In this week's column, councillor Paul Bettison OBE, the leader of Bracknell Forest Council, encourages residents to start the New Year off the right way by signposting wellness, work and benefit information sessions, and covers Lexicon fundraising efforts, the impact on the local NHS and a public consultation for this year's council budget. Cllr Bettison writes:

As we settle back into our regular routines this week, many of you may be setting personal goals or intentions for the year. If you are focusing on your own wellbeing this year, why not start with one of the many free activities being offered as part of the five ways to winter wellness programme? These free sessions take place at different locations across the borough, as part of the community winter hubs offer. Activities range from tai chi, wellness walks, healthy eating workshops and mental health and wellbeing sessions. View the full timetable on our website at: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/winter-hubs.

Additionally, the council is working with the Department for Work and Pensions to offer an information and guidance drop-in session on the range of local financial support available. There will be several local organisations on hand for you to talk to, covering topics including benefits, energy efficiency or community support options and more. The event is free to attend, and no booking is needed. Just pop into the Time Square community winter hub on Thursday, 19 January, between 4pm and 8pm.

Partnership working and community continues to be central to our borough, especially in these challenging times. Over the festive season, over 66,000 people slid down the Will Wildwood slide in The Lexicon. As I result, I wish to thank our residents, visitors, and The Lexicon for helping raise nearly £7,000 in donations for Bracknell Foodbank. This is evidence of the continuing generosity of our community in Bracknell Forest.

As you may know, there is significant ongoing pressure on local National Health Services and a critical incident was declared across the Frimley Health and Care Integrated Care System recently.

Unfortunately, this does mean local organisations may need to reschedule some non-urgent operations to accommodate those patients with the most urgent clinical need. Residents are asked to be aware of the changes and continue to seek help through the correct channels. You can find out more information about what this means for you on the Frimley Health and Care website.

As a final note and reminder, the full public consultation for the proposed 2023/24 revenue and capital budget is underway and will run until Tuesday, January 24. We’d love residents to have their say on these draft proposals, so I’d encourage you to get involved and take part in the consultation. You can visit the consultation pages on our website to put your views forward.

The final budget, including the proposed level of council tax for 2023/24, will be determined by full council on 22 February, following the council’s normal consultation period.

The year is certainly off to a busy start, so I wish you well and hope you all have an enjoyable week ahead.