BUDGET 2025/26: Cantley parking charges won't be introduced

Wokingham Borough Council has listened to concerns over proposed car parking charges at Cantley Park and will not be introducing them in next week’s budget.

The income generated through hiring out of facilities at the park (by sports clubs and other organisations) does not cover its running costs and the cost of investment made at the park, so the council needs to find a way to ensure it stays financially viable in the future. 

It had been proposed to introduce charging for car parking at the park to make up the shortfall, but instead the council will now work with the park’s users to find a solution.

Cllr Mark Ashwell, Executive Member for Economic Development, Sport, Leisure and the Arts, said: “Cantley Park is a fantastic place that gives people opportunities to enjoy sports and other activities. 

“We don’t want to limit those opportunities, but we also need to generate income to cover the cost of maintaining it – to put that into perspective, the price of hiring grass football pitches at Cantley only covers less than a third of the true cost of maintaining them. 

“So, we need to talk to those who use the park so we can jointly come up with the best solution to protect its future.”

Budget to be agreed on 20 February

Wokingham Borough Council will set its budget next Thursday against a very difficult financial backdrop. 

The council has the lowest settlement funding assessment (the annual Government grant to pay for services) per person of any unitary authority in the country and is facing a cash reduction of £1 million on core government grants and a further shortfall in National Insurance reimbursement of more than £300,000.

The financial situation has been made worse by the inflation of recent years, increasing resident needs and changes such as the National Insurance increase. 

The overall impact means the council needs to find £7.8 million savings in its budget after having identified more than £23 million over the previous two years.

'A prudent, balanced budget'

Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, Executive Member for Finance, said: “We will be setting a prudent, balanced budget next week, but it has not been easy. 

“The cost of supporting those who need us most – children and adults with physical disabilities, learning difficulties, mental health problems and the issues that come with old age – is increasing. 

“Meeting their needs rightly takes precedence when we make financial decisions but, without proper Government support, that means we need to look for savings or extra income elsewhere.

“We’ve thought about car park charging at Cantley and decided it is not a way to generate income this year – but we do need to work with the parks users to come up with workable solutions.”

Working together to safeguard future of communities

The engagement with Cantley Park user groups to jointly find a way to safeguard its future will be replicated throughout next year, as the council works with the community and partners to tackle its financial difficulties in the long term.

Leader of the Council Cllr Stephen Conway said: “We’ve made a commitment in recent years to work with partners and the wider community on issues facing us. 

“Like most councils, the biggest issue facing us is our financial position and so it is right that we commit to engaging and consulting people on how we respond to that.

“Our conversations and engagement with Cantley Park user groups will be a practical example of that commitment in action and they will be replicated on other issues.”