Councillors in Reading will discuss a recommendation to ask the Secretary of State for a formal review of the existing boundary between the town and West Berkshire.
Whilst Reading – like the rest of Berkshire – has not been approached by Government to submit local government reorganisation plans at this time, it is proposals from neighbouring Oxfordshire which have prompted us engage in the discussion at an earlier stage than we might have originally anticipated.
Two out of the three interim reorganisation proposals submitted by Oxfordshire councils favour the creation of a new ‘Ridgeway’ council which incorporates our near neighbours in West Berkshire. If you live in Reading, or indeed the more urban parts of West Berkshire close to the Reading border, you will know the boundary lines can be a little blurred. As I wrote here a few months ago, it’s not uncommon for Reading Councillors to be lobbied on any given subject by residents from West Berkshire whose assumption is that they live in the town.
It’s understandable. We know that many West Berkshire residents living in the largely urban areas which sit on or near its eastern boundary have a long-established and strong connection to our town. Many regularly commute into Reading, whether for work, for education, for transport connections, to shop, to enjoy a meal or a drink, or to use other facilities.
In announcing its plans for local government reorganisation, Government guidance was that proposals should focus on what they called ‘sensible economic areas’. In that respect, it’s hard to argue against the fact that those more urban areas on the edge of town have much more in common with Reading than they would with a new, largely rural ‘Ridgeway’ council. I’d also understand if those residents were more than a bit bemused at being asked to travel up to 20 miles to visit the new ‘Ridgeway’ council offices, wherever they will be, when Reading is just a short bus ride away.
Our initial proposal is 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’ and moving the existing West Berkshire wards of Calcot, Tilehurst, Theale, Pangbourne and Purley-on-Thames into an expanded Reading borough, which would link these urban areas to our town. This initial proposal would be the basis of further detailed work by Council officers before the final proposed geography of an expanded Reading borough is decided on and submitted to the Secretary of State in November.
The Government’s priority at this time is to request reorganisation proposals from two-tier areas, such as Oxfordshire. I suspect that process will take some time to conclude. It has also indicated however that smaller unitary councils, like Reading for example, may be required to reorganise in future years. What is very clear is 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. That is why we are moving now, in order to protect the town’s future interests.
It’s important that the natural boundaries of Reading – rather than those which were drawn up over a century ago when Reading was of course a very different place – are taken into consideration. When the time comes, we intend on making a powerful case that only an expanded Reading can properly reflect the reality of the town’s economic geography.
Cllr Liz Terry is the leader of Reading Borough Council
