Council plan overview report Quarter 4 highlights 2025 to 2026

Published: 1 July 2026

Quarter 4 brought a strong close to the third year of the 2023 to 2027 Council Plan delivery. Below are some of the most significant achievements across the organisation over the last 12 months.

Further detail on actions, together with commentary on progress and outline any delivery issues and risks is provided under corporate performance on our strategic themes.

Further detail and the reasons for the status and information on the performance indicators and contextual indicators for each of the priorities in the Council Plan is provided under quarterly updates on key performance indicators.

Engaged and healthy communities 

Cabinet approved the submission of the Stronger Together Communities Strategy for endorsement by the Council. 

The Communities Partnership has led the development of the strategy aiming for stronger, connected and more resilient communities in the borough. The council is only 1 of over 20 organisations which worked to capture the views of residents and people learning or working in the borough about their vision for Bracknell Forest communities for the next 10 years.

The group achieved record levels of engagement, capturing over 3,300 views. It used a co-production approach to make sure they were accurately reflected in the vision, aims and objectives of the strategy.

Organisations are endorsing the strategy and  the delivery of the action plan is already underway.

Bracknell Forest was reported as 4th best performing local authority area in the new Better Lives Index - a national framework assessing how well local areas across the UK support people to live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Recently published Indices of Deprivation show that Bracknell Forest is in the 10% least deprived areas in England. Bracknell Forest performs exceptionally well for Living Environment, ranking in the top 1% of local authorities.

New specialist provision opened at Edgbarrow (5 places) and Hawthorn Academy (12 places) for Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH), increasing local capacity for children with additional needs.

Work has started on a new SEMH school in All Saints Rise to create the Hawthorn Academy. This provides an additional 50 school places for 11 to 16-year-olds.

Larchwood, Bracknell Forest Council’s short breaks children’s home, was rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, noting an exceptionally high-quality experience in a home where children are consistently nurtured and well cared for.

An Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) inspection rated Bracknell’s Children’s Services ‘outstanding’. It highlighted the sustained and strengthened quality of services and noted the exceptional support provided to children and families.

The Department for Education (DfE) has accepted the request to fund a new autism school, representing the most significant SEND capital project in the borough for over a decade.

During the quarter, the DfE confirmed it will progress delivery of the new autism free school, Forest View, at Buckler’s Park, representing a significant milestone in increasing local specialist provision.

Satisfaction of carers with social care support has increased to 48% from 45% since the last result in 2023 to 2024 and is above the target set in the service plan.

There has been a consistent and steady improvement in satisfaction of carers with social care support over the past 5 years.

Bridgewell scheme was completed, providing supported accommodation for adults with learning disabilities.

Residents started to move into their new homes from October 2025 and 4 of the 6 homes are now occupied.

Over 1,000 young people participated in universal youth work during the year, exceeding targets and broadening inclusion with targeted engagement among vulnerable groups. This supported the delivery of the second year of Youth Strategy action plan.

Various events and activities were delivered to support carers and promote the Carers Rights Day in November. 

All secondary schools were visited to strengthen engagement with young carers.

Eight new childcare settings opened during the year, offering flexible and traditional provision and an additional 350 places.  

During the Spring term, 3,226 children were in receipt of funded places.

Further settings are still in progress with the aim of creating another 350 full time places in 2026 to 2027. 

96% of Reception and 92% of year 6 pupils were screened through the 2025 to 2026 National Child Measurement Programme. Contact at 12 months and 2 years has met or exceeded target under the Healthy Child Programme.

The delivery of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) Plan is now into its second year with progress against all priorities well underway. Progress is being monitored quarterly by the CSP's Performance Group. 

A major milestone was reached in the creation of new affordable and social rent homes in Bracknell town centre in 2025. A ‘topping out’ ceremony at the new Market Street development transformed a derelict wasteland into 169 new homes, 81 to be designated as either affordable, social rent or shared ownership.

The ‘Thriving Communities’ partnership programme expanded to 2 additional communities: Priestwood and Garth and Easthampstead and Wildridings. This enables and empowers residents to improve their health and wellbeing.

Bracknell’s Equality Objectives were finalised following public consultation and stakeholder engagement, set out in the ‘All of Us’ Equality Scheme for 2025 to 2029 approved by Cabinet in July.

