William Eichler 15 July 2025

Reading BC accused of reorganisation ‘land grab’

Reading BC accused of reorganisation ‘land grab’ image
Reading Borough Council © BasPhoto / Shutterstock.com.

A proposal by Reading Borough Council to bring five West Berkshire wards under its jurisdiction as part of local government reorganisation has been branded a ‘land grab.’

Two out of three reorganisation proposals for Oxfordshire include West Berkshire Council merging with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse councils to form a new ‘Ridgeway Council’.

Reading BC argued these proposals would see parts of the greater Reading urban area moved into a larger, mainly rural local authority area, which it says is ‘at odds’ with the Government’s reorganisation criteria.

It has called for a review of the boundary between Reading and West Berkshire and proposed the inclusion of Calcot, Tilehurst, Theale, Pangbourne and Purley-on-Thames wards into an expanded Reading borough.

Cllr Liz Terry, Reading Borough Council leader, said: ‘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.’

Leader of West Berkshire Council, Cllr Jeff Brooks, condemned the proposal as an ‘unsolicited attempted land grab.’

He added that the wards cited by Reading BC ‘have never, and should never, fall under the jurisdiction of Reading Borough.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Partnership Co-ordinator - Voluntary & Community

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£43,545 - £52,767
Partnership Co-ordinator - Voluntary & ... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Planning Support Officer

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Up to £34359 per annum
Keep our planning service running smoothly, supporting the team that shapes the future of our borough.As a Planning Support Officer, you'll play a vit England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Change Communications Lead

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
£42,839-£48,226
Having come out of government intervention after two years in 2024 Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Finance Officer - Debt Collection

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Finance Officer - Debt CollectionPermanent, Full Time£25,081 to £27,653 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner