Labour-run Reading Council to cut budget for tackling inequality at council budget setting meeting. The proposed cuts will directly and severely impact local residents by reducing support for essential community projects that promote sports, education, skills development, and cultural activities.

Labour councillors are proposing cutting the inequality budget in South Reading – Church Ward and Whitley Ward. The plan would reduce the £340,000 budget by £230,000, leaving only £110,000 available. While staff funding remains intact, money for running project to tackle inequality is being slashed. The detail of these cuts are hidden in budget papers only available to councillors. Previously, these funds supported community activities covering sports, education, skills development, culture, career advice, and the community ambassadors’ network.

Councillor Rob White stated, “In recent years, poverty in Reading has unfortunately been on the increase. Reading has both severely deprived areas and very wealthy areas. The difference between life expectancy in the richest part of town and the poorest part of town is 7 years. Inequality is bad because it marginalizes vulnerable residents and weakens community cohesion. Cutting this money means the council has less capacity to address urgent social challenges. Greens believe tackling inequality should be a top priority. Despite a new government, we have shifted from Conservative austerity straight into Labour austerity, leaving our residents at risk.”

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Despite a Labour-run Reading Council house building programme, the total number of council homes in Reading has decreased by five between 2021 and 2023, impacting residents in need of affordable housing.

Data from the council reveals a net loss of five council homes, with the number dropping from 6,987 in 2021/22 to 6,982 in 2023/24. This reduction is attributed to the loss of homes through ‘right to buy’ sales, leaving fewer affordable homes available for local families. ‘Right to buy’ has been called one of the biggest acts of privatisation ever undertaken, transferring over £40 billion worth of value away from local authorities in the last 45 years, leaving millions of people in ‘grotty privately rented accomodation’.

In 2023, it was reported that Reading had the largest council house waitlist in the county with 3,187 households waiting for a council property. Rough sleeping in Reading is also at an all-time high.

Councillor Dave McElroy (Green Party, Redlands Ward, 2024 MP candidate) commented:

“It is crazy that during a housing crisis, Reading has lost council homes overall – down by five, despite council house building. This loss directly impacts families and individuals who are struggling to find affordable housing. While we acknowledge the efforts to build new homes, the overall loss shows the need for a more effective strategy locally and nationally.

“Greens in Reading want more investment in building council houses which are the homes we really need. We don’t need any more unaffordable luxury flats going up in the town centre for example! We also need to see changes at Westminster that protect the public housing stocks we already have. Green MPs are working for this at a national level.”

The more people who get involved, the more of a difference we can make on issues like this. If you have time to help deliver leaflets or knock on doors, then get in contact (https://reading.greenparty.org.uk/get-involved/). Or why not join the Green Party (https://join.greenparty.org.uk/)?

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Greens were disappointed that Labour raised the bus fare cap from £2 to £3. Reading Buses say that ‘not all fares will rise to this level’, implying many will go up. Councillor Dave McElroy has raised this at a council meeting.

Cllr McElroy says, “Greens are campaigning for investment in affordable, joined up and reliable public transport.

“The more people who get involved, the more of a difference we can make on issues like this. If you have time to help deliver leaflets or knock on doors, then get in contact (https://reading.greenparty.org.uk/get-involved/). Or why not join the Green Party (https://join.greenparty.org.uk/)?”

UPDATE: more information is available from Reading Buses https://www.reading-buses.co.uk/new-single-fares-1-january

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Fly-tipping is up, but the anti-fly tipping team is issuing significantly fewer fines for dumping waste this year. Greens are calling for more people in the anti-fly-tipping team.

Councillor Rob White (Green Party, Park Ward) said: “It is a shame that Labour councillors haven’t resourced the anti-fly-tipping team properly. Fewer fines are being issued and fly-tipping remains a problem.

“Greens would like to see more resource for tackling fly-tipping, but unfortunately the council is going in the opposite direction, cutting the free bulky waste collection service which was designed to help tackle fly-tipping.

“Nationally Greens are campaigning for the Labour government to fund councils properly, to force manufacturers to produce less packaging, and to promote reuse and repair. This would cut down on the rubbish on our roads and mean councils were better resourced to tackle what remains.”

