On hearing the news that 4th Battalion the Rifles are being stood down from flood relief work in West Berkshire, Richard Benyon, wrote the following letter to their Commanding Officer, Lt Col Tom Bewick.

This morning Richard presented students at Winchcombe School with the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award. Over the past 18 months, staff and students have used various events to raise awareness of UNICEF and the Rights of the Child.

West Berkshire flooding update Friday 14th FebruaryWest Berkshire Council announced last night that households in the district who have had to vacate their flooded homes will be awarded council tax relief beyond the usual 28 days.  The council's financial reserves will be allocated to allow for this.

Over the past week, Richard Benyon has been highlighting the issue of ivory poaching. Last Thursday Richard jointly hosted a debate on International Wildlife Crime in the House of Commons, whilst this week, Richard joined the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) as the charity crushed hundreds of unwanted items of ivory and tonight he is to attend the London Conference on illegal Wildlife Trade.

In their Extraordinary General Meeting held on 10th February, Thatcham Town Council decided to cancel the 2% rise in Council Tax precept that they had approved two weeks earlier. At that meeting, Liberal Democrat members voted unanimously for the precept rise while Conservative members all voted against any rise in the precept.

This morning, Richard Benyon opened Newbury's new multi-million pound flood alleviation scheme that will protect more than 450 properties and critical infrastructure.

Richard Benyon has welcomed today's announcement that West Rail Access to Heathrow will connect the airport to the Great Wetern Mainline.

West Berkshire Conservatives are expressing concern at deceitful tactics being deployed by Labour activists who are attempting to alarm Pangbourne residents by falsely suggesting that there is a plan to close Pangbourne library.

West Berkshire Conservative are expressing concern at deceitful tactics being deployed by Labour activists who are attempting to alarm Pangbourne residents by falsely suggesting that there is a plan to close Pangbourne Library.

This afternoon, Richard Benyon hosted a Westminster Hall debate on the Government's plan to replace current Section 106 regulations with a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Richard raised concerns with Communities and Local Government Minister, Brandon Lewis, following discussions with West Berkshre Councillors and officials.