Council lays out budget, including 4.99% tax increase

By Jake Clothier jclothier@rdg.today

READING Borough Council has announced its latest budget proposals in the midst of “inflationary pressure.” have impacted members of the trans, non-binary and gender nonconforming communities.

“We stand in solidarity with all those affected, and renew our commitment to working for a society where everybody is respected for who they are, and where nobody is targeted by this kind of violence.”

Lizzy Rimmington from Wokingham Pride said: “The death of this young woman has deeply shocked many of us, and especially members of the trans community. If you have trans friends, colleagues or relatives, please look out for them– our thoughts are with Brianna’s family and friends.”

LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall tweeted: “We urge anyone who may have information which will help the police with their enquiries to come forward.”

The candlelight vigil will be held in Forbury Gardens from 7pm

The council has said that it is “protecting frontline services and delivering on major investments” as it sets out its plans to absorb rising costs, where many councils are considering cuts to public services.

Budget plans include an extra £4.4 million to fund the care of the elderly and vulnerable residents in Reading, many of whom rely on essential services.

An overall increase in Council Tax of 4.99% is proposed as a combination of a flat tax increase of 2.99% and an extra 2% for adult social care.

Those living in Band A-C properties make up 70% of council taxpayers, with only 15% of households in Band D.

The council notes that when comparing average council tax per dwelling, Reading’s households paid the third lowest amount in Berkshire in 2022-23.

BUDGET: The council has said that is is “protecting frontline services and delivering on major investments” Picture: Reading Borough Council

With the impact of the cost of living crisis hitting lowincome families the most, the budget aims to maintain the subsidy for the Council Tax Support Scheme.

This year it is set to add a £75 hardship for those who are eligible.

In the budget, the council looks set to bring a brand new leisure centre to Rivermead, the first new train station in the town in 117, and the muchneeded updating of Reading West Station.

All three are due to open in 2023, forming part of the council’s medium term financial strategy, which will see them through to 2026.

It also includes a number of major civil projects including a council house-building programme, the continued regeneration of the roads, new cycle lanes and routes, and improvements to public transport.

It is seeking additional investment in new playgrounds and carbon-cutting initiatives.

The budget is up for consideration at a Policy Committee meeting set for Monday, ahead of a full council debate on Tuesday, February 28.

Council leader Cllr Jason Brock said: “Years of prudent financial planning means we remain in a strong position to deliver major improvements for residents and to protect the frontline in the face of major challenges.

“Not least inflation – running at its highest rate for decades – and this Government’s continued failure to properly address and resource local councils for essential social care services.”

“You don’t need to look far from home to see councils having to consider painful cuts to local services, while a handful are on their knees and have agreed to 10%, or even 15%, Council Tax increases.

“In contrast,” he explained, “2023 promises to be a landmark year for Reading with major infrastructure projects coming to fruition.

“We are now looking forward, and our three-year plan shows a continued trend of investment in Reading and its residents.”

Cllr Brock cited “a flagship Central Library” and the modernisation of the Hexagon Theatre among the council’s upcoming investment projects, as well as 400 new Council homes built by 2026.

There are also plans for “Custom-built adult social care facilities at Battle Street, and another £8 million on new road surfaces, new cycle lanes.

“£4.4 million on energy saving measures in buildings alongside renewable energy provision, building on our proud record of having the fourth largest carbon footprint cut in the UK.”

He continued: “Just as important are the investments in our communities, whether that’s a continuation of the refresh of playgrounds ... or a major retrofitting of council homes to make them more energy efficient and cheaper to heat.”

“I believe our new budget reflects our ethos of working for a Reading that realises its full potential while ensuring everyone who lives and works in our amazing town can share in the benefits of its success.”

Reading has third highest average salary

SPOT THE BUS: Reading Buses will be raising funds for The Royal Berks Charity during the year and has also unveiled a bus with brand new livery to celebrate the occasion Picture: Courtesy of Reading Buses

Royal Berks is bus firm’s new charity

having raised more than £6,000 to last year’s charity, Reading Buses has announced its charity of the year for 2023.

It will be raising funds for The Royal Berks Charity and has also unveiled a bus with brand new livery to celebrate the occasion.

A silver bus will carry the Royal Berks Charity designs on both sides and on the back and will serve a broad range of routes around Reading.

Robert Williams, Reading Buses’ chief executive officer, said: “This is a very local charity which helps out a great institution that many of our customers and employees use.

“The Royal Berks Charity was voted for by our workforce, and came out comfortably on top.”

He continued: “We are looking forward to this new year and we are setting ourselves the challenge to raise over £10,000

“The main fundraiser, our family Open Day, has just been confirmed as being on Sunday June 25.

“We hope that all our employees and customers get behind the charity and make this a hugely successful year.”

Jo Warrior, Royal Berks Charity’s director, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as Reading Buses Charity of the Year 2023, and are really excited to work with such an iconic part of Reading life, especially during the 75th year of the NHS.

“The partnership is a fantastic opportunity for us to raise awareness of the Royal Berks Charity and the work we do to support the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and the services it provides across Berkshire and South Oxfordshire.

“We pride ourselves on being able to enhance the care and experience of patients and n The full research conducted by utility bidder is available to view via: utilitybidder.co.uk

RESEARCH conducted by Utility Bidder has shown the top 10 towns and cities in the UK for annual salary pay.

The survey has revealed the places offering highest and lowest salaries, and used this as part of a larger survey into the best places to work in the country.

The median value of annual salaries in each place was ranked, with Reading taking the third highest median salary.

It came just behind London, in second place with just under £34,000, and Guildford which took first place with just over £38,000.

Reading’s median annual pay gross was £30,925, just £350 above Oxford, which came fourth.

Reading was also named the 24th best place in the UK to working in, which combined the median salary with average working hours and cost of living.

Nottingham was named the worst city in the UK to work in, as it had the lowest annual salary at £22,243, and Edinburgh the best.