West Berkshire Council response to Reading Borough's Greater Reading proposal

Responding to Reading Borough Council's Policy Committee report, which suggests that the eastern parishes of West Berkshire, such as Calcot, Tilehurst, Theale, and Pangbourne, should form part of a Greater Reading authority, the Leader of West Berkshire Council, Cllr Jeff Brooks, said

"We strongly refute this unhelpful and unsolicited attempted land grab from Reading Borough Council. Our eastern communities have long been part of West Berkshire. Our links date back to 1894, when we came together under Bradfield Rural District Council. They have never, and should never, fall under the jurisdiction of Reading Borough.

"Reading's report attempts to blur shopping habits with Council effectiveness. Trips to Reading for shopping or leisure are a matter of geography, not governance. We've been undertaking a significant amount of engagement activity as part of the development of the Ridgeway proposal, and this has made clear that the majority of our residents see these communities not as extensions of Reading, but as thriving parts of West Berkshire.

"I am confident that West Berkshire delivers stronger services at lower cost, and that our performance and the investment we are making into these communities, ensure that they are best served by us.

"Examples of this include the award-winning social, emotional and mental health facility at Kennet Valley Primary in Calcot, the new Badgers Hill iCollege, and the recently-opened new pitches at Cotswold Leisure Centre.

"It's not just us saying this, however; recent comparative data speaks for itself. For example, 92% of our secondary schools are rated good or outstanding compared with 80% in Reading - with more of our primary schools scoring better too. Just 3% of our roads should be considered for maintenance - Reading's is more than double that - while Children's Services are Good in West Berkshire but Require Improvement in Reading. We have more sports facilities per 100,000 residents, we collect glass recycling at the kerbside...the list goes on. When you add to this lower council tax bills residents should be in no doubt as to which local authority offers them the better deal.

"Our proposal to form Ridgeway Council, spanning West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse, responds directly to the Government's vision for larger, more effective unitary authorities. It promises better resilience, joined-up service delivery, and cost savings without dismantling our current civic structures or impacting on local identity. The proposal includes the whole of West Berkshire, and we have no intention to change this position.

'"We remain clear that our eastern parishes are, have long been, and will remain, integral to West Berkshire. We reject any suggestion that joining Greater Reading would benefit these communities. In contrast, West Berkshire offers better value for money, higher quality local services, and ambitious plans for the future of our district.

"This move by Reading Borough also begs the question if this is the limit of their ambition, or if they will begin to look at Wokingham's boundary too.

"Here in West Berkshire we will continue to prioritise the interests and identity of every community in our area."