Reading borough council requests western expansion

Reading Borough Council intends to make a formal request for a change to the boundary between Reading and West Berkshire.

With two out of the three interim local government reorganisation proposals submitted by Oxfordshire councils favouring the creation of a new ‘Ridgeway’ council which incorporates West Berkshire, Reading Borough Council believes a review of its boundary with West Berkshire is required to accurately reflect the reality of Reading’s geography and its economic catchment area.

The current borough boundary was drawn in 1911, over a century ago. Reading has since grown to become one of the largest towns outside of London, with one of the most dynamic economies, and whose influence and urban area extends beyond existing boundary lines. Many West Berkshire residents living in largely urban areas on or near its eastern boundary have a strong connection to Reading and regularly commute into the town for work, leisure, education or to use other facilities.

The Council believes that moving parts of this greater Reading urban area into a larger, mainly rural new ‘Ridgeway’ council is at odds with the Government’s criteria for local government reorganisation. The Government has stated proposals should be based on ‘sensible economic areas’ and being part of a larger predominantly rural ‘Ridgeway’ council could be to the detriment of those communities.

Reading Borough Council is proposing to submit a recommendation to the Secretary of State requesting they undertake a review of the boundary between Reading and West Berkshire, modifying the proposal for a new ‘Ridgeway’ council.

An initial outline proposal is for Calcot, Tilehurst, Theale, Pangbourne and Purley-on-Thames wards to move into an expanded Reading borough, linking these existing urban areas to the town. This is an initial proposal which will enable Council officers to carry out detailed data analysis over the next few months, ahead of a decision on the final proposed geography of an expanded Reading borough being submitted to the Secretary of State for consideration.

The final recommendation, which would be considered by Council for approval in November, will be submitted in parallel with Oxfordshire’s final proposals for local government reorganisation, which must be submitted by 28 November this year.

With a working assumption from Government that new councils created through reorganisation should seek a population of 350,000 or more, this proposed modification would not compromise Oxfordshire’s proposals for a new ‘Ridgeway’ council. The combined population of the five wards is 32,000, meaning the remaining populations for the two ‘Ridgeway’ proposals would be 387,000 and 431,000.

Sensible

Councillor Liz Terry, Reading Borough Council Leader, said:

“There is no doubt many residents on the western fringes of Reading look to the town, whether for work, transport connections, higher education, shopping or to use other facilities. In that respect, these are already suburbs of Reading and clearly fall within its economic catchment area.

“It isn’t clear where the new ‘Ridgeway’ council will be based, but I doubt people will want to travel into Oxfordshire to a location potentially 20 plus miles away, when Reading town centre is no more than six miles away with an excellent bus service.

“The Government’s clear guidance is that reorganisation plans should focus on sensible economic areas, and it is important proposals do not ignore the natural boundaries and connections of the town. It therefore makes more sense to link these urban areas to Reading, which we would argue is a better match.

“None of the Berkshire authorities, including West Berkshire, have been asked by Government to submit reorganisation plans at this time, but it is very clear that the proposals for a new ‘Ridgeway’ council would have a material impact on any proposals Reading may be required to submit in the future.

“Our belief is that Oxfordshire’s final reorganisation proposals for the creation of a new ‘Ridgeway’ council should be considered by the Secretary of State in conjunction with a review of existing boundaries between Reading and West Berkshire, because one markedly affects the other.

“The Government responded to Oxfordshire’s three interim reorganisation proposals in June by stressing the importance of proposals meeting the criteria for reorganisation, and the need to consider the implications of any proposal on the wider area. In response, we will be making the case that only an expanded Reading can properly reflect its economic geography.”

Consultation on Reading Borough Council’s initial proposals will be opened after Policy Committee has made its decision on 21 July. This will be available on the Council website at [https://reading.govocal.com/en-GB/](https://reading.govocal.com/en-GB/ |newtab)

Unhelpful

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."

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