West Berkshire Council

Council Tax Office - surprisingly quick to answer and get to talk to a team member who was very helpful and efficient with dealing with my mother's council tax issue. Very pleasant telephone manner and gave additional helpful advice. Hence the 5*
Mar 29th, 2023

Lynne Doherty leader of the council, and Laura farris the sooner you lot lose your seats the better!! A corrupt leadership and a very poor M.P.!!
Mar 11th, 2023

You have been kind to me as a wheelchair bound person and dealt with several issues. However, this is very serious! I need to speak to the department who deals with TPO's and you have closed a full half hour before the website says you are still working - what's that all about? There is a huge Oak Tree on the Old Bath Road, which has undermined the brick wall which has collapsed. It's across the road from our Block of Flats. If this Oak tree comes down in the winds we are experiencing it could cause loss of life and extensive damage to our Block of Flats. It is inexcusable that you are not working when you should be. I sincerely hope that nothing happens between now and when you reopen. The consequences don't bear thing about.
Dec 16th, 2022

The lower management of some departments can't admit error and simply correct mistakes. Not all departments, but some. I'm referring to Planning or Highways in particular. My experience of waste and recycling in contrast is very good; they are helpful and effective. Unfortunately if you are a resident there is no choice but to use West Berkshire council for some services. I found myself in such a position when trying to register an address. But I think it's worthwhile knowing the people in some of these positions so you can be prepared. When I attempted to register an address the council claimed it breached planning, stating it wasn't residential. No evidence was provided. The neighbours kindly confirmed the history of the property and the council tax records went back until their inception, but this wasn't enough. They made me apply for a certificate of lawfulness before they would register the address... I protested but when I did apply they then delayed and rejected it. I then appealed the rejection with the inspectorate and succeeded. They then dragged their feet some more and registered the address begrudgingly. Good service? obviously not. So be prepared that you could come across similar behaviour from Planning or Highways. It went so far as fraud... during the planning appeal the council claimed they had researched the council tax records and that they belonged to another property (which they couldn't identify)... which was obviously not truthful. The inspectorate did see through this fraud but it does show the lengths they are willing to go to to avoid admitting simple errors. The management were involved in this case (Bob Dray) so I would be very surprised if they weren't aware of this deciet. The Highways department (Paul Goddard) also submitted edited documents to the Ombudsman. Again, the lengths gone to to avoid admitting error. And the self righteousness of Paul Goddard in the first instance largely led to the spiralling situation. As mentioned there is no choice when it comes to some council services, so this review is more about being prepared for what can happen when dealing with these particular departments/people.
Sep 29th, 2022

They are pulling their funding to the food banks according to THE CAB. DISGUSTING.
Sep 6th, 2022