Kicking out the "Cuckoos"

Lib Dem-led Wokingham Borough Council, alongside the police, have worked to evict criminals who take advantage of vulnerable people on the Norreys estate by invading their homes and using them for crime. The practice, known as cuckooing, is often used as part of the "County Lines" drug trade. Matteo Fumagalli says "I'm glad to see the police  arresting these people and the Council issuing closure orders to stop them returning. “This horrible crime doesn't belong here in Norreys, and I'm pleased to see the victims have been moved to safety."

Stop the sewage

Local Campaigner Paul Sayers has been to inspect the state of our rivers after a local school was forced to close due to a sewage-contaminated flood in January. Paul says, “As a former teacher, I know that school closures are disruptive to pupils, parents and staff alike. “For Emmbrook School to be forced to close for this disgusting reason is unacceptable.  Children across Norreys have had their education disrupted. “I'm happy to see the local Lib Dem team, including Clive Jones, our Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for  Wokingham, holding Thames Water accountable for fouling our rivers - with that sewage even ending up in our schools!” You can join the campaign by signing the Lib Dem petition at wokinghamlibdems.org.uk/campaigns/stop-the-sewage

Wokingham Winter Carnival

Wokingham Town was again full of people for the annual Winter Carnival. Norreys Town Councillor Matteo Fumagalli says, “I am delighted that Wokingham Town Council keeps  supporting events that bring people to the town and provide vital opportunities for local businesses and charities.”

St Crispins Leisure Centre

Many residents in Norreys use the facilities at St Crispins Leisure Centre. Wokingham Liberal Democrat Councillors are delighted that St Crispin’s Leisure Centre will remain available to community groups including the squash league. Norreys Town Councillor Matteo Fumagalli says, “The centre will be transferred to the school allowing it to provide much needed secondary school places over the next 5 years. Places Leisure will incorporate other sports classes and activities at their other sites, including BXG FIT in Peach Place. “This is great news.”

Listening to you and taking action

Campaigner Matteo Fumagalli says, “It’s important to hear from you about what matters to you. That’s why we consult with you about possible changes. WE LISTENED TO YOU about the need for safer walking and cycling and have published our plan for improvements. WE LISTENED TO YOU about public litter bins and we’ve made sure this vital service is protected.

WE LISTENED TO YOU and invested in keeping multiple bus routes running when they were under threat. WE LISTENED TO YOU about the future of activities at St Crispins Leisure Centre and have made sure they can all continue. WE LISTENED TO YOU about how you want to deal with the council and we have made changes. “We will keep  consulting with you and listening to you to improve our community.”

Local problems with property companies

Councillor Matteo Fumagalli says, “I am concerned about escalating management costs levied by management companies, especially on new housing. I am pleased that Clive Jones has taken up this fight at national level. “I also intend to write to Clive about a fair deal for renters, and especially the problem of no-fault evictions. “If any residents in Norreys wish to bring their problems with management charges or no-fault evictions to my attention please contact me on 07514 010922.” See more information in our article overleaf.

Town Council to tackle violence

Norreys Town Councillor Matteo Fumagalli says, “As an Ambassador for the White Ribbon campaign at Wokingham Town Council, I am very pleased to see the approval of the first ever strategy to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls across Wokingham Borough. “The comprehensive strategy is focused on prevention, support, and accountability, in line with the White Ribbon pledge ‘to never use, excuse or remain silent about violence against women’.”

Innovative projects to fight poverty

The Lib Dems earmarked £250,000 from this year’s budget to help those living on the lowest incomes fight the cost of living crisis. “We are launching a number of projects to help Wokingham residents in the long term,” says Councillor Matteo Fumagalli. “These include projects to help people access nutritious food, and to ensure that all children have essential uniform and school equipment to give them the best start in life.”

Protecting old age care

“I’m delighted that Wokingham Borough Council has bought the Berkshire Care Home on Barkham Road,” says Councillor Matteo Fumagalli. “The number of people living with dementia is set to double in the next 20 years. “The council needs to own and operate our own old age care homes to keep down the cost of helping these residents, and the purchase of this care home will help us to do this.” 

Spotlight on science

This year, for the fourth year in succession, Matteo Fumagalli from the Town Council Arts & Culture Committee is leading on the Science in Schools event. The event showcases  the variety of options for students in STEM subjects after they finish secondary education. Matteo says, “Students from Norreys in Year 10 who attend St Crispins and The Holt are  able to participate in Science in Schools. Last year, the talks by the invited scientists were on driverless car technology and AI. “This year the talks will be on food security. It’s great that the Town Council supports these initiatives to link students with scientists at the forefront of their subjects, and I’m proud to lead on this event.”