A proposal to create Greater Reading that would absorb suburban villages under the council’s authority has been debated.
The possibility of a Greater Reading has been floated in response to the reorganisation of local government in Oxfordshire.
South Oxfordshire, the Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire councils are proposing to unite to form Ridgeway Council.
This has led Reading Borough’s Labour administration to call for a boundary review that would bring Tilehurst Parish, Calcot, Theale, Purley and Pangbourne into the council.
However, concern has been raised as these areas all have parish councils, which run community facilities, allotments and park maintenance.
This issue was addressed at a Reading council meeting.
Simon Pike, a resident, asked: “Given the view that the absence of parish councils in the whole borough, because Reading is a geographically compact area and a single settlement where residents make use of the infrastructure in different parts of the borough, what would the council say to the eight parish councils in the five wards to be annexed by Reading Borough?”
Councillor Micky Leng (Labour, Whitley), deputy leader, said: “If policy committee agrees the recommendations, the main message to areas concerned is that we want to engage with you and hear your views and questions.
“The proposal within the report has been brought to committee as a direct result of West Berkshire Council agreeing to be part of Oxfordshire’s Local Government Reorganisation proposals and the creation of the new Ridgeway authority, which would impact the largely urban area of Greater Reading.
“If West Berkshire is to be part of the Local Government Reorganisation, then the boundary should be reviewed to reflect the sensible economic geography of the area.
“The voice of all of our communities, including those with parish councils, is vital and will be part of the work planned between now and the end of November.”
Mr Pike then asked what would happen for services people pay parish councils for.
Jackie Yates, chief executive, said the provisions in council tax law ensure that residents do not pay twice for those services.
Jeff Brooks (Liberal Democrats, Thatcham West), the leader of West Berkshire Council, has called the Greater Reading proposal ‘a land grab’.
Responding, cllr Adele Barnet-Ward (Labour, Thames) called the comment”quite extraordinary.”
She said: “Reading isn’t trying to do anything, Reading is a unitary authority, we’re not affected by local government reform. West Berkshire is also a unitary authority, and is not required to do anything under the current reform.
“I think it’s quite extraordinary that West Berkshire has added themselves into a reorganisation that they haven’t been asked to do.
“I just find that bizarre.”
Agreeing, cllr Raj Singh (Conservative, Kentwood) said: “I think the Lib Dem leader of West Berkshire has jumped the gun.
“I understand there was no pre-consultation with Reading beforehand.
“The best way forward is to reach out, take a collaborative approach, rather than trying to be an island, it doesn’t work that way.”
Cllr Anne Thompson (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) said: “We all want what’s best for Reading and wider Reading to make it work.
“People in Pangbourne are alarmed.”
She then questioned what would happen if an area strongly objected to becoming part of Reading Borough.
Any decision on a boundary review would be made by Angela Rayner, the secretary of state for local government.
Final reorganisation proposals must be submitted to the department for local government in November.
The policy committee unanimously agreed to develop a boundary review proposal in a request to Mrs Rayner at the meeting on Tuesday, July 21.
