West Berkshire Council is leading a charm offensive – to tell people in the east of the district why it is better to stay with them than to join up with Reading.
Reading Council has launched an overt land grab campaign as part of the local government rejig.
Reading Borough Council suggests that the eastern parishes of West Berkshire, such as Calcot, Tilehurst, Theale, Purley and Pangbourne, should form part of a Greater Reading authority.
It’s all part of the move by West Berkshire Council to potentially form a new Ridgeway Council with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse.
But the leader of West Berkshire Council, Jeff Brooks, has gone on the offensive.
“We strongly refute this unhelpful and unsolicited attempted land grab from Reading Borough Council,” he said.
“Our eastern communities have long been part of West Berkshire.
Councillors are meeting with town and parish councils in the east of the district to discuss the ‘Greater Reading’ proposal from Reading Borough Council.
The aim is to listen to both the residents and the councillors’ views and discuss any concerns they may have.
Justin Pemberton, one of the councillors taking part in the charm offensive with Mr Brooks said: “It is really important that we take this time to go out to these areas in the east of the district and listen to the residents and hear their opinions on this.
“These towns and villages are vital parts of West Berkshire whose voices and opinions continue to have the utmost importance when it comes to their day to day lives.
“We continue to support the residents in these towns and villages through developments and outreach across this area of the district.”
If West Berkshire becomes part of a new Ridgeway Council, Reading wants to expand its boundaries to include Calcot, Tilehurst, Theale, Pangbourne, and Purley-on-Thames.
Reading Borough Council describes these areas as “the urban areas close to Reading’s boundary” and claims these areas rely on Reading for services.
“We consider that these areas are best served by West Berkshire Council and many residents we’ve spoken to over the summer agree with us,” added Mr Pemberton.
“Reading Borough Council currently has a survey open to gather views on the proposal.”
They will be attending the following town and parish meetings:
Pangbourne – 7.30pm on September 9
Theale – 7.30pm on September 15
Purley – 7.30pm on September 29
Tidmarsh with Sulham – 7.30pm on October 2
The council is currently coordinating dates with Tilehurst and Holybrook, and said it will share confirmed details as soon as they become available.
