Leaders from Wokingham Borough Council have joined forces with their counterparts at Bracknell Forest Council to voice serious concerns regarding the rapid implementation of changes to local government funding. The Government's new funding allocation method, introduced late last year following its Fairer Funding Review, is estimated to reduce Wokingham Borough Council's funding by £43 million over the next three years.
These financial pressures are compounded by increasing resident needs and rising operational costs, making it challenging for some councils to maintain balanced budgets. Wokingham Borough Council is actively working with Bracknell Forest Council and other affected authorities to demonstrate to government ministers the real-world consequences of these grant funding changes on local communities and individuals.
Cllr Stephen Conway, Leader of Wokingham Borough Council, stated, “The funding settlement we received from the Government is the worst we have ever had. Wokingham Borough is an affluent place and so, as the Government attempts to shift funding to more deprived areas, we inevitably lost out. But a lot of our costs are not related to deprivation, they are related to adult and children’s social care needs – which are increasing dramatically here.”
He added, “We are calling for a full discussion with Government ministers so we can show what this change means for our local people and our borough in the short-term.” Leaders from both councils plan to write to the minister responsible for local government funding, requesting that reductions in their core grants between 2026 to 2027 and 2028 to 2029 be capped at a maximum of 10%.
They also intend to invite the minister to discuss their concerns about safeguarding essential services amidst rising demand, escalating costs, and reduced Government funding.
