Strategies, policies and plans

Find all our published strategies, policies and plans and what they're for.

Our overarching values are:

Integrity - we act with integrity ensuring all decisions are lawful, transparent and impartial
Customer focused - we listen to our customers and do our best for them
Fairness - we will always treat everyone fairly

Our strategies, plans and policies shape the way we deliver and improve services. On this page we have listed all our strategies, policies and plans, and have organised them into the following categories:

Vision for the district

Our West Berkshire Vision 2036 [4MB] identifies challenges and opportunities across all policy areas, and establishes shared aspirations for the future. It is supported by a referenced evidence base [3MB]

Corporate-wide strategies, policies and plans

Our Council Strategy sets out our priorities (which are aligned to the West Berkshire Vision), and a realistic set of outcomes which are detailed in our Council Strategy Delivery Plan.
Our Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) is a rolling three-year strategy, which is built to ensure that the financial resources, both revenue and capital, are available to deliver the Council Strategy.
Our MTFS, Capital Strategy and Programme, Property Investment Strategy and Investment and Borrowing Strategy, are agreed annually at the Full Council Budget Meeting, usually around the end of February/beginning of March each year.
Our Procurement Strategy sets out our accountabilities, openness and transparency. Our aim is to build on the skills, expertise and knowledge available to us both locally and nationally, from public, private and third sector organisations and by responding to feedback.
Our Risk Management Strategy [7MB] outlines the approach that we take to manage risks and opportunities through using a structured, focused and proportional methodology.
Our Consultation Policy sets out our approach and commitment to consultation.
Our Customer Service Charter sets out how we will interact with you when you contact us, to ensure you have the best possible experience.
Our policies and procedures for Data Protection and Freedom of Information Requests can be found online.

Service-level strategies, policies and plans

We have organised these strategies, policies and plans by the following council strategy priority areas:

Services we are proud of

Our Berkshire West Health and Wellbeing Strategy [10MB] covers Reading, West Berkshire and Wokingham, and identifies five key areas in which we will make a difference to people's lives by targeting work and resources where they are needed, and where we know we can help to enable all of our residents to live happier and healthier lives.
Our Commercial Property Investment Strategy [476KB] sets out our plan to purchase commercial investment properties to provide a balanced investment portfolio and therefore a long-term, sustainable revenue stream.
Our Communications and Engagement Strategy [15MB] sets out our objectives and key principles for engagement to ensure we meet the needs of those we serve, and the outcomes which will help us determine if this approach has been successful.
Our Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Enforcement Policy provides an overview of how we will use the enforcement powers contained within the legislation. It is not intended to be a step-by-step procedure note specifying how we will consider individual cases.
Our Digital Strategy 2020 to 2023 [2MB] sets out how we intend to embrace new technologies, to enhance working practices and use digital techniques to ensure we can operate as efficiently as possible.