There were nearly 1.5 million visits to Everyone Active leisure facilities during 2025 to 2026, exceeding targets and 2024 to 2025 results.

High participation was recorded from groups including children and young people, older people and those with a disability.

Nearly 600 volunteers were registered with Involve for the volunteering pool at the end of the year, significantly higher than target.

There were over 410,000 visits to Bracknell Forest libraries during the year, supported by a wide range of activities including the Summer Reading Challenge, Christmas activities and the ‘Our Freedom Then and Now’ project, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Various resident consultations conducted to ensure council services meet local need, including: 

  • the new exploitation strategy
  • the all-age integrated autism strategy
  • the 2026 to 2027 council budget
  • the 0 to 25 Learning Improvement Strategy 2026 to 2031
  • Domestic Abuse Strategy 2025 to 2028
  • Partnership Stronger Together Communities Strategy
  • Warfield Community Hub
  • planning guidance
  • parking standards

Numerous community events were supported, including: 

  • Bracknell Half Marathon
  • VE Day
  • Pride
  • Cycle Festival
  • World Cafés
  • Bracknell Forest Culture and Community Day
  • Armed Forces Day
  • 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day
  • White Ribbon Day, raising awareness of violence towards women and girls
  • Christmas activities
  • various other community cohesion activities

Over 87,000 visits4 were recorded at the Look Out during the year, above target and better than last year.

The revamped fort in the junior play area was opened in quarter 4 (March 2026). It is designed to support active and imaginative play and helps children to build confidence and physical skills.

News item: Fresh new play fort for The Look Out

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    General admission tickets, not including school, toddler and other educational visits

A group of people stand within the new fort at the Look Out, cutting a green ribbon. The fort is a large, wooden construction shaped like a castle.

The Warfield Community Hub secured planning permission during quarter 4, allowing the project to shift into detailed design and preparation for enabling works. The hub will be a multi-functional community facility for all age groups, delivered in partnership with Warfield Parish Council and community.

News item: Planning permission granted for new community hub

Artist's impression of community hub building

Thriving and connected economy

Cabinet approved the Bracknell Forest Vision 2050 plan, a future-focused plan to guide the borough’s growth over the next 25 years. The Vision 2050 plan aims to make sure that Bracknell Forest remains a great place to live and work by focusing on sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.

The Local Transport Plan 4 (2025 to 2037), amended through public consultation, was formally adopted by Council in early July.

The regeneration of Coopers Hill has been completed, creating 52 sustainable new homes, public open space,  new paths and cycle routes on the edge of Bracknell town centre.

Council teams collaborated to deliver a dedicated Work Experience Week for care leavers and strengthening internal pathways into council roles. Eight Young Experts, employed by the council, are supporting engagement with local businesses.

The HR team attended 11 careers events around the borough, and supported young people through mock interview sessions, business insight days and work experience, including events specifically for care experienced young people. 

Apprenticeship starts across the borough year to date are above target and higher than the same time last year, demonstrating increased engagement in vocational, job-related education pathways.

A successful Healthy Workforce programme delivered during 2025 to 2026 engaged with over 25 local businesses across several events, including the Healthy Workplace Awards.

Six new workplaces signed up to the Alliance, including Bracknell Forest Council, who received the Healthy Workplace award. This recognises organisational leadership in workplace wellbeing. An evaluation of the programme is underway.

The New Youth Employment Hub opened at the Open Learning Centre in January 2026, with an official opening in March. Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the hub offers free support to young people aged 18 to 24 who are claiming Universal Credit, to support them in finding work, training or to help them decide their next steps.

News item: New Youth Employment Hub opens in Bracknell Forest

MP Peter Swallow and Cllr. Paul Bidwell stand outside Youth Employment Hub with staff.

Green and sustainable environment 

Bracknell Forest’s 2025 Climate Emergency UK score was published. It is a significant improvement on the previous result and above the single tier local authority average.

The council’s 2025 to 2030 Climate Change Strategy was formally adopted by Council, and good progress has been made against the 2025 to 2026 Climate Change action plan. We have focused on quick wins and enabling work such as planning, research, exploratory work and capacity and relationship-building.

Bracknell Forest schools climate conferences were held, engaging pupils across 20 primary and secondary schools and creating pupil-led action plans.

The Community Climate Action Grant scheme was launched, offering up to £5,000 for organisations looking to initiate or support local climate change projects. Almost 30 applications were received and 9 local community schemes will benefit.

