The vision for what the council will be doing in Reading for the next three years has been laid out.

It involves the redevelopment of Minster Quarter, improvements to leisure facilities such as the town’s pools, ‘home first social care’ and more key priorities.

The council’s vision has been formed by its Labour administration in its Corporate Plan 2022-2025.

Councillor Jason Brock (Labour, Southcote), the leader of the council, described the plan as a counterpart to the budget, laying out practical goals for what taxypayer’s money will go to.

READ MORE: Reading leader compares himself to 'Fidel Castro' in major budget meeting 

The Corporate Plan vision is to “help Reading realise its potential and to ensure that everyone who lives and works here can share the benefits of its success.”

Cllr Brock explained the plan is broken down into three key themes, which are: sustaining thriving communities, preserving a healthy environment and creating an inclusive economy. 

He highlighted elements of the plan which include the opening of new pools and leisure facilities at Rivermead Leisure Centre and Palmer Park,  keeping libraries open, and investing in new community centres following the closure of old ones in South Reading and the Dee Park estate in Tilehurst.

The plan received a mixed response from opposition councillors during discussion of it on Tuesday, March 22.

Cllr Rob White (Green, Park) announced that his group would not be supporting it.

He said: “We think that Labour councillors are failing the town on poverty, inequality, and on climate change.

“Inequality is increasing, Reading now has five of the most deprived areas in the country, a few years ago it was two.”

The statistic is admitted in the Corporate Plan itself, according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019.

READ MORE: Reading politicians clash as council returns £495,000 grant meant for home insulation

Although supporting the plan, cllr Paul Carnell (Conservative, Thames) felt it could be more aspirational.

His biggest criticism was the council’s lack of ambition for the future development of care leavers, those aged 16+ who no longer require foster care or in children’s homes.

Cllr Carnell said: “A target of 25 per cent of care leavers not in education, employment or training is rather poor.

“One in four care leavers, young people who have had a hard start in life, not receiving training education or a pay packet. Not really a target to be proud of.”

Meanwhile, cllr Meri O’Connell (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) said: “We applaud the new council homes that are being built.

“Thank you very much, they’re excellent, but 300 simply is not enough, when we’ve got waiting lists of thousands.”

The Corporate Plan involves building 300 new affordable, energy efficient homes over the next four years, at a cost of £80 million, in an effort to reduce the housing waiting list, and provide housing for those seeking shelter and key workers.

You can read the Corporate Plan here.

All Labour and Conservative councillors voted to approve it, with the Greens voting against it, and cllr O’Connell abstaining.