A fairer West Berkshire with opportunities for all

Our Adult Autism Strategy [739KB] plans how to support people with autism in West Berkshire.
Our Adult Social Care Charging Policy sets out how we will ask people for a contribution towards the cost of the adult social care support they receive, and how that contribution will be calculated.
Our Adult Social Care Deferred Payments Policy sets out how we will meet the requirement of the Care Act 2014 (sections 34 and 35) to offer Deferred Payments Agreements, to allow a person to defer the sale of their home where it is needed to fund care fees.
Our Adult Social Care Strategy [1MB] sets out the principles demonstrated by our staff, the standards that our service users can expect and our role in relation to our partner organisations. (Please note: The ASC Strategy is under review as aspects of it no longer reflect the priorities of the current administration. A revised strategy is being developed and will be out for public consultation in due course).
Our Adult Social Care Market Position Statement [11MB] summarises supply and demand for adult social care services in our district, and signals business opportunities within the care market in our area.
Our Apprenticeship Strategy sets out our ambition as both an employer and a key stakeholder in the future of our communities, including the promotion of apprenticeships to other local businesses both within West Berkshire and as part of a pan Berkshire initiative.
The Berkshire Suicide Prevention Strategy [3MB] encompasses the core elements of strong multi-agency working, public health leadership and comprehensive suicide prevention plans, setting out our local action to reduce suicide and self-harm.
Our Carers Strategy sets out how we support carers and young carers, to ensure that services are available and of a good quality.
Our Community Learning and Skills Strategy [5MB] sets out our commitment to providing a wide range of learning opportunities within, and for, our local communities. We aim to provide learning opportunities that reflect and respond to the diverse range of community needs, offering enrichment, progression and development in support of individuals, their families, their neighbourhoods and the wider community.
Our Discretionary Housing Payment Policy [266KB] supports the homelessness and rough sleeping strategy. The policy explains the scheme and the factors that will be considered when deciding whether to make a payment to residents who need extra help to pay their rent.
Our Domestic Abuse Strategy details the targets and aims we've implemented to address domestic abuse, encouraging effective action to support those experiencing, or affected by, domestic abuse.
Our Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Strategy sets out our plans to ensure a variety of support and safe accommodation options are available in West Berkshire, to meet the needs of all domestic abuse victims, including children. This Strategy will be delivered alongside the West Berkshire Domestic Abuse Strategy 2020 to 2023.
Our Equality Policy sets out our vision and commitment to equality of opportunity and respect for diversity.
Our Home to School Transport Policy ensures the equitable provision of transport to those who qualify under the Council's statutory duties and to explain when discretionary transport provision might be available 2022-2027.
Our Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020 to 2025 [2MB] sets our our plan for continuing work to address homelessness and rough sleeping.
Our Residential and Nursing Care Placements for Older People Policy sets out our plan for any new residential and nursing home placements, principally for people aged 65 and over.
Our Safeguarding Adults Policy shows how we will meet the requirement of Section 2 of the Care Act, to ensure the provision of preventative services (services which help prevent, delay or reduce the development of care and support needs).
Our School Improvement Strategy aims to ensure that all our schools are at least 'good' and all children make maximum progress, achieving their potential.
Our Serious Violence Reduction Strategy sets out our approach to tackling serious violence in West Berkshire
Our Special Educational Need (SEND) and Inclusion Strategy 2024 to 2029 sets out our vision and key priorities for supporting our children and young people with SEND.
Our Supported Employment Strategy [13MB] aims to ensure that those who sometimes struggle to participate in the job market receive any extra assistance they might require to access available and appropriate employment opportunities.
Our Workforce Strategy 2019-2023 [344KB] ties together various policies and activities that affect the workforce.

You can find an index of all our Adult Social Care policies, procedures and information online here.

You can also find an index of all our Children Social Care policies, procedures and information online here.

Tackling the climate and ecological emergency

Our Environment Strategy for West Berkshire [3MB] outlines the steps we intend to take with our partners to reach our target of carbon neutrality by 2030.
Our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) [15MB] sets our ambition to create a network of high-quality interconnected cycle routes and walking zones to encourage greater uptake of sustainable travel modes.
Our Local Transport Plan (LTP) [2MB] helps us to work out the transport needs of the district, and sets out a framework as to how we'll meet them, up to the year 2026. It is supported by a number of strategies designed to help deliver the priorities within the plan, including the Active Travel Strategy and the Road Safety Strategy.
Our Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) sets out our aims to improve the access network of 'definitive' public rights of way, cycle tracks, routes permitted for use by landowners, informal routes used by the public, and land open for public access, for the enjoyment of all its users.
Our Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Strategy seeks to map out a programme for supporting ULEV uptake in the district.
Our Waste Strategy is our long-term vision to maximise recycling and reduce rubbish.

