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Niki Hinman Local Democracy Reporter

Niki writes about politics and the impact of political decisions on people’s lives. She began her career in Westminster and after 20 years of making documentaries has come full circle back to political journalism.

Council redacts names from planning application letters

11 July 2025
Council redacts names from planning application letters

Council redacts names from planning application letters

11 July 2025

West Berkshire Council has decided to keep secret the names of people who object to planning applications.


The area in West Berkshire where people have the lowest life-expectancy revealed

11 July 2025
The area in West Berkshire where people have the lowest life-expectancy revealed

The area in West Berkshire where people have the lowest life-expectancy revealed

11 July 2025

Men and women living in Thatcham North East have the lowest life expectancy in West Berkshire.


Green grant win for Northcroft

10 July 2025
Green grant win for Northcroft

Green grant win for Northcroft

10 July 2025

West Berkshire Council has been given a £2.8m grant to help deliver a major green upgrade at Northcroft Leisure Centre in Newbury.


More EV charge points for Newbury

10 July 2025
More EV charge points for Newbury

More EV charge points for Newbury

10 July 2025

West Berkshire Council has launched new ‘Evolt Charging’ points at key locations throughout the district.


Early signs that Newbury pedestrian scheme is working

07 July 2025
Early signs that Newbury pedestrian scheme is working

Early signs that Newbury pedestrian scheme is working

07 July 2025

West Berkshire Council has doubled down on extending pedestrianisation hours in Newbury, saying there are ‘positive signs’.


Great British Bake Off wedding venue plans blocked by council’s tree team

06 July 2025
Great British Bake Off wedding venue plans blocked by council’s tree team

Great British Bake Off wedding venue plans blocked by council’s tree team

06 July 2025

West Berkshire Council has slapped a tree preservation order across a whole woodland.


West Berkshire Council finds software error to blame for overpaying housing benefits

05 July 2025
West Berkshire Council finds software error to blame for overpaying housing benefits

West Berkshire Council finds software error to blame for overpaying housing benefits

05 July 2025

More than £650k of housing benefit has been mistakenly paid out by West Berkshire Council.


Peace Garden and Tudor gardens set for Sunday opening

03 July 2025
Peace Garden and Tudor gardens set for Sunday opening

Peace Garden and Tudor gardens set for Sunday opening

03 July 2025

It's opening. Well part of it is. The Newbury Peace Gardens gets the ribbon cut this Sunday.


World-class innovation hub for part of Vodafone HQ site

02 July 2025
World-class innovation hub for part of Vodafone HQ site

World-class innovation hub for part of Vodafone HQ site

02 July 2025

Part of the site of Vodafone’s Newbury HQ is about to be turned into a new science park – backed by Saudi investors.


MP on the right track for commuters

02 July 2025
MP on the right track for commuters

MP on the right track for commuters

02 July 2025

Commuters in Thatcham will be raising their travel mugs to Newbury MP Lee Dillon next week.


Fears that £37m projected debt will bankrupt council unless Government intervenes

01 July 2025
Fears that £37m projected debt will bankrupt council unless Government intervenes

Fears that £37m projected debt will bankrupt council unless Government intervenes

01 July 2025

West Berkshire Council is staring down a financial abyss – with a huge £37m debt projection in special needs schools provision


Councillors and staff likely to face cuts with new Ridgeway Council

26 June 2025
Councillors and staff likely to face cuts with new Ridgeway Council

Councillors and staff likely to face cuts with new Ridgeway Council

26 June 2025

Councils are getting twitchy about the impending local government review and the impact on staffing.


Newbury Peace Garden awaits canal fixings

26 June 2025
Newbury Peace Garden awaits canal fixings

Newbury Peace Garden awaits canal fixings

26 June 2025

Newbury town centre’s so-called Peace Garden is still not open… despite nearly £800k of public money being spent on it.

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Seven rare bird species spotted in Pang survey

23 June 2025
Seven rare bird species spotted in Pang survey

Seven rare bird species spotted in Pang survey

23 June 2025

A 2km stretch of the River Pang is about to be rewilded.


Where should Aldi put a new store?

19 June 2025
Where should Aldi put a new store?

Where should Aldi put a new store?

19 June 2025

Aldi is on the lookout for a new store location in Berkshire as part of its rapid UK expansion plans.


Lockkeepers call off threatened strike

19 June 2025
Lockkeepers call off threatened strike

Lockkeepers call off threatened strike

19 June 2025

River Thames weir and lockkeepers including at Goring and Streatley have called off strike action over safety concerns.


Ridgeway Council roadshows

18 June 2025
Ridgeway Council roadshows

Ridgeway Council roadshows

18 June 2025

West Berkshire residents are being invited to a series of events this week to explain proposals for a new, larger council.


Nino’s and the cheese shop get Pangbourne on the map in the Commons

18 June 2025
Nino’s and the cheese shop get Pangbourne on the map in the Commons

Nino’s and the cheese shop get Pangbourne on the map in the Commons

18 June 2025

Two Pangbourne food outlets got an unexpected plug in the House of Commons last week.


Green bin charge change causes upset

16 June 2025
Green bin charge change causes upset

Green bin charge change causes upset

16 June 2025

West Berkshire Council has defended criticism of its new green bin charges.


Tories rebrand in Newbury to avoid boundary confusion

15 June 2025
Tories rebrand in Newbury to avoid boundary confusion

Tories rebrand in Newbury to avoid boundary confusion

15 June 2025

West Berkshire Conservative Association has had a rebrand.


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