The more people who get involved, the more of a difference we can make on issues like this. If you have time to help deliver leaflets or knock on doors, then get in contact (https://reading.greenparty.org.uk/get-involved/). Or why not join the Green Party (https://join.greenparty.org.uk/)?

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The local Green Party has unveiled its plans to create a fairer, greener and cleaner Reading ahead of the local elections this year.

As usual, the Green Party is a standing candidates in every ward across the town.

Priorities in their local manifesto include:

• financial support for those in need
• more affordable housing
• urgent support for home insulating
• doubling the number of trees
• tackling rubbish problems, potholes and getting doorstep glass recycling

The Green Party are currently the main opposition party on Reading Borough Council, with more councillors than both the Conservatives and Lib Dems. They have councillors in Park, Redlands and Katesgrove wards.

The make-up of the council is 32 Labour, seven Green, five Conservative, three Lib Dem and one independent.

Councillor Dave McElroy (Green Party, Redlands Ward) said: “Under the Labour-run council our area is blighted by potholes, overflowing bins, antisocial behaviour, congestion and air pollution. Carbon reductions have stalled, people can’t find a dentist and we don’t have enough affordable housing. Greens have campaigned tirelessly with residents to tackle these issues.

“Over the last year Greens have had success tackling bin problems, poor quality privately rented accommodation and road safety issues.

“There are many wards in Reading where the Green Party stands a good chance of winning this year, but the results are going to be close, including here in Redlands.

“Labour have a massive majority on the council and it’s highly likely that they will run the council whatever happens. The current balance is 32 Labour councillors, seven Green councillors, five Conservatives, three Lib Dems and one independent.

“Voting Green will mean you get not only a hard-working representative on the council making a difference all year round, but keep a strong main opposition party holding Labour to account for their actions.

“Vote Green for a fairer, greener and cleaner town.”

You can view the full manifesto on the local Green Party website.

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Dave is a scientist, a dad, and a sports lover. He has lived in Reading since 2017 and works for an international organisation dedicated to protecting land and farmers. As a hardworking councillor, Dave is a tireless campaigner for cleaner air, safer streets, and sticking up for the needs of local people. He is out knocking on residents’ doors all year round. You can expect more of the same hard work if Dave McElroy is elected as an MP.

In Reading Central, the Greens have the second largest group of councillors ahead of both the Conservatives and Lib Dems.

Speaking after being selected, Councillor Dave McElroy said: “We are all struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. Reading is blighted by congestion, air pollution and speeding, a lack of affordable housing, and a shortage of NHS dentists. I have been working on these issues as a councillor. If elected as an MP, I would be able to do this on a national level.

“The Green Party is now in second place on Reading Council ahead of both the Conservatives and Lib Dems. With more Green councillors, we have been able to make more of a difference on the council. With more MPs, we would be able to make more of a difference nationally.

“As your MP, I would also be able to act as a moral anchor on national issues, like taking the climate crisis seriously and condemning terror and genocide in all forms.

“Voters can expect me to stand up for people, planet and improving our quality of life. As a principle, I will always act on what I believe to be in the best interests of Reading residents, not the best interests of career politicians or the super-rich. With me, there will be no surprises, no excuses, just getting on with making the town fairer, greener and cleaner.

“The solution to the problems created by those in power cannot be more of the same.  I urge the people of Reading to think about what matters to them, who has got us into this mess, what the Green Party has to offer, and be inspired to vote Green.”

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The Labour Party ditching its plan to spend £28 billion a year on green investments is a big step backward. It’s bad for Reading’s environment, Reading’s economy, and for creating good jobs in the town. Protecting our planet for the future and making sure the UK does well economically means we need to invest in going green.

Instead of sticking to strict money rules, Labour could find the cash by making the super-rich pay a wealth tax. There’s plenty of money in the economy to do this. The Green Party thinks we should invest even more money, double what Labour promised, to speed up the switch to a green economy.

Investing in a green future means Reading residents will have better jobs and a safer environment. By cleaning up industries, improving buildings, and using more renewable energy, we can cut Reading’s high levels of pollution, lower bills, and make sure there are good jobs for all.

