Council receives Exceptional Financial Support

West Berkshire Council has been successful in its request to the Government for Exceptional Financial Support (EFS).

A letter was sent in January 2025 to request financial support of £16m. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has now confirmed that the request has been granted.

The Exceptional Financial Support will be allocated to bolster the Council's year end 2024/25 general reserve fund and to support the 2025/26 budget.

Welcoming the announcement Councillor Jeff Brooks, Leader of West Berkshire Council said:

"This is welcome news and we are pleased that our EFS request has been heard and acted upon. The Council has a strong history of prudent financial management whilst delivering significant savings, and protecting our frontline services. We wouldn't have asked for EFS if we felt we had any other choice but to do so. We're one of 30 councils to have done so."

"We will continue to spend your money wisely in what is an extremely challenging financial environment. We will also, as we have done here, continue to stand up for residents in advocating for the district and ensuring the Government understand the scale of the financial pressures facing local government."

Jim McMahon Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution has written to Councillor Jeff Brooks to outline the terms of providing Exceptional Financial Support. The expectation is for West Berkshire Council to continue its transformation programme.

Commenting on the minister's letter, Councillor Iain Cottingham, Executive Member for Finance and Resources said:

"Speaking on behalf of all West Berkshire Council employees, we thank the minister for his understanding of the financial pressure we currently face and the transparent collaborative engagement from MHCLG to grant our request for EFS."

"EFS will strengthen our financial resilience, replenishing our general reserve fund after a period post Covid-19 sustained decline. We welcome the expectation that as an organisation we need to continue our programme of innovation, transforming our agility on how we serve all the residents of West Berkshire."

Further information about the Exceptional Financial Support is set our in our recent Budget 2025/26 news article and Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

West Berkshire Council is set to agree its budget for the year ahead when it meets on Thursday (27 February). The meeting, which starts at 5.30pm, is open to the public to attend in person or to stream via YouTube. Further information is available on the West Berkshire Council website.