Wokingham

This month sees Wokingham District Council holding a special council meeting to consider whether it should seek to change its status from a district council to that of a borough.

All 54 councillors will be invited to attend the special council meeting on Thursday September 28, 2006, at which they will be asked to consider the passing of a resolution to petition Her Majesty the Queen to grant a charter conferring the status of a borough upon the Wokingham district.

Cllr Angus Ross, chairman of the Wokingham council, said: “Being granted the status of a ‘borough’ and thereby having a ‘Mayor’ would bring us into line with the majority of Berkshire unitary authorities. It would help us to enhance our corporate image and create a stronger unity across the district whilst also generating greater civic pride and a real identity for the authority. We are officially recognised as a good council – this would further enhance our standing as a council.

“The title ‘borough’ has played an important role in British constitutional history for more than 500 years and is synonymous with civic pride, tradition and loyalty to the Crown which non-chartered authorities may not possess in the minds of the public and civic authorities.

“Indeed, it has become clear over the years that many people get confused over the role of the ‘Chairman’ of the council but they understand the functions of a Mayor. Many past chairmen have indicated that there would be much more clarity over their ceremonial role - being the ‘first citizen’ of the district and when representing the authority outside the district - if they were known as Mayor rather than chairman. Their opportunities to raise the district’s profile by acting as its public voice to project its work and achievements would also have been greater if the authority had been a borough instead of a district. My experience fully supports this.

“There is no doubt that there is more prestige and standing in being a borough and having a Mayor, and that in many people’s eyes, a council with this status is looked on as a higher authority than a district with a chairman.

“Wokingham District Council is the largest unitary council in Berkshire in terms of population and the district is nationally recognised as one of the best areas of the country in which to live. The added status of being a borough would help the council to forge better links with business, further strengthening the local economy. The recognition of a borough would also help us to gain an enhanced reputation for excellence in all the council does and could also help us in the many discussions we have with central government, particularly in relation to finance.

“The costs of becoming a borough and the subsequent name change would not be significant. We would not seek funding for any ‘trappings’ such as a Mayoral car and chauffeur or ceremonial items such as robes and a mace. The civic crest would remain unchanged and signage and stationery would be upgraded over a period of years.”

If the Wokingham council agrees to the lodging of the petition, the application for the charter would be formally published by the Privy Council Office and individuals or organisations given the opportunity to comment at that time. “Local residents, town and parish councils and neighbouring authorities are, however, very welcome to share their views with us now,” said Cllr Ross.

Councillors will also be asked on September 28 to consider whether it is appropriate to officially change the name of Wokingham District Council to reflect its new status should the charter be granted.

Any costs associated with the proposed status or name change to leaflets, stationery and signage would be kept to an absolute minimum and found from existing corporate budgets. All old stocks of leaflets, stationery, signage and so on would be used up first before any new supplies are printed.
Wokingham Cllr Ross said: “I strongly believe that is important to create a clear identity with our residents, our neighbouring authorities and the local government world as a whole. Our current status doesn’t achieve this. The implementation will be as near to cost-neutral as possible and will be borne by existing corporate budgets.”

Anyone wanting to share their views on the proposed status and name change should write to
Cllr Angus Ross, chairman of the council, Wokingham District Council, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1WQ.

Wokingham District Council