Reading has been snubbed by Theale in the land grab attempt to bring it, and four other villages in West Berkshire, under its wing.
Theale residents voted overwhelmingly for the village to remain within West Berkshire in the parish poll held on Thursday, November 6.
But Reading Council is having none of it, saying that over the past few months it has carried out its own extensive consultation, including a representative survey and face to face events with residents.
Reading Council says engagement confirms that many residents in Calcot, Tilehurst, Purley-on-Thames, Pangbourne and Theale recognise the geographic and economic connection to Reading, particularly younger residents.
The council will submit its final proposal by November 28, in parallel with Oxfordshire’s final proposals for local government reorganisation.
In Theale’s parish poll, around 95 per cent of voters voted ‘yes’ on the question ‘Do you wish for Theale to remain within the West Berkshire Council boundary?’.
The turnout was 25 per cent.
Theale Parish Council will now share the result with Reading West and Mid Berkshire MP Olivia Bailey – who also happens to have her constituency office there.
Alan Macro (Lib Dem, Theale) welcomed the result.
He said: “This was a categorical rejection by Theale of Reading Borough Council’s bid to extend their boundary to include Theale.
“I am calling on Reading Borough Council to accept the democratically expressed will of Theale residents and drop their takeover bid for Theale.”
The two district councils are jockeying for position and power as part of a wider shake-up of local government.
It all started back in the spring when West Berkshire Council announced – out of the blue – that it was looking to join forces with the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire councils to create a new bigger, combined authority called Ridgeway.
Reading leader Liz Terry said the council only started to think about expanding its western borders after West Berkshire made its move in March.
“The council notes the decision of this poll, which is non-binding,” she said. “Ultimately, the final decisions around reorganisation will be made by Government when all submissions are received.
“Reading believes a review of its boundary with West Berkshire is required to accurately reflect the reality of its geography and economic catchment area in any reorganisation, which it is important to note West Berkshire was not required to pursue.
“The current borough boundary was drawn 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 economy extends beyond existing boundary lines.
“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.
“The council believes that moving parts of this greater Reading area into a much larger new ‘Ridgeway council’, which is clearly focused on uniting historical market towns, is at direct odds with the Government’s criteria for proposals to be based on ‘sensible economic areas’.”
