Have your say - balance our budget!

West Berkshire Council has today (Monday 1 December) launched a public consultation to give residents the opportunity to have their say on how to balance its 2026/27 budget. 

As the Council prepares its budget for 2026/27, the primary focus is on protecting our most vulnerable residents and minimising the impact on other frontline services. We will do this by transforming how we do business to ensure that all Council services are delivered effectively and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach. 

Funding for local authorities remains challenging, and West Berkshire Council is not alone in facing difficult decisions to balance its budget. The Council has identified a range of savings to support its financial position for 2026/27, amounting to £6.4 million.

These proposals include:

• Adult respite services: The Council would stop directly providing adult respite care in the community. Instead, these services would be purchased from other providers. This change could save up to £30,000.
• Sports facility charges: The Council proposes increasing the peak-time hire fees for the artificial pitch at Henwick Worthy Sports Ground and extending the peak-time hire charges for the artificial pitch at Henwick Worthy Sports Ground to include all day Sunday. This could generate up to £33,000 in additional income.

Details about the proposals and how to respond are available at westberks.gov.uk/balancing-our-budget. Anyone unable to access them online can call the Customer Services team for assistance on 01635 551111.  Have your say on the proposal by midday on Monday, 12 January 2026.

Commenting on the consultation, the Leader of West Berkshire Council, Councillor Jeff Brooks, said:

"Councils across the country are facing significant financial pressures, and we are no exception. Despite these challenges, we are committed to protecting frontline services and are pleased to be consulting on only two measures that will directly affect them this year. There's a range of details being worked on, and your feedback will help us make the difficult decisions ahead in a way that reflects our community's priorities

 

"This budget consultation is a vital opportunity for you to tell us what matters most to you - please do take part and let us know your views."

The budget will be considered by the Executive on Thursday, 12 February 2026, and approved by the Full Council on Thursday, 26 February 2026.

Meetings of the Executive and Full Council are open to the public, as required by law. Residents can attend in person at the Market Street Offices or stream live and on demand via our YouTube channel.