Consultation Hub

This site will help you find and participate in consultations that interest you.

Recently updated consultations are displayed below. Alternatively, search for consultations by keyword, postcode, interest etc.

Open Consultations

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Closed Consultations

  • Residents survey 2021

    The Council has commissioned Marketing Means to carry out our next residents survey. This asks about residents’ views of the Council, its services and the Borough. The survey will take place with a representative sample of residents, primarily by telephone, with limited in-street... More

    Closed 18 September 2021

  • Reading Libraries Consultation

    We are developing a ‘vision’ for our library service to ensure it is forward looking, innovative and provides an excellent experience for everyone. We’ve set out a draft idea of what we hope to achieve and what we think our priorities should be. We need your help. We want to know more... More

    Closed 17 September 2021

  • Kidmore Road: zebra crossing

    Reading Borough Council is proposing a new controlled pedestrian crossing (a zebra crossing) to support walking to Caversham Primary School, and to support pedestrians at all times of the day, in crossing the junction with Oakley Road. This proposal supports active, healthy travel in... More

    Closed 8 September 2021

  • Cemetery Services consultation

    In October 2020, representations were made to the Council stating that the Bereavement Service did not fully meet the needs of our communities. Specifically, this related to our cemetery maintenance operations and the types of grave available to families. A review of our... More

    Closed 12 August 2021

  • Dover Street play area consultation

    Dover Street play area is a small urban facility near to the town centre and is appreciated by the residents it serves. The council are taking the opportunity to replace existing equipment and surfaces that have reached the 'end of their life'. The new and improved facility will include a... More

    Closed 6 August 2021

See All Closed Consultations

We Asked, You Said, We Did

Here are some of the issues we have consulted on and their outcomes. See all outcomes

We asked

We asked for your views on our initial concept ideas on 4 schemes:

• Bath Road/Castle Hill (Southcote Lane – Inner Distribution Road (IDR)/Castle Street)
• London Road (Borough Boundary to London Street)
• Shinfield Road (Christchurch Green – Shinfield Rise)
• Southampton Street (Pell Street/Crown Street –Bridge Street/Fobney Street)

You said

Out of the 928 responses recieved, the Shinfield Road scheme was the best supported and least opposed scheme.

We did

We obtained approval from the Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee on 30th June 2021 to progress the Shinfield Road scheme. We will now commence the detailed design stage.

We asked

In December 2020 we shared three potential designs for the refurbishment of Cintra Park Children’s Playground. We asked residents to vote for their preferred option and leave their comments.

You said

The results of the public vote can be seen in the table below:

Cintra Park Children's Playground Refurbishment

Design

Online Vote
 

Ranking

Option 1 – HAGS
 

179

1st

Option 2 – Sutcliffe Play Ltd
 

18

3rd

Option 3 – Wicksteed
 

98

2nd

Total
 

295

 
  • Cintra Park is well used and in need of refurbishment, it’s tremendous news that it is receiving investment 
  • Not all items of equipment are wheelchair accessible within the designs, as they do not have linking paths
  • Play panels provide a range of stimuli for children of all abilities, please could more be provided
  • Pleased to see accessible play facilities, it would be wonderful to see accessible play equipment for older children
  • Cintra Park needs to remain secure during works on site

We did

Based on your feedback, we awarded the playground refurbishment contract to HAGS. 

HAGS’ design already included an abundance of equipment, however we worked with them to take on board feedback provided. All items of equipment within the playground will be wheelchair accessible, through the provision of linking paths. An additional three play panels were added to the original design, giving a total of five play panels.

We ensured there is a mix of equipment, for all ages and abilities. However, Cintra Park is not a destination park, significant destination parks are: Palmer Park, Prospect Park, Christchurch Meadows and John Rabsons Recreation Ground.

We are working closely with HAGS and RBC parks team to ensure that Cintra Park remains secure throughout works.

Next steps

Works will start on site on the 19th March and take approximately eight weeks to complete.

We asked

In Autumn 2020, Opinion Research Services (ORS) were commissioned by the Council to undertake a representative sample survey of 1,000 residents via telephone. The purpose of the survey was to gauge levels of satisfaction with the local area, the Council and the services it provides.

You said

When compared to our citizens panel survey of 2018, the results are very positive (although comparisons should be made with caution due to the different methodology used in 2018). However, the results are slightly lower than those from the Local Government Association (LGA) national survey, as they often are for more urban areas:

  • 77% of residents said they are satisfied with their local area as a place to live (compared with 65% in the 2018 survey, 83% in LGA survey)
  • 64% said they are satisfied with the way the Council runs things (compared with 38% in the 2018 survey; 68% in LGA survey)
  • 45% agreed that the Council provides value for money (22% in the 2018 survey; 54% in LGA survey)

The things that respondents thought are most in need of improving are:

  • road and pavement repairs (47%)
  • the level of crime (32%)
  • the level of traffic congestion (30%)
  • affordable decent housing (26%)
  • parking (24%)

We did

The results have been considered in the development of the Council’s Corporate Plan for 2021/22.

Road and pavement repairs again came out as the highest priority area in terms of needing to be improved – 47% of responses, compared to 58% in 2018, which indicates an improvement in the period which correlates to the Council’s investment in highways infrastructure. The Council has committed to invest £14.5m in the Council’s local highways infrastructure (including bridges) over the period 2021/22-2023/24 to continue to address this resident priority.

We’re refreshing our Community Safety Strategy and introducing a new Housing Strategy that outlines plans to improve access to good quality housing they can afford, within a thriving neighbourhood.

Our Local Transport Plan outlines investments in walking and cycling initiatives, public transport, and electric vehicle infrastructure that will make it easier for residents to make healthy choices, and feel the benefits of clean, green neighbourhoods.