John Healey MP, Minister for Local Government and Flood Recovery, attended a press conference in Reading on Tuesday 4 March. Mr Healey, together with Council Leader David Sutton, showcased public services and Council Tax levels in Reading - in contrast to other neighbouring councils. Reading is the sole Labour controlled council in the South-East and is only raising Council Tax by 1.9% this year.

Martin Salter MP will be joining Environment Agency officials and local Councillors and campaigners to explain to the Minister the flood risk that would result from PRUPIM’s proposal to build 7500 homes within the functional floodplain of the Kennet Meadows.

Council Leader David Sutton said:

“I’m delighted that the senior Local Government Minister has chosen to visit Reading to find out how we have been able to deliver efficiency savings which has meant the lowest council tax rise in Berkshire”.

Reading West MP, Martin Salter, added:

“Local councillors in Minster and Southcote have asked me to bring a Government Minister down to the Kennet Meadows to see for himself the appalling consequences for these communities if the flood meadows were destroyed by the developers.”