THE BERKSHIRE Prosperity Board is gearing up for its first ever meeting next week.
The new joint committee, formed of six unitary authorities in Berkshire, is aimed at delivering future economic success for the county.
Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils will join Bracknell Forest Council, West Berkshire Council, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Slough Councils in committing to collaboration on funding, creating jobs, and making housing more affordable.
It is intended to unify the voices of the councils, making the lobbying of government and private sector investors more effective and boost the attractiveness of Berkshire as an area for inward investment.
Now its first meeting is set to take place at the Wokingham Borough Council offices in Shute End from noon on Monday, June 17.
The meeting will explore the background to the creation of the Board, set out its work streams, and receive an update on the development of the Berkshire Economic Development Strategy.
Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, said: “The first meeting will provide an establishment on how we work together and provide a valuable opportunity for the Royal Borough and the wider county.
“Berkshire’s economic success is of shared interest across local authority boundaries, and it is vital that we take every opportunity to work closely with our neighbours.
“Together we have a stronger voice, and can better support our local economies for the benefit of our residents and businesses.”
Will Tuckley, Chief Executive of Slough Borough Council, said: “The first meeting represents an important step in our collective efforts to work collaboratively in expanding economic opportunities in our local area, and to drive growth.
“It will be an important platform for the authorities to tackle the challenges which we face, and to lobby for wider investment in the area.
“I am sure that the Berkshire Prosperity Board will provide economic benefits to our residents in Slough, and the wider Berkshire area, and enable us to capitalise on the strengths of the local Berkshire economy.”
Nigel Lynn, Chief Executive of West Berkshire Council, said: “This new cross-Berkshire group aligns very well with our priority to deliver a prosperous and resilient West Berkshire.
“We recognise that we will be stronger by working together collaboratively to attract investment, deliver infrastructure and tackle issues such as affordable housing and net zero which are important to all our communities.
“I look forward to this, as it will enable us to build on the legacy of the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.”
Susan Parsonage, Chief Executive of Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We have been working together for the last few months to prepare the way for the Berkshire Prosperity Board.
“We believe that the Board will give us a stronger voice than we have as individual Councils and will increase our chances of securing external funding for infrastructure projects and other initiatives that will help the development of the Berkshire economy.
“We see this is an important step that will help generate jobs, help address the climate emergency, and help deliver more much-needed affordable housing.”
Full details of the committee’s agenda are available to read via: democratic.bracknell-forest.gov.uk
