West Berkshire Council improved its government rating after speeding up its benefit payouts, recycling more waste, and processing planning applications faster.

All councils are rated one to four star, and Newbury’s all-purpose council had always been two star, but showed good potential, and has moved to three star.

Jobs galore

There are still more jobs than people to do them in Newbury, according to new government figures. With near full employment for the 52,000 workers in and around Newbury, there are another 15,000 unfilled jobs. Unemployment remained steady at 0.8% in West Berkshire, or 770 people.

Mayor’s mosaic

Newbury is a step nearer to having its new £16,000 mosaic illustrating aspects of the town past and present. The first of the 12 panels was pressed this week, and once completed, they will form a frame where everyone in the town can put in a piece of glass to create the finished picture.

Tracking for ambulances

Local hospital transport services are expected to improve after a new £300,000 tracking system was installed. The 40-strong fleet takes patients to and from hospitals, and is run by Royal Berkshire Ambulance Trust. The system allows vehicle tracking, and notice of cancelled pick-ups to reach drivers quicker.

Nightclub opening

Newbury’s newest nightspot opens its doors tonight. Sustenance owner Vince Ryan has fitted out the former Charlies nightclub into The Late Lounge, a trendy bar for the town’s thirtysomethings, as first revealed by newbury.net.

Doors open at 8.30pm through till 1.30am, with jazz and funk, and 170 capacity.