Delivering in Langley - a new community hub

Labour councillors have been progressing plans for a new community and health hub in Langley. The new facility will be located on the site of the old Merrymakers pub on Trelawney Avenue and part of the site will also see new apartments delivered, providing much needed new housing for the area.

Work will begin on the community hub at the Merrymakers site this year

The Hub will be a mixed used facility and is something we have fought hard to deliver despite funding reductions. It will ensure residents in the area also have access to a local health facility and we are delighted to have reached an agreement with Slough Clinical Commissioning Group that will see the Orchard Surgery relocate to the Hub.

“We have got the outcome we fought for, a mixed use community facility”

— Cllr James Swindlehurst

Following consultation in 2014, local residents supported the development of a health-led hub and we continue to work with residents to ensure that their needs are met - but we are delighted to be bringing this much needed facility to Langley and look forward to announced detailed plans this Spring.

Investing in our communities

Slough Labour has always had a proud record of investing in all of Slough's communities - this year we have made major progress on our flagship facilities like The Curve and Arbour Park, but this should not leave our other community work unnoticed.

In our 2012 and 2014 local election manifestos we promised to provide more Multi Use Games Arenas (MUGAs) for teens to play sports. We have now opened 8 of these facilities across Slough including our latest MUGA and Skate Park at Monksfield Recreation Ground.

Alongside this we have improved and invested in our parks ensuring Salt Hill,  Herschel Park and Pippins Park all have prestigious Green Flag status and we will continue to invest in our parks over the year ahead.

In the Spring we will bring forward detailed plans for a new community centre at Trelawney Avenue in Langley on the site of the old Merrymakers pub, which fulfils the promise we made to Slough at 2015 local elections.

Cllr Swindlehurst with volunteers and our parks team celebrating our Green Flag award for 2015/16

This year also saw the start of construction of our new Community Sports Stadium at Stoke Road which includes new sports facilities and playing fields for local schools and will see the return of Slough Town to Slough.

Breaking ground for the new community pitches and sports stadium at Arbour Park

Building the Homes we need

Slough Labour is committed to increasing housing of all tenures in Slough. Just over two years ago we built the first council homes Slough had seen in a generation and we have followed that up by building 264 new council homes in the last 2 years, well exceeding our manifesto pledge of 200.

New family houses and a new school being built at Castleview

Housing continues to be a major issue in Slough. Slough Labour has already delivered a local lettings policy ensuring Slough people get priority for social housing and have reduced the town's housing waiting list.

In the past year we have seen new homes built in Upton and in Britwell & Northborough and we have just started the construction of new family homes at Ledgers Road in Chalvey.

New homes at Wentworth Avenue

Councillor James Swindlehurst said: "Slough is an area of high housing need and we have been working to supply more housing across all tenures to tackle this. To build over 260 new council homes is a great example of the difference a Labour council can make to the lives of people living in Slough."

Delivering 150 new trees

In our 2015 manifesto Slough Labour promised to plant 150 new trees across the town. As planting season commenced in December, Councillors Parmar and Pantelic planted the first ten of these trees in Cippenham. The start of this environmental project see a mixture of young oak, pear and cherry trees planted on Cippenham Green

“We pledged to plant 150 new trees this year as part of our ongoing commitment to making Slough cleaner and greener”

— Cllr Parmar

160 other trees – a mixture of horse chestnut, alder, oak, cherry and lime - will now be planted at various other locations around the borough, including Salt Hill Park. Most are places where residents have specifically asked for new trees

Cllr Parmar and Pantelic had the honour of planting the first of our 150 new trees

Councillor Satpal Parmar said: “We pledged to plant 150 new trees this year as part of our ongoing commitment to making Slough cleaner and greener.

“We’re doing what we promised and I look forward to seeing the trees in full flourish by the summer.

“They’re going to make such a big difference to people, making our neighbourhoods nicer places to live for current residents as well as future generations.”

