I hope 2023 will be a happy and successful year for all readers of Wokingham Today.
The festive season is a time when we relax with family and friends and recharge our batteries.
But I hope you will spare a thought for those who are alone or facing a bleak time because they can’t pay for heating and food.
We are in the middle of a tough winter for many members of our community; the cost-of-living crisis is hitting even people who have never had to ask for help before.
With many residents struggling to make ends meet, the local economy is inevitably affected; fewer sales mean lower profits, and inflation hits our local shops and businesses as hard as it hits us.
The council’s capacity to help is also limited; double-digit inflation, rising demand for services, falls in anticipated income and now interest-rate rises all limit the ability of the council to provide the level of support that we would all like to be able to give.
But the start of a new year is a time to take stock and remember the positives as well as the negatives.
In relation to the cost-of-living crisis, the biggest positive here in Wokingham Borough is the number of local charities, voluntary bodies and individuals who have committed time and effort to help those who are in need.
We are fortunate to live in an area where so many people are community-minded and willing to support those who are struggling.
As the councillor responsible for fostering partnerships, I have been privileged to work with many such inspiring people over the last few months.
I have also been fortunate to have the support of so many excellent and committed council officers and fellow councillors who are passionate about mobilising community resources to tackle the local impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
I want to take this opportunity to thank them all for their hard work and dedication.
I hope we can all, in our own ways, emulate their willingness to put others first. Every act of kindness, every offer of help, however small, can make a real difference.
Partnership is based on a simple principle – we can achieve more by working together than we can on our own. Let’s try to make partnership an important part of the way we approach the challenges of the new year.
Cllr Stephen Conway is the deputy leader of Wokingham Borough Council and Lib Dem councillor for Twyford
