PROPOSALS for a new initiative to boost prosperity across Berkshire are set to be green-lit by all six of the relevant councils.
Plans would see the establishment of a Berkshire Prosperity Board to secure funding, create jobs, and enable affordable housing across the county.
It would see the collaboration of all six regional authorities in the scheme: Bracknell Forest Council, Reading Borough Council, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, Wokingham Borough Council, Slough Borough Council, and West Berkshire Council.
Councils would draw up a shared vision of “inclusive and sustainable economic prosperity” and work with Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership to implement changes and deliver local economic priorities.
It would also give the authorities a strengthened position to court funding from the government and private investors, as well as more grounding for lobbying in the interests of the county.
Current government plans would see the end of funding for Local Economic Partnerships in April 2024, when the budget responsibility and funding will be transferred back to regional authorities.
They will also be responsible for growth and skills hubs alongside economic strategy and planning.
Council leaders have agreed with the Thames Valley LEP that the economic partnership will remain an independent organisation, and that relevant funding will be used to commission specialist organisations such as the LEP to deliver proposals.
The Berkshire Propserity Board will allow councils to access funds and commission proposals as a collective, and current plans set the first BPB meeting in May.
All six councils are now due to discuss the approval of proposals throughout February.
Councillor Jason Brock, leader of Reading Borough Council, says: “It has always been the case that it is in the best interests of all of residents that local authorities in Berkshire work collaboratively.
“Over the past year there has certainly been progress on that front and the new Board now offers all six Councils the opportunity to provide a stronger voice to Government when applying for funding and investment opportunities.
“Berkshire is not immune to the challenges of economic growth, but I sincerely hope that by working together we can provide a better Berkshire for our residents.”
Cllr Stephen Conway, Leader of Wokingham Borough Council said: ‘The Leaders of the six Berkshire unitary councils have made great progress since May in working together to prepare the way for the Berkshire Prosperity Board.
“Over the next few weeks, each of the Councils will be asked to endorse the establishment of the new Board.
“The Berkshire leaders 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.”
