| West Berkshire Council has been downgraded by the government, and is officially even worse than Reading. Despite record council tax increases, a new chief executive, and a change of political control, the 1500 staff – excluding teachers – has been providing two-star services, instead of four, the Audit Commission said today.
Opposition Liberal Democrats reacted angrily to the news, with party leader Jeff Brooks saying: “When the Liberal Democrats left office this Council and its services were rated good, under Conservative control we have now scored only half marks and received the worst rating in Berkshire; in the South East just two other Councils were rated as low as two stars.”
The move comes after newbury.net revealed a below inflation grant increase from government for next year. The Conservatives have yet to comment on why the council has been downgraded, but the move is likely to introduce more government restrictions on where West Berkshire can and cannot spend our money. | 
