A referendum on the possibility of Theale joining a Greater Reading council has been announced.
The village has been given the option of joining Reading Borough Council or remaining under West Berkshire Council’s jurisdiction.
The vote will be held as local government is undergoing reform, which will see Oxfordshire County Council abolished.
Theale would either remain with West Berkshire Council, which is set to merge with South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse to form Ridgeway Council, or join with Reading Borough Council.
Councillor Alan Macro, who represents Theale on West Berkshire Council, has welcomed the decision to hold a Parish Poll on the question: “do you wish for Theale to remain within the West Berkshire Council boundary?”
The decision to hold the poll was taken by a well-attended parish meeting on October 8.
Cllr Macro (Liberal Democrats, Theale) said: “I welcome the poll as it will be an opportunity for Theale residents to democratically give their views on Reading council’s bid to extend their boundary to include Theale.
“It will be conducted by West Berkshire Council’s Electoral Services, so no one will be able to claim that it was biased.”
The poll will be held between 4pm and 9pm on Thursday, November 6.
People who normally vote at the John Cumber Hall, off the High Street, should vote there.
Voters who normally vote at the village hall should vote at the Peter Gooch Room in the adjacent Pavilion.
Only people registered to vote in Theale will be able to take part.