Transforming the centre of Slough

The Labour leadership of Slough Council has started work on a major project to transform the centre of Slough into a vibrant place where people can live, learn, enjoy great nights out in fantastic restaurants and shop till they drop in high quality retailers.

Having already delivered a new award winning bus station, and with The Curve just around the corner (no pun intended), the Council's planning committee approved what has the potential to be a game changing moment for the town with a major upgrade to the town's shopping centre.

“Central Slough is changing quite fast at the moment. The way we’re handling the housing need is for a higher density of development in the centre to protect the suburbs. ”

— Cllr James Swindlehurst

The Queensmere centre will be transformed, providing 600+ new apartments and delivering the high quality retail space the town needs, but most importantly matching this with the footfall to support it.

Labour councillors ensured the height of the towers nearest Mackenzie Square have now been reduced so that they are less visible from the high street. The façade of the shopping centre entrance has also been improved with a large electronic display screen to publicise local events.

This game changing development will result in economic, environmental and social improvements to Slough town centre and the wider area.

“The design we have fought for also opens three new routes into the High Street and allows people to walk directly from the train station into the High Street, which should make it easier for shoppers”

— Cllr Sohail Munawar

We have been working hard behind the scenes with the developer to ensure their application delivers the improvements to the Town Centre we want in terms of driving more footfall to the high street and delivering a better shopping offer in Slough.

Cllr Sohail Munawar said:

"This development will increase the footprint of the Queensmere allowing us to attract bigger anchor stores and department stores, whole also bringing shop fronts and a retail offer to the A4 facing side of the centre. The design we have fought for also opens three new routes into the High Street and allows people to walk directly from the train station into the High Street, which should make it easier for shoppers."

The Curve - Opening Spring 2016

The town's new flagship Arts and Cultural centre, The Curve will now open in early April 2016, a slight delay, but one that ensures these facilities are delivered to the highest possible standard and bring real value to the people of Slough.

Once open it will be a game changer to the town centre, and will contribute to our plans to breath new life into the Heart of Slough and provide residents and visitors alike with a vibrant centre with great places to live, work, rest and play (to borrow a phrase from a local employer).

The Curve is unique and innovative with a dynamic design and it is very important to us it is delivered to residents with the quality we expect.

The Curve will become the central meeting point through its Cafe which will have a defined space along with an associated garden terrace which can be accessed directly from the counter. Café users will also be able to use any part of the building which, over three floors, includes more than 220 seats.

“I am incredibly excited by the new opportunities this building will afford to all residents - it will be home to a new performance space, holding up to 280 people, provide access to adult learning and house exhibition space for Slough museum”

— Cllr Martin Carter

It will house the town's main library, with brand new state of the art facilities which will eplace the old library across Windsor Road from The Curve, will be a new children's library with new and well-loved activities for kids and families, study areas, wi-fi, computer and internet access as well as thousands of books, audio books, CDs and DVDs.

Cllr Martin Carter said "I am incredibly excited by the new opportunities this building will afford to all residents in terms of leisure, culture and the arts.”

Bringing Slough Town back home - Arbour Park

Slough Labour has delivered on a long held promise to bring Slough Town back to Slough, it what will be a boost for the football and the town as a whole.

Artist impression the new ground

Slough Town will play their home fixtures from next season at Arbour Park our new £8.5 million Community Sports Facility.  It will hold almost 2,000 fans and be built over 2 phases with phase one already well under way, which will deliver a 3G pitch, covered stand for 250 spectators and a car park, which will be ready in the Autumn of 2016.

“I think it’s fantastic. We’re looking at the start of facilities for the next generation”

— Cllr Martin Carter

By offering this multi-purpose facility we will be able to provide new and innovative leisure pursuits, whilst also delivering on our promise of bringing Slough Town home. The facility will sit in an area of Slough with high inactivity levels and low levels of participation in sport and physical activity.

