In this message to readers for the New Year, Jason Brock, the leader of Reading Borough Council, reflects on the year that has passed and looks forward to more achievements and projects that will be completed this year. Councillor Brock writes:

As 2023 moves into 2024, and as many of us are still recovering from the excesses of Christmas, an opportunity is afforded to both look back and look ahead.

I have to say that, to me, 2023 feels like an unusually long year. Perhaps my perception of time is off now, because March 2020 seemed to be immediately followed by December 2022.

But an enormous amount has been achieved this year. Green Park station is up and running, and Rivermead Leisure Centre is open to those looking to embrace a fitness-based New Year’s resolution. A new community orchard has taken root in Whitley, and more playgrounds have been replaced across the town (including the excellent new facilities in Prospect Park).

Roads have been resurfaced and new Council homes have welcomed their first tenants. And the Simod Cup visited the museum.

The year to come will see even more road resurfacing, and more new Council homes reach completion. It’ll also see work beginning on the new Central Library and Hexagon Community Theatre – flagship facilities fit for the twenty-first century. Reading’s best-ever swimming pool will open too.

Plenty of public transport improvements are already in progress, and new active travel schemes will be joining them. And, one supposes, we’ll have the excitement of a General Election…

There’ll be much more besides, and plenty of unpredictability too, I’m sure. But I sincerely wish you all a Happy New Year and hope you all have a successful and enjoyable 2024.