“A Breath of Fresh Air” - Our Vision for West Berkshire in 2025

The following paragraphs paint a picture of how West Berkshire might be in 2025 - a picture that the Sustainable Community Strategy seeks to deliver. The key principles behind this Vision are to retain what are seen as the current strengths of the District whilst acting to address the perceived opportunities for improvement. Most important of all is the desire to deliver a Vision that brings benefit to all those living and working in West Berkshire.

In 2025...

West Berkshire remains one the most prosperous successful local economies in the United Kingdom. Economic activity rates are high and there has been a notable increase over the past 20 years in the number of people with disabilities, lone parents and other potentially disadvantaged groups entering the labour market. Local examination results are in the top 25 of local authorities nationally and there has been a marked improvement in the skills base of the local economy. West Berkshire companies are able to source a high proportion of their workforce requirements locally and this is supported by a good suply of affordable local housing.

The population has continued to grow and has reached 165,000 with around 500 new homes continuing to be built each year. A significant proportion of this growth has been centred around Newbury, whose town centre has been transformed with a 20% increase in footfall in just 20 years. Both Newbury and Thatcham town centres now have a wide variety of shops supported by more places to visit. As a result most residents now do not have to travel out of the District to do most of their shopping.

The rural economy has been strengthened through further diversification away from traditional farming practices and the attraction of new industries. There are a good range of local facilities and the local school remains an important feature of the local community.

Despite growing congestion across the Thames Valley brought about by increasig levels of traffic, West Berkshire remains an accessible place to get to and get around in. Local traffic improvement schemes around Newbury and Thatcham and around Tilehurst and Calcot have helped make travel in the rush hour easier. Accessibility in the rural area has been improved through a range of transportation measures including new public transport, improved cycling provision and greater car sharing. Working from home has also become a major facet of working life in West Berkshire. Access to services has also been improved by local agencies working more closely together and by extending the use of electronic communication to the benefit of all who live and work in the District.

West Berkshire is now greener than many other parts of the country. The much valued landscape of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has been retained. The range of local wildlife has increased. The District has met the European Union's target of 20% of all energy coming from renewable sources. 50% of the District's household waste is recycled and 5% of all the food consumed in West Berkshire is grown within the District. West Berkshire is well on the way to meeting the Kyoto target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

West Berkshire is also now safer than many other parts of the South East. The crime rate is not only below the national and regional average but is also comparable with many of our neighbours. The level of anti-social behaviour has declined from that seen twenty years ago. West Berkshire also now has one of the lowest road accident rates in the South East.

The last 20 years have seen West Berkshire and its many communities become stronger and more cohesive. Residents have a strong sense of belonging to West Berkshire and the most vulnerable feel safe. The number of older people has increased dramatically but a high proportion are now enabled to live a more independent life at home Young people are more engaged, there is more for them to do and as a result they are enjoying life and achieving more. Individual communities at a parish level are active, engaged and inclusive, planning their own futures and working together to help realise their aspirations.

Above all the quality of life for those living and working in West Berkshire is now higher than it ever has been before - not for some - not for the majority - but for all. That improvement is borne out not only in official statistics but by what people say themselves, irrespective of race, culture, gender, ability or background.

This Vision enbodies five Key Themes which will underpin the strategy going forward towards 2025:

		A Prosperous District
		An Accessible District
		A Greener District
		A Safer District
		A Stronger District