Reading Liberal Democrats launch “Six to Fix” plan for a town that works for every neighbourhood

Reading Liberal Democrats have today published their town plan, Six to Fix. It sets out six priorities to fix what residents say matters most: the state of the roads and streets, rising bills, support for families, local services, housing, and a Council that listens.

The plan comes as Reading’s Labour-run Council raised Council Tax by the maximum 4.99% allowed. Residents meanwhile report littered streets, gaps in bus coverage, and antisocial behaviour going unchallenged.

The six priorities are:

1. Fix our roads, clean our streets and tackle antisocial behaviour to get Reading moving. This means properly resourced enforcement against antisocial e-bike and e-scooter use, a joined-up cycling network that is built and kept, real pavement repairs, a dedicated street-fixes team, and a workable scheme on pavement parking.
2. A fair deal on your finances. Responsible management of Council finances, full take-up of the support residents are entitled to, a grant scheme for small businesses, and action to bring empty shops back into use.
3. Supporting children, young people and families. Invest in early help and after-school provision, free school meals for every eligible child, keep more children in care close to home, and pressure the Government to fund education for children with special needs properly.
4. Protect libraries, leisure, green spaces and culture, and hold Thames Water to account. No cuts to libraries, leisure or culture, real pressure on Thames Water over sewage, tree-canopy targets reported by ward, stronger drainage rules for new developments, and a rolling programme to refurbish play areas with accessibility built in.
5. More affordable homes built to last. Holding developers to their affordable housing obligations, more retrofit to cut bills, bringing empty homes back into use, and a permanent homelessness facility. Over 480 Reading households currently live in temporary accommodation.
6. A Council that works for you. Open reporting of Council performance, residents involved before decisions are finalised, services kept accessible by phone and in person, and annual public reporting by Reading Buses.

Cllr Anne Thompson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Reading Borough Council, said:

“Reading is a great town, but too many residents feel they’re paying more every year and getting less back. It doesn’t have to be this way. Liberal Democrat councils across the country are fixing roads, keeping libraries open and standing up to water companies, all without hammering residents with maximum Council Tax rises.

“Reading is set to be one of the fastest-growing economies in the country, yet five of our neighbourhoods are still among the most deprived in England. Growth that doesn’t reach every part of town isn’t success. Six to Fix is our plan to spread that growth, and to hold both the Labour Council and the Labour Government to account for the choices they make.”

Residents can find out more about the plan at https://www.readinglibdems.org.uk/about/six-to-fix.