A prosperous and resilient West Berkshire

Our Bus Services Improvement Plan (BSIP) sets out the plans of the council and bus operators to improve bus operation in the district and increase bus patronage.
Our Economic Development Strategy reflects a refreshed commitment to supporting the economy of West Berkshire. Whilst the area has many strengths, we recognise that there is still more to do and our strategy seeks to focus on these issues and, in particular, those challenges where we feel we can make a real contribution.
Our Enhanced Partnership Plan and scheme for local bus services implements the improvements detailed in the BSIP via the scheme(s).
Our Local Flood Risk Management Strategy addresses various aspects of local flood risk management, from improving awareness and communication to implementing measures to reduce unacceptable flood risk.
Our Highways Asset Management Plan provides guidance on the delivery of value for money highway maintenance services.
Our Housing Allocations Policy explains the framework that we use to decide how we allocate our social and affordable rent homes in West Berkshire, and what our priorities are in doing so.
Our Housing Grants and Loans Policy explains the housing grants and loans that are available to West Berkshire residents.
Our Housing Strategy is our vision for housing services across West Berkshire from 2020 to 2036.
Our Licensing Policy sets out how we will determine applications made under the Licensing Act 2003.
Our Local Plan, which sets out our local planning policies, is made up of a number of different documents, including the Core Strategy Development Plan Document, the Housing Sites Allocations Development Plan Document and the West Berkshire District Local Plan.
Our Statement of Gambling Principles identifies what we will generally consider when looking at applications for a gambling licence.
The goal of our Social Value Policy is to generate greater positive economic, environmental and social outcomes for West Berkshire from the public contracts the Council commissions and tenders.

Thriving communities with a strong local voice

Our Contaminated Land Strategy updates the relevant action plans and procedures taking into account the Council's current priorities and recent changes to the contaminated land statutory guidance.
Our Cultural and Heritage Strategy 2020 to 2030 [14MB] sets out the Cultural Heritage Strategy Delivery Group's strategic themes and objectives over ten years. Culture and heritage are integral to keeping the district as a place where people want to live, work and visit. The Delivery Plan and actions will be developed with key stakeholder organisations who have specialist knowledge, experience and networks, by autumn 2021.
Our Greenham Business Park Local Development Order provides a streamlined planning process.
Our Highway Winter Service Plan provides details of the policies, procedures and practices, which ensure our responsibilities for providing the Winter Service are met.
Our Home to School Transport Policy ensures the equitable provision of transport to those who qualify under the council's statutory duties, and to explain when discretionary transport provision might be available.
Our Leisure Strategy [6MB] outlines how we intend to work with our residents and partners to develop leisure opportunities and increase accessibility, to meet the needs and wishes of the local community and increase participation.
Our Minerals and Waste Local Plan sets out our policies to manage mineral and waste development in West Berkshire, as well as allocating sites for mineral extraction.
Our Network Management Plan shows how we manage the way traffic moves around the district's highway network. It sets out how we intend to fulfil our network management duty.
Our Playing Pitch Strategy [1MB] is a strategic assessment that provides an up-to-date analysis of supply and demand for playing pitches (grass and artificial) in a local authority area.
Our Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) provides guidance on the approach that should be taken to SuDS in new developments in West Berkshire, to manage and mitigate surface water flood risk.
Our Tenancy Strategy guides Registered Providers (RP's) in developing tenancy policies for their own stock, as we are a non-stockholding authority.

You can find our plans for re-shaping our town centres and high streets here.

Other Environmental Health, Licensing and Trading Standards policies can be found on the Public Protection Partnership webpage.

Other strategies, policies and plans

Our Access to Information policy explains how we keep your data safe and comply with the requirements of the existing legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulations 2016/679 (UK GDPR).
We promote an anti-fraud culture which highlights our zero tolerance to fraud, bribery, corruption, and theft. Our policies are summarised in the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy Summary [168KB] . There is also a Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure [269KB] which sets out how staff and others can raise concerns about wrongdoing (including fraud) within West Berkshire Council.
Our Complaints Policy and Procedures provide detailed guidance notes and explains our regulatory obligations.
Our Pay Policy Statement fulfils the requirements to publish a pay policy statement under s38 of the Localism Act 2011.
Our Smoke Free Workplace Policy [46KB] seeks to guarantee the right of all employees and visitors to breathe air free of tobacco smoke or vapour from e-cigarettes and to comply with smoke-free legislation.
Our Street Naming and Numbering Policy sets out the official street naming and numbering process. This maintains a comprehensive and high standard for naming streets and numbering or naming properties across the district.