Reading’s cafes, restaurants, and small businesses face further financial strain as the council raises fees for pavement café licences, extra bins, and various other permits. The Labour council at Reading Borough Council introduced these increases as part of a financial recovery plan to tackle significant budget pressures in the 2024/25 financial year.

The council’s finance officers have identified an estimated £5 million budget shortfall, prompting a strategy of increasing fees and charges for a range of council-provided services. This plan aims to bridge the gap and ensure funding for essential services across the borough.

For many small businesses and independent establishments, however, these hikes come at a difficult time, as they already face rising inflation, energy costs, and supply chain challenges. Local business owners worry that the increased fees could discourage outdoor seating, reducing the appeal and accessibility of pavement cafes that have revitalised Reading’s streets since the pandemic. Added costs for waste management and extra bins could also tighten margins for businesses already managing slim budgets.

Council representatives argue that the adjustments are necessary to address rising service demands and maintain clean, safe public spaces across Reading. However, business leaders are calling on the council to consider the impact on small enterprises, which are central to the town’s economy and community character.

As the new fees roll out, local business associations are urging the council to explore alternative strategies that would support smaller operators while still meeting budget goals.

Over 11 thousand of those aged over 80 in Reading are at risk of losing their Winter Fuel Payments due to the government’s cuts, the latest official statistics have revealed.

Reading Liberal Democrats, have called on the new government to “change course” in the face of these new statistics saying that ministers must “protect vulnerable pensioners” with thousands at risk of having to choose between heating and eating this winter.

Analysis of the new data shows that in Reading, over 11 thousand pensioners aged over 80 are not in receipt of pension credit and will lose their Winter Fuel Payment they were previously entitled to unless they receive other benefits. 

All those aged over 80 were previously entitled to £300 each to help with their energy bills to stay warm during the winter months but many will now lose this money.

In total, last year those aged over 80 in Reading received £3.25 million in support with £7.6 million given out to all pensioners in the constituency. This figure will drastically fall this winter following the withdrawal of support by the government for the vast majority of pensioners.

In total, just over 40 thousand pensioners in Reading do not receive pension credit and are also at risk of losing support due to the government’s cuts.

Age UK has previously said that 2.5 million pensioners will “be in serious trouble” this winter due to the cutting of the payments. Reading Lib Dems called on the government to “reverse these proposals and protect vulnerable pensioners” this winter. 

Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Reading Borough Council, James Moore said:

“Thousands of pensioners here in Reading are desperately worried about how they will make it through this winter. We are especially concerned about vulnerable older pensioners, and these figures are deeply worrying. 

We have heard countless stories from those who now say they will have to choose between staying warm or putting food on the table as a result of this government’s decision.

Cutting these payments for thousands of my constituents, including many that are just barely getting by, is the completely wrong thing to be doing.

It is not too late for this new government to change course, reverse these proposals and protect vulnerable pensioners here in Reading this winter.”

Reading, UK –Labour-run local authority has issued an apology after it emerged that thousands of parking fines were wrongly handed out to drivers over more than a decade due to administrative errors.

An internal review conducted by Reading Borough Council revealed that 6,136 penalty charge notices (PCNs) were incorrectly issued between 2013 and 2024, stemming from problems with the borough’s Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), which govern parking restrictions and road management rules.

Motorists who paid these fines are entitled to claim a refund, including interest, starting next week. The council estimates that it will need to repay around £357,000 in total.

Reading Borough Council’s Chief Executive, Jackie Yates, apologised for the mistakes, saying, “We deeply regret the errors and are committed to ensuring this situation is not repeated. Parking enforcement in the affected areas was immediately paused when the issue with the TROs was identified, and we are taking steps to prevent this from happening again.”

The errors impacted five different areas at various times over the 11-year period:

• Kings Road and Wokingham Road: January 2018 to March 2024
• Waldeck Street and Swainstone Road permit zones: March 2016 to June 2024
• Red Route West (Tilehurst to West Reading): Seven days in May 2018
• Southcote verge and footway parking restrictions: August 2015 to June 2024
• Tilehurst and Kentwood verge and footway parking restrictions: November 2013 to June 2024

The issue was first identified earlier this year when a council staff member reported a defect in one of the TROs, leading to the discovery of the broader problem.

Motorists affected by the incorrect fines are urged to apply for refunds once the claims process opens next week.