Calcot, Tilehurst, Theale, Pangbourne and Purley-on-Thames wards could move into an expanded Reading borough

Reading Borough Council has begun land grab moves to co-opt part of West Berkshire.

The council is to request a change to the boundary between Reading and West Berkshire in response to reorganisation proposals to create a new ‘Ridgeway Council’ with parts of Oxfordhsire.

Reading Borough Council says many West Berkshire residents have a strong connection to Reading and regularly commute into the town for work, leisure, education or to use other facilities.

With two out of the three interim local government reorganisation proposals submitted by Oxfordshire councils favouring the creation of a new Ridgeway Council, which incorporates West Berkshire, Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire, Reading Borough Council believes a review of its boundary with West Berkshire is required to accurately reflect the reality of Reading’s geography and its economic catchment area.

The current borough boundary was drawn in 1911, over a century ago.

Reading has since grown to become one of the largest towns outside of London.

The council believes that moving parts of this greater Reading urban area into a larger, mainly rural new Ridgeway Council is at odds with the Government’s criteria for local government reorganisation.

The Government has stated proposals should be based on ‘sensible economic areas’ and being part of a larger predominantly rural Ridgeway Council, could be to the detriment of those communities.

Reading Borough Council is proposing to submit a recommendation to the secretary of state Angela Rayner requesting she undertakes a review of the boundary between Reading and West Berkshire, modifying the proposal for the new Ridgeway Council.

An initial outline proposal is for Calcot, Tilehurst, Theale, Pangbourne and Purley-on-Thames wards to move into an expanded Reading borough, linking these existing urban areas to the town.

This is a proposal which will enable council officers to carry out detailed data analysis over the next few months, ahead of a decision on the final proposed geography of an expanded Reading borough being submitted to the secretary of state for consideration.

The final recommendation, which would be considered for approval in November, will be submitted in parallel with Oxfordshire’s final proposals for local government reorganisation, which must be submitted by November 28.

With a working assumption from Government that new councils created through reorganisation should seek a population of 350,000 or more, this proposed modification would not compromise Oxfordshire’s proposals for a new Ridgeway Council.

The combined population of the five wards is 32,000, meaning the remaining populations for the two Ridgeway proposals would be 387,000 and 431,000.

Reading Borough Council leader Liz Terry said: “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.

“It isn’t clear where the new Ridgeway Council will be based, but I doubt people will want to travel into Oxfordshire to a location potentially 20-plus miles away, when Reading town centre is no more than six miles away with an excellent bus service.

“The Government’s clear guidance is that reorganisation plans should focus on sensible economic areas, and it is important proposals do not ignore the natural boundaries and connections of the town. It therefore makes more sense to link these urban areas to Reading, which we would argue is a better match.

“None of the Berkshire authorities, including West Berkshire, have been asked by Government to submit reorganisation plans at this time, but it is very clear that the proposals for a new Ridgeway Council would have a material impact on any proposals Reading may be required to submit in the future.

“Our belief is that Oxfordshire’s final reorganisation proposals for the creation of a new Ridgeway Council should be considered by the secretary of state in conjunction with a review of existing boundaries between Reading and West Berkshire, because one markedly affects the other.

“The Government responded to Oxfordshire’s three interim reorganisation proposals in June by stressing the importance of proposals meeting the criteria for reorganisation, and the need to consider the implications of any proposal on the wider area.

“In response, we will be making the case that only an expanded Reading can properly reflect its economic geography.”

Consultation on Reading Borough Council’s initial proposals will be opened its policy committee has made its decision on July 21.

This will be available on the council’s website at https://reading.govocal.com/en-GB/

The priority for Government has been to request reorganisation proposals from two-tier areas, including Oxfordshire.

The Government has indicated however, that smaller unitary councils may be required to reorganise in future years.

Once final reorganisation proposals have been submitted by Oxfordshire in November, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will consult on the proposals.

It is understood Reading Borough Council will be a consultee of the Oxfordshire proposals.

As local government reorganisation plans progress in Oxfordshire, Reading Borough Council will continue to focus on working with neighbouring areas to develop options for a Mayoral Strategic Authority which will deliver the benefits for local residents and businesses which the Government set out in the English Devolution White Paper.