In this letter, Raj Singh, the leader of the Conservative group on Reading Borough Council, has accused the Labour leadership of failing to meet its financial challenges. Councillor Singh writes:
The council often talks about “prudent financial management.” But when you look at the latest figures, a very different picture emerges — one of missed savings, overspending, and underperformance.
As leader of the Conservatives on the council, I’ve reviewed the latest financial report — and it confirms what many residents already suspect: our town is not being managed well. Here are just some of the headline figures from the council’s 2024/25 Quarter 4 report:
• A £9.3 million overspend on the General Fund • An additional £6.4 million requested by Brighter Futures for Children, despite only a small reduction in looked-after children • A £872,000 overspend on home-to-school transport • Emergency accommodation now costing £88.76 per night • £900,000 overspent on waste and fleet services • Only £5.4 million of £7.5 million in planned savings delivered • 39 per cent of the council’s KPIs rated ‘Red’ — underperforming • A Dedicated Schools Grant deficit of £24.9 million, forecast to rise to £53 million by 2027.
These aren’t one-off figures.
They point to a pattern — and one that can’t be explained away by national pressures alone.
In fact, Reading receives more central government funding than many neighbouring councils.
Reading gets around £230 per resident in un-ringfenced central government support.
Wokingham, by contrast, receives just £83 per person — the lowest of any unitary council in the country. Labour-run Reading has also benefited from £26 million in bus funding.
So if funding isn’t the root problem, what is? It’s time we looked at leadership and long-term vision. Labour has held a majority on Reading Borough Council for nearly 30 years. Over that time, residents have seen broken roads, fly-tipping and recycling issues persist, and housing policy fall short of local need.
Children’s services have faced repeated concerns. Promised savings haven’t materialised. Performance continues to slide.
Now, with two Labour MPs representing both Reading Central and Reading West, one might have hoped that joined-up thinking and stronger delivery would follow.
But what we’ve seen instead is more of the same: overspending without accountability, and silence when scrutiny is needed most. The sad reality is that Reading Labour take their majority for granted.
They rely on low voter turnout and the assumption that few will question the details.
But we cannot keep accepting poor outcomes just because “that’s the way it’s always been.”
Reading deserves better — from its council and from its parliamentary representatives. Residents should expect more than slogans and short-term fixes. They deserve value for money, better-managed services, and leadership that actually delivers.
That’s why I will continue to press for transparency, action, and accountability. Because this is your town — and it’s time your voice counted.
Cllr Singh represents Kentwood ward and is also the chairman of the Reading West and Mid Berkshire Conservative association.
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