Last year, the independent financial advisory website money.co.uk assessed every local authority in the country for value for money. Their assessment was determined by reference to fire service response times, recycling levels, road condition, crime rates and the percentage of good or outstanding schools and care homes to determine the quality of the return. All things which underpin the quality of any local authority area. Out of over 300 local authorities in England, Conservative-run West Berkshire Council came eighth. That is a huge achievement.
Running any local authority over the last four years has been a monumental challenge. During the pandemic the Council played the leading role in coordinating local efforts, overseeing the work of 89 community groups and over 3,000 volunteers. The synapses of their support extended through towns and villages so that anyone who was isolated or unable to undertake daily tasks had access to support through the Council. Following receipt of a further £500,000 from the Government, the Council gave direct cash grants to low-income households to provide anything from washing machines to holiday food vouchers for their children.
Almost immediately after this, West Berkshire Council rose to the challenge of welcoming over 500 Ukrainian guests through their local hub – setting up Ukrainian families with resources, school places, English language support and accommodation. It’s a testament to the Council’s efficiency that, with almost no warning, it was able to create a unique system to accommodate so many arrivals under the Government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
During this time, they have continued to consolidate local successes. Today 94% of schools in West Berkshire are rated good or outstanding and 98% of children get into the school of their choice. In the three years I have been an MP, two new primary schools have opened their doors – Highwood Copse in Newbury and the revamped Theale Church of England Primary – bringing additional primary school places and first-rate educational facilities to West Berkshire.
The Council has also continued its ambitious programme of decarbonisation. 2,500 trees were planted in partnership with the Greenham Trust in 2022 alone. Planning permission has been given for a significant new solar farm at Grazeley and a network of new cycle lanes have been constructed in Thatcham along the A4 and between Newbury and Stockcross, creating new opportunities to get people out of their cars.
I have also worked with West Berkshire Council on critical infrastructure projects – from securing £2.6 million from the Government to secure new and improved bus services to successfully lobbying the Environment Agency for the £6.3 million announced last week to complete flood defence systems in Lambourn, Thatcham and Newbury.
Local government is complex work and much of it goes unrecognised. But delivering high-quality local services, efficiently and economically, lies at the heart of any local Council’s success. It is no surprise that West Berkshire ranks high amongst local authorities in England and for that reason, I urge you to vote Conservative at the local elections on 4th May.