In testing times, Wokingham Borough Council has been guided by two imperatives. First, to use our very limited resources to help those most in need. Second, to lay the foundations for a better future.

Here are a few examples of what we have done to help those most in need. We have acquired a new care home for the elderly and infirm.

We are converting some of the council’s own office buildings to give the homeless a roof over their head and provide accommodation for care leavers.

We are increasing the number of places within the borough for children with special educational needs, mainly through two new schools.

We are working alongside the voluntary and charitable sector to support people during the cost-of-living crisis.

We are putting more money into adult and children’s social care, to reduce the pressure on their overstretched budgets.

These initiatives give help to those who need it most. In many cases they will also help the council limit its future costs.

Our new care home will help us to control future adult social care costs. Using some of the council’s buildings to help house the homeless will reduce the bill for expensive emergency bed and breakfast accommodation.

Investing in new special educational needs schools will increase in-borough provision. We have also invested in our mainstream schools to allow them to expand.

These will both reduce the amount we spend on home-to-school transport budget, which has grown enormously in recent years.

We have invested in a new solar farm at Barkham, which will help with our climate emergency agenda and generate a healthy income.

Your council is doing all it can to help those who need help most, while at the same time trying to put its finances on a secure long-term footing.