West Berkshire Council

We're pleased to introduce Ridgeway Council. Alongside South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council, we are part of an ambitious proposal to create a brand-new unitary council that delivers high-quality services, improves financial resilience and value-for-money, and ensures it is able to maintain truly local representation. Find out more at https://rb.gy/n2p51r #WestBerkshire #SouthOxfordshire #ValeofWhiteHorse #Ridgeway #LocalGovernment

Are you an experienced procurement professional looking for an exciting new opportunity within the public sector? Procurement Officer is our job of the week, find out more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eYFXBy-9 #workforwestberkshire #procurementvacancy #hiring #commissioning #westberkshirecareers #localgovernment

Today, in honour of World Social Work Day which was officially yesterday (18 March), staff came together to honour and celebrate the incredible dedication of our social workers and social care practitioners at a special information and celebration event. The day was filled with inspiration and insight, as we had the privilege of hearing from individuals with lived experiences who shared how the Phoenix Day Centre has positively impacted their lives and wellbeing. It was a powerful reminder of the difference they make every single day! Our Social Work apprentices also took the stage to highlight the benefits of training through the apprenticeship route, showcasing how this pathway is shaping the next generation of social workers. Thank you to all our social workers and social care teams whose dedication, compassion, and hard work truly transform lives. We appreciate you! #WorldSocialWorkDay #ThankYouSocialWorkers #MakingADifference

We were proud to have been shortlisted in two categories at the Land Data Local Land Charges Awards 2025. The Council was a finalist in the category of Best Performing Migrated LA and Jon Beck, our Land Charges Officer, was a finalist in the Unsung Hero category. Unfortunately, the top prize didn’t come our way, but the recognition that we are doing a great job is reward, both for our small Land Charges team and their colleagues in other departments. What's more, we're also awarded Gold Standard - recognising accuracy and good practice. Curious as to what Land Charges are? Local Land Charges is one of those unfamiliar sections within a local authority but is one that so many people interact with when they buy or sell a property. The service holds a register of restrictions and charges against a piece of land or a building, which may be financial, restrictive, prohibitive, or the result of a decision made by the local authority. For example, the conditions attached to planning applications, details of enforcement notices, tree preservation orders, ancient monuments and listing buildings are held on the register. The Government is in the process of migrating the production of searches within this area to HM Land Registry and so far, 109 local authorities have successfully gone live. The local authority still has to maintain the register for the Land Registry and is responsible for keeping it up to date. Solicitors and dedicated search companies now use the HMLR online portal to interrogate the register for their client’s property purchase. The enquiries of local authorities which are part of the search process remain with the council and can involve highways queries, notices from Environmental Health and specific financial charges. Conveyancers also get the opportunity to ask their own questions relating to the property or the area in which it is located, for example, finding out if a footpath crosses the piece of land. Congratulations to all our colleagues who worked on this project! #localgov #localgovernment #berkshire #westberkshire #westberks #awards #finalists #landcharges

Been thinking about a career change? Ever considered becoming a social worker? There is just under a week left to apply for the #StepUpToSocialWork programme - an intensive but highly rewarding 14-month, full time training programme for aspiring child and family social workers. The programme is designed for people who want to become a social worker, but do not have a degree in social work. Successful applicants train through a combination of academic study and hands on social work experience in a local authority. Find out more and apply by 25 March here: https://lnkd.in/emxiyAgM

Are you passionate about ensuring the best educational outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)? Further Education SEN Manager is our job of the week, find out more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eWgRtmTa #WorkforWestBerkshire #WestBerkshireCareers #SENDVacancy #WereHiring #Recruitment #Manager #ApplyNow

A proposal to form a new unitary council covering West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse is to be discussed by councils next week. The initial proposal is being progressed under the title ‘Ridgeway Council’ – named after the famous 5,000-year-old footpath that travels through the heart of the three council areas. All three councils will hold special meetings ahead of a deadline of Friday 21 March for councils in Oxfordshire to submit proposals to the Government as part of a programme to shake up local councils. It will see two-tier councils, such as in Oxfordshire, replaced with single-tier councils and a requirement for all councils to serve around 500,000 residents or more. It will mean West Berkshire Council – which covers around 170,000 people – will need to merge with neighbouring councils. If approved, an initial proposal will be submitted later this month and a final submission due no later than 28 November 2025. If approved by the respective committees next week, further development work would take place on the proposals along with a programme of communication and engagement to ensure local voices and community needs are reflected in the proposal. We're pleased to be working with South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council to explore this proposal. You can read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/etFCrdVA

This year marks five years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic - a time that changed all our lives in ways we could never have imagined. As a lasting tribute, our 'Blossom into Spring' project saw the planting of Tai Haku cherry trees, chosen for their spring blossoms as a symbol of hope and remembrance. A total of 113 trees were planted across the district with help from Town and Parish Councils, including trees at Northcroft Park, Newbury. These trees bloom around the same time as the first lockdown, serving as a poignant reminder of the compassion, resilience, and unity that helped us through. Today is the national COVID-19 Day of Reflection across the UK, a time for us all to pause, remember, and reflect. We continue to honour and remember those affected and we invite residents, businesses, and community groups across West Berkshire to come together in reflection and remembrance. Find out more here:

This #InternationalWomensDay, we're celebrating the strong, courageous and wonderful women who work at West Berkshire Council. Women work across the whole organisation, from Customer Services to Public Health, Legal and Democratic Service to Children and Family Services, our workforce wouldn't be the same without them. We want to take the day to appreciate all the work they do to make West Berkshire such a great place to live, work and visit.

Do you want to be part of our forward-looking library service? Our aim is to encourage reading for all ages through traditional library services, as well as new digital technologies. Library Manager - Branches is our job of the week, find out more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/ePVXEaaF #workforwestberkshire #librariesvacancy #hiring #recruitment #westberkshirecareers #librariesmanager