The controversial Vision for Newbury will be discussed at the Newbury Area Forum tomorrow night, amid growing concern over the town centre redesign. District councillors will be on hand to answer questions, on £1.2m plans to revamp the Market Place, a boat basin for the Wharf, and up to 200 flats to be built where the bus station and surrounding car parks now stand. The meeting starts at 6.30pm in the council chamber, Market Street.

Café snatch

A purse was stolen from a woman’s handbag while she was in Starbucks in Northbrook Street, Newbury, between 12.30pm and 12.45pm on Saturday.

Another car park to go

Sovereign Housing wants to build 15 flats on the former Newbury Hospital car park in Andover Road. Newbury Town Council will debate the matter Monday night.

New community centre

Improvements on the Nightingales continue. The Greenham Community Centre is to be refurbished with new doors and windows, along with a repaved area outside the building.

Six line up for Newbury

Tuesday lunchtime is the deadline for nominations to fight the Newbury seat in the General Election. Six candidates are expected on the final list, including two independents, and four affiliated to political parties. Votes for the May 5 poll will be counted at Newbury Racecourse, with the result expected around 1.30am on May 6.

Headcount static

Staffing levels have remained steady at West Berkshire Council. According to new figures, the council employed 1064 jobs at April 2005, up nine from December last year. The figures do not include schools staff.