Deciding to invest in this secure future is a political choice. By dropping their green plan Labour is showing they’re not focused on a fairer, greener and cleaner future. That’s why we need more Green MPs in Parliament after the next election to make sure whoever is in charge does the right thing.

Greens are the second largest party in Reading

As the main opposition party on Labour-run Reading Council Green councillors will continue to work constructively to get the best for Reading residents. There are now seven Green Party councillors and we are now two councillors ahead of the Conservatives. We will keep working hard all year round on the issues that matter to residents.

If you’re keen on being part of the change in Reading, get involved and help us make Reading fairer, greener and cleaner:

reading.greenparty.org.uk/get-involved

By Green Party councillor Rob White

Leader of the main opposition group on Reading Borough Council

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Green councillors have for some time been campaigning on Labour-run Reading Council’s poor record on delayed and missed bin collections. At the peak of missed bin collections, 868 bins were missed in August 2023 compared to the performance standard of 250, and one week in November saw all roads have a delayed green bin collection; 211 roads have a delay with the grey bin and 114 roads have a delay with the red bin.

The council’s budget papers say that 71 full-time workers are required to empty everyone’s bins on time, but the council’s current waste budget only provides for 60 people. The council is going to increase funding in this area by £405,000 to pay for the correct number of people.

Cllr Dave McElroy said: “Residents have been raising missed and delayed bin collections for some time. These problems lead to blocked pavements, more fly-tipping, and more litter on our roads. We have been continually raising this issue and lobbying for the council to employ enough people so that everyone’s bins are emptied on time.

“While I’m sure that local rat populations will be disappointed, we are glad that this Green Party pressure has paid off and that the council is increasing the budget needed to clean up its own mess.”

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According to the Berkshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment Reading needs 406 new affordable homes delivered every year for residents in need,¹ but the council have managed just 135 last year.² This is down from 178 the previous year.

Councillor Dave McElroy (Green Party, Redlands Ward) says, “We have a housing crisis in Reading. On affordable housing, the council just isn’t delivering. Time and time again we see the majority Labour planning committee wave through new developments with little affordable housing. The Conservative government’s policies have definitely made matters worse, but it is disappointing to see how happily Reading Labour goes about implementing the Tory agenda.

“The council meekly asked the developers of our own old Civic site for 30% of the flats built to be affordable. Their policy used to be for at least 50% of homes to be affordable. The longer Labour have been in power the worse this issue has got.

“Having a safe, warm, affordable home is so important to the people of Reading. Our key workers need a place to call home. The teachers, nurses, posties and everyone else who keeps our town running deserve a home they can afford.

“We need policies designed to deliver for the people of Reading, and politicians willing to see them through. Green councillors will keep working for a fairer, greener town.”

1. Reading’s net need is 406 affordable homes per year (page 228, table 81, right-hand column) ↩︎
2. Planning Annual Monitoring Report (page 26, table 8.4: Affordable housing completed 2022-23) ↩︎

(135 (affordable homes delivered in Reading last year)/406 (need))*100 = 33% 

The post Only one third of affordable housing needed being built in Reading appeared first on Reading & Wokingham Green Party.

For the week commencing Monday 13 November:

• 211 roads experienced a delay with their grey bin collection
• 114 roads experienced a delay with their red bin collection
• 502 roads (all of them) experienced a delay with their green bin collection

Councillor Dave McElroy (Green Party, Redlands Ward) said: “For the week commencing Monday 13 November, 24% of roads had a delay with their bin collection. Overflowing bins leads to problems with more waste being dumped and blown around creating litter. Many Reading roads already suffer with these problems, we don’t need more litter and fly tipping.

“And the longer the bins are left out on the street night after night, the greater the chance they are likely to be attacked by marauding foxes or late night revelers on their way home, like we’ve seen time and again in residential areas close to the university. The mess this creates is dire.

“The council needs a better system so it knows what’s going on, work needs to be done on vehicle reliability and staff conditions need to be improved. The Labour lead councillor needs to get a grip on this so our excellent bin crews can get our bins emptied on time. With the changes over Christmas it is important the council gets on top of this.”

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