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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.

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.


Village launches fundraiser for legal battle with council over showpeople site

14 June 2025
Village launches fundraiser for legal battle with council over showpeople site

Village launches fundraiser for legal battle with council over showpeople site

14 June 2025

Enborne village is driving a fundraiser to get more cash to take West Berkshire Council to court.

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Application lays out efforts to save old oak tree

13 June 2025
Application lays out efforts to save old oak tree

Application lays out efforts to save old oak tree

13 June 2025

With all the upset over the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree, it’s understandable that anyone wanting to get rid of a tree states the case.


Kennet Shopping centre plans are ‘formulaic, filing cabinet architecture’ inquiry hears

12 June 2025
Kennet Shopping centre plans are ‘formulaic, filing cabinet architecture’ inquiry hears

Kennet Shopping centre plans are ‘formulaic, filing cabinet architecture’ inquiry hears

12 June 2025

The inquiry into West Berkshire’s rejection of the multi-storey Eagle Quarter redevelopment in Newbury town centre has now all but closed.


Theale to increase in size by a third under Local Plan

12 June 2025
Theale to increase in size by a third under Local Plan

Theale to increase in size by a third under Local Plan

12 June 2025

Councillors voted through the revised Local Plan in a free vote on Tuesday night, meaning some of the ruling Lib Dem team rejected it.


Council 'caught between rock and a hard place' over Local Plan

11 June 2025
Council 'caught between rock and a hard place' over Local Plan

Council 'caught between rock and a hard place' over Local Plan

11 June 2025

The West Berkshire Local Plan has now been approved.


Will it or won’t it harm the character of Newbury? Kennet Centre appeal goes into a second week

11 June 2025
Will it or won’t it harm the character of Newbury? Kennet Centre appeal goes into a second week

Will it or won’t it harm the character of Newbury? Kennet Centre appeal goes into a second week

11 June 2025

The Kennet Shopping centre appeal concludes this week, with a ruling from the government planning inspector due in August.

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Theale builder jailed for not finishing jobs and providing false certificates

11 June 2025
Theale builder jailed for not finishing jobs and providing false certificates

Theale builder jailed for not finishing jobs and providing false certificates

11 June 2025

A Theale builder has been jailed for a year for supplying false electrical and building control certificates.


West Berkshire health figures show high numbers of overweight people

10 June 2025
West Berkshire health figures show high numbers of overweight people

West Berkshire health figures show high numbers of overweight people

10 June 2025

West Berkshire has a higher rate of cardio vascular and respiratory disease, and cancer than the national average.


Risks and costs of local plan spelled out to West Berkshire Council

09 June 2025
Risks and costs of local plan spelled out to West Berkshire Council

Risks and costs of local plan spelled out to West Berkshire Council

09 June 2025

West Berkshire Council meets this week to discuss adopting the revised Local Plan.


More children starting school in West Berkshire need help with toilet training, says council

09 June 2025
More children starting school in West Berkshire need help with toilet training, says council

More children starting school in West Berkshire need help with toilet training, says council

09 June 2025

Government inspectors have been told that a growing number of children in West Berkshire are starting school with underdeveloped social skills.


20 year demolition programme at AWE to make way for new buildings

07 June 2025
20 year demolition programme at AWE to make way for new buildings

20 year demolition programme at AWE to make way for new buildings

07 June 2025

The AWE site in Aldermaston is to undergo a major demolition programme ahead of the creation of a replacement facility known as the HUB.


Road condition survey on effect of 270 homes south of Newbury

06 June 2025
Road condition survey on effect of 270 homes south of Newbury

Road condition survey on effect of 270 homes south of Newbury

06 June 2025

West Berkshire Council is being asked for its views on the road condition survey of a planned 270 home development south of Newbury.

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Public consultation launched for new council areas

05 June 2025
Public consultation launched for new council areas

Public consultation launched for new council areas

05 June 2025

A consultation has been launched to gauge views on a new council area for West Berkshire.


‘Newbury still ‘feels’ like a small market town’ – Day one of Kennet Shopping centre planning appeal

03 June 2025
‘Newbury still ‘feels’ like a small market town’ – Day one of Kennet Shopping centre planning appeal

‘Newbury still ‘feels’ like a small market town’ – Day one of Kennet Shopping centre planning appeal

03 June 2025

The appeal into West Berkshire Council’s rejection of the multi-storey redevelopment of the Kennet Shopping centre in Newbury has begun.


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