West Berkshire Council is the local authority of West Berkshire in Berkshire, England. The council was created in 1974 as Newbury District Council, and was a lower-tier district council until 1998. The district was renamed West Berkshire on 1 April 1998 when the council became a unitary authority, being a district council which also performs the functions of a county council.

The council has been under Liberal Democrat majority control since 2023. It is based at the Council Offices in Newbury.

History Establishment The council was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 as the Newbury District Council. It replaced Bradfield Rural District Council, Hungerford Rural District Council, Newbury Borough Council, Newbury Rural District Council and Wantage Rural District Council.

From 1974 until 1998 Newbury District Council was a lower-tier district authority, with Berkshire County Council being the upper-tier authority for the area. In 1998 Berkshire County Council was abolished and the county's six districts became unitary authorities, taking over the functions of the county council within their respective areas. During the transition period the council decided to change the district's name from Newbury to West Berkshire with effect from 1 April 1998, being the same day the council became a unitary authority. (See downloadable boundary-legislation-changes-from-1973.xls spreadsheet.)

Legal issues In 2018 (R (Faraday Development Ltd) v West Berkshire Council EWCA Civ 2532), the Court of Appeal ruled that in entering a development agreement with St. Modwen Properties to develop an industrial estate in Newbury, the Council had "effectively agreed to act unlawfully in the future". The disposal of the land in question was originally seen by the Council as a "land transaction" rather than a public works contract (but that position was surrendered in the Appeal submissions), and the opportunity to acquire the land was advertised so as to secure interested bids and "best consideration" in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972. The agreement allowed the developer the option to draw down land under a series of long leases, but if an option was taken up, the developer was contractually obliged to develop the site. The Court of Appeal, overruling the Administrative Court's judgment at first instance, held that such "contingent obligations" met the criteria for being considered a public works contract, whose procurement should have been undertaken in accordance with the full requirements of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The development agreement was ruled "ineffective" (quashed), the first time a decision of ineffectiveness was declared by English Courts against a Public Authority.11KBW, Faraday Development Ltd v West Berkshire Council: Court of Appeal gives important guidance on development agreements and options, and declares contract ineffective, published 15 November 2018, accessed 3 January 2024Court of Appeal (Civil Division), Faraday Development Ltd. v West Berkshire Council, judgment dated 14 November 2018, accessed 3 January 2024

Possible merger In July 2026, the UK Government confirmed that West Berkshire would become part of a new unitary authority known as Ridgeway Council, as part of the wider reorganisation of local government in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. The new authority would combine the existing areas of West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse, replacing the current councils. The proposal was selected over alternative reorganisation models following a government consultation.

Under the implementation timetable, West Berkshire Council would continue to operate until 1 April 2028, when it would be abolished and its functions transferred to Ridgeway Council. Elections to a shadow authority were scheduled for May 2027, with the shadow council overseeing the transition before the new authority formally assumed responsibility in April 2028.

However on 7 September 2026, the government announced that a number of ongoing local government reorganisations, including the one affection West Berkshire, would be paused until the decision is "reviewed". Planned elections to the shadow authority will now not go ahead next year, with West Berkshire Council elections taking place instead. It is not clear if and when the proposed changes will go ahead.

Governance West Berkshire Council provides both district-level and county-level functions. The whole district is also covered by civil parishes, which form a second tier of local government.

Political control The council has been under Liberal Democrat majority control since the 2023 election.

Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows: (Put "West Berkshire" in search box to see specific results.)

Newbury District Council Party in controlYears 1974–1976 1976–1991 1991–1998

West Berkshire Council (unitary authority) Party in controlYears 1998–2003 2003–2005 2005–2023 2023–present

Leadership The leaders of the council since 1999 have been:

Councillor Party From To Keith Lock 1999 2001 Lena Rust 2001 May 2003 Royce Longton 2003 2005 Graham Jones 10 May 2005 27 Sep 2012 Gordon Lundie 27 Sep 2012 5 Nov 2015 Roger Croft 5 Nov 2015 24 Mar 2017 Graham Jones 9 May 2017 May 2019 Lynne Doherty 21 May 2019 May 2023 Lee Dillon 25 May 2023 30 Apr 2024 Jeff Brooks 9 May 2024

Composition Following the 2023 election and a subsequent change of allegiance in October 2023, the composition of the council was:

Party Councillors 28 11 2 1 1Total43 The Greens, Labour and independent councillors sit together as the "Minority Group".

Elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2019 the council has comprised 43 councillors representing 24 wards, which each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.

Premises The council's headquarters are the Council Offices on Market Street in Newbury. The building was purpose-built for Newbury District Council at a cost of £3.5 million and was completed in 1982.

References