The project will also see us deliver much needed playing fields and sports facilities at St Josephs School.

Cllr Martin Carter said:

I think it’s fantastic. We’re looking at the start of facilities for the next generation. It’s exciting, the kids are excited, the school’s excited, the local authority are excited and the football club excited. As we see this progress it’s going to be extraordinary"

Supporting the Voluntary Sector

Slough Labour have ensured the voluntary sector in Slough has received a financial boost by agreeing a 3 year contract worth over £2.5 million with SPACE (Slough Prevention Alliance Community Engagement) to deliver vital services to our vulnerable residents to ensure they have services which benefit them across each aspect of their lives

SPACE will provide residents with advice and help in accessing information about local care and support services which will allow them to stay in their homes and communities for longer and reduce the need for formal care.

“Our aim is to support vulnerable adults by awarding contracts that have the maximum impact at ground level”

— Cllr Sabia Hussain (Commissioner for Health and Welbeing)

The Cabinet adopted a policy of providing an outcomes based approach to working with the voluntary sector so we can ensure that residents have access to support that boosts their wellbeing across the board with the aim of helping people stay healthier and independent for longer.

Councillor Sabia Hussain said:

“The new approach to voluntary sector funding has enabled us to fund organisations using a stringent evaluation process and we are delighted with the scope and quality of the proposed model of care created by the preferred bidder. We will now work with SPACE to ensure the changes are carefully managed.

“As is the case with any tendering exercise, there will be some organisations that are disappointed with the outcome but we are committed to funding services that link to the council’s key priorities and meet the needs of local people. Our aim is to support vulnerable adults by awarding contracts that have the maximum impact at ground level, and I am confident we have achieved this.

“We remain committed to all voluntary sector organisations in Slough, and are appreciative of the work they do.”

Baylis Park Pond

Cllrs Parmar, Nazir and Matloob with happy residents

Slough Labour committed over £1.5 million in our 2015 manifesto to make major improvements at Baylis, Kennedy and Goldophin Parks, and it is yet another promise that has been kept.

The latest piece of work completed is the major pond restoration in Baylis Park. The pond was drained and cleared of rubbish and new islands and banks created along with the planting of new tress – all with the intention of creating a haven for wildlife.

“These improvements will restore the historic nature of park”

— Cllr Fiza Matloob (Baylis and Stoke)

 Cllr Satpal Parmar, who turned on the tap to start filling the pond said:

“ We’re very lucky to have so many wonderful parks and open spaces in our otherwise built-up town and we must do everything we can to protect them for future generations. Baylis pond has gone from being a muddy, smelly eyesore into a beautiful clean lake that visitors and wildlife will be able to enjoy for many years to come, and I thank everyone involved for making it happen.”

Ward Councillor Fiza Matloob said:

“Its great to see so many residents turn up to see the pond refilled, they are clearly as excited as we are about keeping our promises to them. These improvements will restore the historic character of Baylis Park and make it even more welcoming for residents.”

Other works planned or completed at Baylis Park include: repairing and resurfacing the parks footpaths, improving the war memorial, cleaning up the lido, landscaping and improving the walled rose garden, new CCTV cameras and lights and an outdoor gym. These will be fully completed by the Spring of 2016 ready for residents to enjoy over the summer.

Winvale housing improvements

Five housing blocks in Winvale were given new pitched roofs, new energy efficient windows, new doors, external wall insulation, and better drainage systems last year as part of a major improvement project by Slough's Labour Council.  A total of 40 homes benefitted from the works; being fitted with new front doors, central heating boilers and TV-connection improvements, with communal areas also getting a major facelift - including repairs to stairways and balconies, upgraded smoke alarms and ventilation, and new low-energy lighting. 

External cladding also helped modernise the buildings, using colour schemes chosen by residents. The response from residents, who are mix of council tenants and leaseholders, has been overwhelmingly positive, and energy bills for the blocks are now substantially lower, reducing costs for tenants.