West Berkshire Council Budget 2025/26 Consultation

West Berkshire Council has begun its consultation on its budget for 2025/26.

Changes to the provision of services include discontinuing the mobile library service, turning off streetlights in residential roads between midnight and 5am, reducing the number or winter gritting routes, and removing the Downland Sports Centre from the Leisure Management Contract are among the proposals that may directly impact the village.

The full list of proposals are given below:

• Explore options to deliver Adult Social Care (ASC) Resource Centre services through an alternative provider or in a different way
• Turn off streetlights in residential roads between midnight and 5am
• Increase some Adult Social Care (ASC) fees and charges above the rate of inflation
• Discontinue the mobile library service
• Create a voluntary charitable contribution (via Council Tax payments) scheme
• Reduce the number of winter gritting routes
• Cease providing the Adult Respite in the Community (ARC) Service
• Remove Downland Sports Centre from the Leisure Management Contract
• Remove a proportion of the litter bins and dog waste bins from the Grounds Maintenance Contract
• We’d also like to hear your views on where to focus spending, and an overall 5% increase in fees

You can find out more information and respond to the consultation on each suggestion here: WBC Budget Consultation

Please respond by midnight on Monday, 23 December 2024.