Brexit demo coverage

Can I say how pleased I was to see that a local pro-EU demonstration was covered by The Wokingham Paper (Page 12, November 30, focusing on the demo at the Sand Martins Golf Club at the Conservative Party meeting).

I do feel that the local paper has a responsibility to reflect its community responsibilities by highlighting pro-EU activities given that most Wokingham residents voted Remain.

This is especially important given how unpatriotic the MP for Wokingham has been in his comments on Brexit and how he refuses to represent his constituents views by voting against the government on Brexit issues. Belinda, via emai

School funding

I refer to Pam Jenkinson’s letter of November and thank her for wishing our fair funding campaign success.

This is is a campaign supported by many Wokingham residents. She would perhaps like to bring her comments to our next public meeting on 6th February.

From the start, we have listened to local parents,children and teachers and we recognise the impact of the funding crisis. Reduced contracts, staff resignations, increased class sizes, reduced curriculum and a lack of resources, put immense pressure on our schools. This in turn impacts on the education of our children.

As Kevin Courtney (NEU) recently said: “The funding cuts are undermining schools ability to provide a well rounded education with a broad and balanced curriculum and sufficient support for all pupils.”

The Wokingham Borough school

children who have spoken to us express their distress at losing their teachers and subjects.

We cannot afford to lose the skills and expertise of our dedicated staff. Nor are there currently enough teachers training in England. In fact, teacher training targets have been missed for the fifth year in a row now. This will obviously be of concern to any parent of pre-school age children too.

Naturally, it is quite right that we invest more in the education of our children. Investment in education pays the best interest. Annabel Yoxall, Wokingham

Speaking the truth

At long last, Peter Humphreys, in an article in our Wokingham Paper, spoke the truth – what most people are saying: the Elm Fields plans are doomed.

One can see this by lack of interest in business plans for this and seeing several shops being closed. Yes, there’s a general disinterest in the whole plan.

Abandon the idea Cllrs Munro and deputy Cllr Mirfin: £80 million can be put to better use. Your plans are not going to work.

Leave our natural green spaces alone and our beautiful, hundreds of years old trees including oaks – part of the old Windosr Forest.

Let the people of Wokingham continue to use Elms Field for their picnics and walks with their dogs – believe me Elms Field is used every day by residents to enjoy its natural area, so come on Wokingham residents, let’s get together and fight this council to keep Elms Field as green and natural field with trees.

This council think they are right to destroy the above. They are not right – they are wrong.

Our town is being spoilt and turned into Bracknell The Second.

Again I say abandon your plan for Elms Field or shame on you for not listening to the Wokingham people and not respecting them and also for not respecting the will of the Elm Sisters who left Elms Field to the Wokingham people to enjoy it as it is in its natural state.

So admit that you are wrong and leave Elms Fields alone once and for all. H Boyed, Wokingham

Who has the best festive windows?

We asked on our Facebook page who has Wokingham’s best festive windows. Here’s what you said: n Antique Rose - love their winter wonderland window display every year. Geeta Negroni n The window in David Cliff is lovely along with their trolls Anita Keogh n David Cliff win hands down Rhiannon Paul O’Leary n David Cliff as always embracing Christmas the proper way Luke Smith n Confetti bride shop . Sarah A Smith

Community coverage alive and well

I was listening to the Sunday Politics on BBC South this Sunday morning, when it was mentioned by Peter Henley, political correspondent for the South, that local newspapers no longer engage with the community, and are unable to warn against local roadworks and local events

It was also stated that local adverts are no longer carried, and spoke as if the local newspaper was a dying breed.

I would love to put him straight and inform him that The Wokingham Paper is alive and kicking and could not be more engaged in the local community, and sent him a complimentary copy just to prove him wrong! Francine Twitchett, Wokingham

Remembering Stuart

Stuart John Coles Died on 23rd May 2017.

Wokingham has always been a special place to us.

Stuart and I first moved to Carey Road in 1971, when it was a little unmade Road. It was inhabited by the most welcoming people a young couple could hope to share their lives with. The long established families opened their arms to us.

First Adam, then our daughter Tobie came along and we lived there very happily for 10 years.

With the children growing up, we moved to the edge of town to “Wokingham Without” ( later called Finchampstead). It felt like we were in the countryside living in Kiln Ride, where we stayed for 36 years, until Stuart’s health failed.

Stuart’s final wish was that we thank all those people who contributed to his full and very happy life, living in Wokingham/Finchampstead.

Never forgetting our lovely Stu XxX From the Coles family Cora… Adam and Tobie

Your festive stamps can help Kidney Care UK

I wanted to appeal to you to hold on to your used stamps this Christmas and donate them to Kidney Care UK to help us raise funds for kidney patients.

Every Christmas more than

1 billion cards are sent in the UK and for every 1kg of used stamps donated we can raise as much as £20 to help people with chronic kidney disease.

There are 64,000 people being treated for kidney failure in the UK right now and 69 people are currently waiting for a transplant in Berkshire.

Your support will help us to provide practical, financial and emotional support for kidney patients and their families; we believe no-one should face kidney disease alone, and especially not at Christmas.

You can read and download our step by step guide to collecting and donating used stamps at www. kidneycareuk.org

Finally, we hope all of your readers have a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic New Year, Paddy Tabor MVO Chief Executive, Kidney Care UK 01420 541424