Unpalatable choices have been forced on all councils as they struggle with increased demand for services, especially in adults and children’s social care, and rising costs in the delivery of those services.
Last Thursday, 20th February, there was a full council meeting to set the council’s budget for the next financial year and as a result, I find myself reflecting on the state of local politics.
I wanted to say thank you to all the members of the community who worked to help get eligible pensioners up for pension tax credit before Christmas.
In setting this year’s budget, we have three strategic objectives. First, to focus help on those who need it most; second, to plan for the long term; and third, to secure the benefits of working in partnership.
Wokingham MP Clive Jones has condemned the £3bn bailout of Thames Water, worsening the future burden upon bill-payers. The Liberal Democrats have called for the company to be put into special administration.
This week, influenced in part by the recent Winnersh by-election, I want to return to a topic that I have raised before – the way in which politics is conducted.
Leader's Speech to Autumn Conference 2025
Women’s rights around the world are under attack, with authoritarianism on the rise and deep cuts to UK aid undermining decades of progress. Defending women's rights must be a top priority and the UK must act boldly.
Two years of brutal civil war have turned Sudan into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 30 million people in urgent need of aid. Our new policy calls for UK leadership to end the conflict - standing with the Sudanese people.
