Published on
1 August 2025
Journey to 2030 secured as Council Plan 2025-30 and new EDI Policy approved
Council approves plan for next five years
The Council Plan 2025-30 has been approved at Wokingham Borough Council’s full council meeting on Thursday (31 July).
It sets out the authority’s medium-term goals and has been developed in line with the borough’s Communities Vision 2035, which was produced by the community to reflect the aspirations of those living in the borough.
Residents and council partners were invited to have their say on the plan earlier this year.
“Thank you to those who took the time to give us their views on the Council Plan,” said Cllr Stephen Conway, leader of the council. “Your insights and feedback have helped ensure our priorities align with your needs and the Communities Vision.”
The Council Plan also sets out the new approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) with the introduction of the EDI Policy 2025-29 which was also approved by the council this week.
Key themes and priorities
The council’s current plan reached its end in 2024 – but was extended to 2025. With the approval of the 2025-30 plan the council has charted a course forward to sustain and enhance its organisational objectives. The plan will serve as a strategic instrument, guiding the council’s actions and activities.
The Council Plan is built around four key themes; Fair, Green, Safe and Connected. These themes emerged from extensive public engagement and are designed to address the most pressing needs of our community:
- Fair: Residents have equitable access to opportunities, services, and support.
- Green: The surroundings are clean, sustainable, and have plenty of green spaces for all to enjoy and we all contribute towards reducing our carbon footprint.
- Safe: People who live, work in, or visit our borough feel safe and secure.
- Connected: We have strong communities enabled by accessible travel, a resilient economy, opportunities for people to connect with one another, and digital services which bring people together.
Why is the Council Plan important?
The Council Plan gives strategic direction to the council and its services - defining priorities and shaping delivery.
It gives clarity to residents, businesses and others on the council’s values, what it thinks is important, what it will do and what it hopes to deliver in the borough to support the Communities Vision.
It is not intended to cover everything the council does but sets out how its aspirations and goals will be delivered alongside the council’s day-to-day activities.
The Council Plan will be monitored through relevant working groups, boards, and scrutiny committees. report will regularly be taken to the Executive Committee to assess performance.
New Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy sets out
The EDI Policy sets out the council’s commitment to make Wokingham Borough a fair place to live for all residents and underpins the Council Plan’s main themes of fair, green, safe and connected.
The policy has been developed with residents and co-produced by council staff networks and the Voice of Inclusion and Equality (VINE), a partnership focused on promoting inclusion and belonging in the borough, to make sure it works for everyone and all communities.
Alice Kunjappy-Clifton, chair of the Voice of Inclusion and Equality, said: “This policy is about creating a borough where everyone feels welcome, is treated fairly, and truly belongs. We must embed the policy in everything we do, so that belonging becomes the norm, not an exception.”
There are four key equality priorities set out in the policy. These are:
- Continue to improve outcomes for everyone, with a focus on those who have the greatest need and the worst outcomes.
- Work with residents and partners to continue to build vibrant, welcoming communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
- Fulfil our equality commitments to communities, sharing the results and progress with residents.
- Continue to focus on creating a working environment where everyone is recognised, valued, respected, and supported to thrive.
“This policy commits the council to ensuring that we are serving all of our residents and making sure that they have equitable access to opportunities, services, and support,” said Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, executive member for resident services, inclusion and tackling poverty.
“This includes, for example, making sure that we’re considering the needs of residents who have a disability, those who don’t use the internet, and those such as care leavers and the elderly who may need additional support.”
The council will continue to engage with residents, colleagues and partners to develop the EDI action plan and meet its priority of connecting with the borough’s communities.
Working together to make our community vibrant and welcoming
“We are excited to share Wokingham Borough Council’s new plan 2025-30,” said Cllr Stephen Conway. “This is our promise to continue to work together to make our communities vibrant and welcoming for everyone.
“This plan is informed and shaped by Wokingham Communities Vision. Over the past year, we’ve engaged with around 5,000 residents, colleagues, and partners to understand their priorities.
“This plan reflects our shared ambitions and outlines our aspirations for our borough.
“We hope to continue working together with people in the borough to make this plan a reality.”
