Public consultations were held including on the climate change strategy, Bracknell town centre masterplans supplementary planning document, local transport plan, community safety plan and the draft council budget, with high levels of engagement.
Quarter 4 brought a strong close to the first 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.
Engaged and healthy communities
Further construction work at Sandhurst Secondary school has been completed, providing an additional 25 Specialist Resourced Provision places.
Council maintained schools delivering high standards, with 100% rated good or better by Ofsted.
The Virtual School’s learning hub for Children Looked After (CLA) opened in January 2025, providing vital education and care leaver support.
Adult Social Care received a ‘good’ inspection rating from the Care Quality Commission, recognising the services and relationships in place to provide social care for adults across the borough.
Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) backlog cleared by the Statutory SEND Team in autumn 2024, maintaining a zero backlog into spring 2025 with 100% timeliness.
Early Years funded over 3,200 placements, almost double compared to last year.
Funding secured for phase 2 of the South East Fostering Hub to enable more foster carers to be recruited across the region.
‘Approaching Adulthood’ guide for SEND young people over 14 years was co-produced, outlining pathways into employment, training, good health and independent living, plus second drop-in event held for young people to find out more about the options and support available to them after leaving school.
Young people accessing youth clubs, specialist groups and other activities increased by 49% and Braccan Walk Youth Hub launched under delivery of the Youth Strategy 2024 to 2027.
£1.6 million refurbishment of Bracknell Leisure Centre completed including new spin studio and the 'Play World' soft play area.
Binfield Health and Community Centre officially opened in October. The Bucklers Park community hub in Crowthorne has also opened by Age Concern Bracknell Forest.
Over 10,400 visits to the Community Asset map during the year. Further developments planned for 2025 to 2026 to improve local insight and partnership working.
Housing Supplementary Planning Document approved, to guide the implementation of housing-related policies within the Bracknell Forest Local Plan (2024).
The Community Safety Plan for 2024 to 2027 approved by the council’s Cabinet.
Three Safer Routes to Schools schemes delivered during the year including providing a zebra crossing on Birch Hill Road and a Puffin Crossing on Broad Lane.
All properties at the Coopers Hill site, developed by the Joint Venture (JV) Bracknell Forest Cambium Partnership sold. Almost a half of the open market properties were purchased by local people residing in the RG12 postcode area.
‘Stronger Together’ communities conference launched the partnership development of a new Communities Strategy.
The arts, culture and heritage framework approved in quarter 4 with aim to develop and strengthen the borough’s cultural activities and facilities working with our partners.
Bracknell Forest Council awarded the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, Silver Award.
Programme of varied community events successfully delivered including a culture and community day which celebrated the 75th anniversary of Bracknell as a ‘new town’, plus Bracknell Forest Pride and Christmas events.
The Healthy Workplace Accreditation Programme launched to support local businesses and their employees, with 6 businesses signing up in first year.
Residents’ magazine redesigned with a new look, improved content and new name. 700 residents voted and ‘Your Bracknell Forest’ will be published annually and printed locally.
Wide ranging, proactive support for local Muslim, Black and Asian communities was offered during period of national civil unrest and continues through partnership working.
Partners and colleagues from 20 local authorities across the area came together to celebrate the start of a new venture, Local Authority Fostering South East. The aim is to increase the number of foster carers in the region (July 2024).
The first residents have received their keys for their new affordable and energy-efficient homes at Coopers Hill (August 2024).
The new Binfield Health and Community Centre reached a key milestone on Monday 21 October, with a ribbon cutting celebration to mark its official opening (October 2024).
Age Concern Bracknell Forest has formally taken over management of Buckler's Park Community Hub, after completion of the lease (December 2024).
Thriving and connected economy
Council adopted the Economic Strategy and Town Centre Masterplans, both focussed on creating the conditions for a strong economy and the continued regeneration of Bracknell Town Centre.
The Bracknell Forest Skills Hub launched, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Over 50 local business, training providers and partners attended.
The Berkshire Prosperity Board met for the first time in spring to enhance joint working including the development of a Berkshire Economic Strategy which was completed in quarter 3.
Inaugural meeting of the Bracknell Forest Economic Partnership took place in quarter 3, with co-chairs elected from the local education and commercial business sector. A second meeting took place in January to focus on priorities of business space, promotion and small business support.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) completed its 3-year programme, including supporting the Skills Hub, The Ark Community Transport Scheme, Town Ambassador Pilot, Craft COOP Retail Outlet and Cultural Programme, including development of the borough vision and communities strategy.
The ballot for Bracknell Business Improvement District (BID) renewal saw 85% voting in favour, securing the future delivery of value-added services to local businesses.
One of few local authorities to achieve Responsible Body status, allowing approval of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Schemes.
Successful programme of Christmas events at the Lexicon, supported by free bus travel offer, increasing visitors into the town.
The council supported various school-based careers events promoting opportunities at the council, plus it hosted a ‘business insight day’ for year 10 students.
Following public feedback and subsequent changes, the town centre masterplans were approved (October 2024).
Bracknell Forest residents were invited to feedback on the new Local Transport Plan, which will guide transport improvements across the borough until 2037 (November 2024).
Green and sustainable environment
Public consultation on council’s Climate Change Strategy launched following community engagement and feedback. The strategy and delivery plan are ready for council endorsement in early 2025 to 2026.
The Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan developed with partners, tested through public consultation and approved by Council.
The second year of the 4 Solar Together group buying scheme enabled more than 80 households to benefit from solar panel and battery storage installations. The council intends to re-join the scheme in 2025.
The second annual Bracknell Forest Council climate change summit took place in July with over 150 representatives from across the borough coming together to start the development of a community climate change strategy. Climate change summits were also facilitated for primary and secondary schools, engaging 20 schools and almost 100 pupils.
Several successful cycling campaigns during the year with over 1,200 pupils engaged in Bikeability training and adults completing nearly 2,000 trips as part of Winter Wheelers.
Over 7,700 young native trees planted in local greenspaces to promote woodland regeneration, boost biodiversity and tackle climate change.
In total nearly 380,500 bus journeys were made during year across the Thames Valley Buses supported network.
Over 28 hectares of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) and Open Space of Public Value (OSPV) secured during year - exceeding forecast.
Number of publicly available electric vehicle charge points exceeded target at 114 per 100,000 Bracknell residents.
Seven highways vehicles and internal combustion engine powered plant converted to electric. The conversion programme continues into 2025 to 2026.
Recycling Collection Day successful. 2,270kg of small electricals were collected, with 530kg potentially suitable for reuse. Clothing was also collected for reuse and recycling at the event.
Library services successfully trialled the loan of thermal imaging cameras at Crowthorne Library and is now working with the climate change team to extend this to other libraries.
Over 80 primary and secondary school students from across Bracknell Forest came together to address climate change action (July 2024).
Council staff and volunteers have planted hundreds of trees at South Hill Park to give biodiversity a boost (March 2025).
Ambitious, resilient and sustainable organisation
Latest indications are that the potential overspend reported in the early part of the year has been reversed and a modest underspend is now expected, the level of which will be confirmed after the financial accounts closedown work is completed.
Record amount of income from Section 106 (s106) agreements and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) receipts, totalling over £19 million for the financial year. Priorities for delivering infrastructure funded by CIL and s106 contributions are outlined in the Infrastructure List.
Achieved over £2.5 million in reduced agency spend by end of year one against the £1 million target, delivered through the work to improve staff permanency.
Following public consultation, where more than 130 people gave their feedback, the 2025 to 2026 budget for Bracknell Forest Council was agreed. £105.59 million has been allocated to every day and frontline services and £14.3 million on large-scale improvement projects.
The Bracknell Forest depot project was completed providing new and refurbished facilities for the borough’s maintenance teams.
The Police and Crime Commissioner election was successfully delivered followed by the UK General Election for Bracknell constituency, plus support for Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
New complaints system now live, providing a clearer and more effective process for residents logging a case with the council.