£16m emergency cash given to West Berkshire Council by central government to shore up budget shortfalls

West Berkshire Council has been given the £16m emergency funding it asked for from government.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has now confirmed that the request has been granted.

The Exceptional Financial Support will be allocated to bolster the council’s year end 2024/25 general reserve fund and to support the 2025/26 budget.

Welcoming the announcement, council leader Jeff Brooks (Lib Dem, Thatcham West) said: “This is welcome news and we are pleased that our EFS request has been heard and acted upon.

“The council has a strong history of prudent financial management whilst delivering significant savings, and protecting our frontline services.

“We wouldn’t have asked for EFS if we felt we had any other choice but to do so.

“We’re one of 30 councils to have done so.

“We will continue to spend your money wisely in what is an extremely challenging financial environment.

“We will also, as we have done here, continue to stand up for residents in advocating for the district and ensuring the Government understand the scale of the financial pressures facing local government.”

The expectation is for West Berkshire Council to continue its transformation programme.

Commenting on the minister’s letter, Iain Cottingham (Lib Dem, Thatcham Central), executive member for finance and resources, said: “EFS will strengthen our financial resilience, replenishing our general reserve fund after a period post Covid-19 sustained decline.

“We welcome the expectation that as an organisation we need to continue our programme of innovation, transforming our agility on how we serve all the residents of West Berkshire.”

West Berkshire Council is set to agree its budget for the year ahead when it meets on Thursday (February 27).