'Ridgeway Council' focus of our next Community Forum

Join us at 6:30pm on Tuesday 15 July for our next Community Forum, an informative session on Local Government Re-organisation and Devolution. The Forum will focus on the proposal for a new unitary council 'Ridgeway Council' covering the districts of West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse. This initiative is part of a broader government plan to replace two-tier local government structures with larger, single-tier unitary councils. This will be one of a number of engagement events that have taken place during the engagement period.

Forums are an opportunity for residents, community members, and stakeholders to come together to discuss local challenges and opportunities that can shape the future of our neighbourhoods.

The aim of this Forum is for you to learn more about the proposal, for us to understand your views on the proposal and what it would mean for our communities.  

Justin Pemberton, West Berkshire's Executive Member for Community Engagement, Economic Development and Regeneration and Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation said,

"As part of West Berkshire Council's commitment to being a listening council, the Council agreed to establish Community Forums to bring together residents, our officers, and Councillors to discuss the things that really matter to them.

"This event is a chance for existing and potential new residents, and interested community, voluntary and business groups to meet to discuss emerging proposals which will affect the very future of our district and the way local services are provided as part of the Government's proposed reforms. It is also an opportunity for the community to share any topics, concerns, and issues which they'd like to make us aware of as we transition into whatever local government reorganisation and devolution looks like for West Berkshire."

This event is open to everyone and will provide a great opportunity for residents, councillors, local organisations/businesses to come together and talk about the proposals and encourage you to take part in the short online survey which is open until Wednesday 16 July."

Please send your questions to CommunityForumQuestions@westberks.gov.uk by midday on Friday 11 July and we'll answer them during the Forum.

You can attend the Forum in person at Theale library, Church Street, Theale RG7 5BZ or join us online via Zoom, making it convenient for everyone to participate.

You will need to register by email to CommunityForumQuestions@westberks.gov.uk and state if you will attend in person or online. Online participants will receive the joining link closer to the time.  The event will also be streamed live on our YouTube channel.