Cycle September 2025 was a success with 15 workplaces registered. 172 cyclists logged a ride and a total of 1,869 trips were recorded. 

Six new secure, pre-bookable cycle lockers were also installed in the town centre during the year. The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, included within the new Local Transport Plan, was adopted in July.

Bikeability training exceeded targets with nearly 1,500 pupils engaged across all levels.

Approximately 500 households registered interest in the 2025 Solar Together scheme for Bracknell Forest residents, using collective bargaining power to access high-quality solar panels, battery storage and installation at competitive prices. The scheme will open for registration in June 2026. 

Two new rapid Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers have been connected at Birch Hill shops, alongside 2 additional fast chargers, creating a mini-hub.

A major tender for 400 residential electric vehicle (EV) charge points has been issued, supported by £50,000 government funding for cross‑pavement charging. EV chargers use in council car parks continues to be popular. January saw the highest number of charging events to date.

Nearly 150,000 Green Travel miles have been recorded during the year through the eco-rewards scheme. This is nearly 150% of target.

The 2024 to 2025 Biodiversity Report, covering local nature and biodiversity work, has been published on the council website. The report meets national requirements and aligns with the council’s Biodiversity Net Gain policy and the Bracknell Biodiversity Action Plan.

Over 9,600 volunteering hours were recorded this year with parks and countryside. This is above target and better than the same time last year.

Over 24 hectares of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace and other Open Space of Public Value were secured during the year, higher than forecast.

Over £5.5 million in Community Infrastructure (CIL) payments were received during 2025 to 2026, 175% of target. This helps to deliver infrastructure to support development across the borough.

Bracknell Forest Community Climate Action (BFCCA) group was supported to deliver 2 summits in 2025. These were held at the Kerith Centre and Wellington College. 

More than 220 people attended the 2 events, an increase from 140 attendees in 2024. Planning is underway with the BFCCA for a 2026 summit in July, with sponsorship from Easthampstead Park.

News item: Bracknell Forest Community Climate Summit 2026

Ambitious, resilient and sustainable organisation 

Recognising the future financial position, significant efforts have continued across the organisation to contain expenditure in the 2025 to 2026 financial year within the approved budget, through reducing expenditure and through service transformation. Latest indications are that the potential overspend reported in the early part of the year has been reversed and an underspend is now expected.

A Corporate Peer Challenge took place in early March 2026 to reflect on the council’s strengths and areas of further development.

Peers highlighted that Bracknell Forest Council:

  • is a well-respected organisation, delivering consistently good services to residents
  • has strong partnerships with visible results
  • plays an important role supporting cross-Berkshire work
  • has engaged and visible members, and dedicated staff doing good work
  • has clear innovation and learning, including transformation work.  

An action plan for areas to further develop has been published on the website.

An Integrated Impact Assessment Tool was launched and used for 2026 to 2027 budget proposals to make sure the needs of all residents were considered fairly.

The final version of the 2025 to 2030 Asset Management Strategy (PDF, 11.9MB) was published. This makes sure that decisions about the council's building and land assets reflect priorities on climate change response, affordable housing delivery, and school accommodation for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosure log was launched, improving transparency and reducing duplicate requests.

Charter+ Accreditation for councillor learning and development was maintained, ensuring councillors are equipped to meet the evolving needs of the community and contribute confidently to the council’s strategic objectives.

The use of low temperature asphalt was increased within the 2025 to 2026 carriageway maintenance programme, alongside the expanded use of Gripfibre and Surface Dressing treatments to extend carriageway lifespan and reduce carbon emissions.

Highways resilience strengthened through completion of a £5.3 million carriageway resurfacing programme, strategic transport model data collection project and streetlight upgrades.

Following a 6-week public consultation in quarter 3, full Council agreed a balanced budget for 2026 to 2027. It has a focus on protecting vital services for residents, as well as investing in our strong communities so they can evolve and provide additional support to people across Bracknell Forest.

News item: Council agrees balanced budget to protect vital services

A green piggy bank sitting on a calculator

The Highways and Transport Capital Programme for 2026 to 2027 was approved by Cabinet, detailing record level of investment of more than £7.7 million to update and improve local roads, pavements, bridges and cycle lanes.

News item: £7 million of highway improvements across Bracknell Forest

two roadwork signs and two traffic cones on the roadside