News

• Water Fest returns for its 34th year on 10 June 2023, in partnership with the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust
• Enhanced programme of events made possible thanks to funding boost from Arts Council England and National Lottery Players

• Reading introduced Berkshire's first electric bin lorry, and now has five for you to name
• Switch to electric vehicles is part of the Council's commitment to tackling the Climate Emergency
• Enter your name suggestion online by Monday 26 June

• Driver fined over £2,000 and given 6 points on his licence following joint investigation between Reading Borough Council and South Oxfordshire District Council 

Reading is set to embark on an awe-inspiring climate journey as the Gaia Earth installation makes its much-anticipated arrival on Saturday 10 June 2023 as part of Reading Climate Festival.

• Paddling pool open from Saturday 27 May
• Open seven days a week

• Summer Reading Challenge 2023 launches on 8 July
• Volunteers sought aged 14-18 who are enthusiastic about reading
• Opportunity to develop new skills and work experience

• Open to the public from 17 July 2023
• Facilities include a 6-court sports hall and a 120-station gym with 3 studios, soft play activity zone with party rooms and cafe
• Swimming pools will follow in summer 2024

• Next phase of the Council’s two-year, £26 million-pound investment to improve Reading’s bus service and bus infrastructure
• Ambition to make travelling by bus in Reading faster with fewer delays
• Six new bus lanes earmarked at key locations

• A total of 73 residents did not return to a polling station to vote after initially being turned away for not having an acceptable form of identification
• Impact could potentially be higher as the figure for the number of residents who chose not to vote this year as a result of new Voter ID laws is not known
• 99.7% of residents who attended a polling station on May 4 were able to cast a vote

• Council Leader announces proposed new Administration for the year ahead
• Appointments will be ratified at the Council's AGM next Wednesday, where a new Mayor will also be confirmed

• Proposed new Deputy Leader of the Council and Mayoral nomination announced for the new Municipal Year
• All appointments to be ratified at the Council’s AGM on Wednesday May 24 at Reading Town Hall

• The Armoured Heart sculpture is a symbol of peace and hope which stands against knife crime
• Young people from Starting Point charity worked with local artist Stuart Melrose on the project
• Sculpture will be followed by an ongoing educational outreach programme to challenge knife culture