Clash over ‘austerity’ as Reading Borough Council budget for...

Reading Borough Council’s budget has been the subject of a heated dispute among council members over “austerity”

and finance.

Prior to the start of the fiscal year in April, the budget must be decided at a full council meeting every year.

Council members argued about alleged “austerity measures” in the first budget that was financed by the Labour

government.

Council leader Liz Terry (Labour, Coley) listed the significant budget initiatives, which include more than £5 million

more for adult social care and child care, and £884,000 for homelessness prevention. The council tax has increased

by a maximum of 4.99 percent.

Opposition leader Rob White (Green, Park), however, said that £76,000 in funding to address rough sleeping would

be slashed, accusing Labour of overseeing an austerity budget.

“Green councillors want a cleaner, greener, and more equitable Reading,” he stated. We require a council that will

speak out against these cuts and defend the rights of the people. This budget is pay more, get less. The rate of carbon

reduction is beginning to plateau.

Cllr. Raj Singh, a Conservative from Kentwood, pointed out that Labour will be raising the rents for social housing by

2.7%.

He stated: “The proposed 4.99 percent increase in council tax for 2025–2026 and the increase in social rent are

strongly opposed by conservatives.”

“The citizens of Reading would be unnecessarily burdened by this tax increase, particularly since other options have

not yet been thoroughly investigated.”

Then, Cllr Singh made the case that in order to bridge a predicted funding gap of £15.6 million in 2027–2028,

efficiencies are needed.

Council members also disagreed on transport and environmental issues, notably the allocation of £5 million for the

plan to increase bus service.

Lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, John Ennis (Labour, Southcote), charged that Councillor White

did not make an attempt to participate in talks aimed at improving mobility and the environment, such as the

council’s Cycle Forum.

“John, you’re talking nonsense! I was at the Cycle Forum,” he retorted.

Meanwhile, cllr Meri O’Connell (Lib Democrats, Tilehurst) argued the council needs more funding from central

government which has not materialised this year.

She said: “I’ve sat here year after year listening to Labour say that the problem was because central government

under the Tories had ‘starved’ local government of funding, and we’ve agreed with you.

Since you have had 14 years to come up with a settlement plan, there is no one else to blame. However, I honestly

thought you would have entered government with a strategy to address that.

Officers are unable to remove any more flesh off the bone. The central government must provide the funding.

At the meeting on Tuesday, February 25, the budget, which included spending, council tax, and the rise in social

rent, was ultimately accepted.

The Conservatives, Greens, and Liberal Democrats abstained from voting, but all Labour council members and

Independent, Battle councillor Sarah Hacker voted in favour.

Clash over ‘austerity’ as Reading Borough Council budget for 2025/26 is approved