Reading Borough Council
Reading Borough Council is a unitary local government authority serving Reading, Berkshire, providing statutory public services including waste, housing, parking, adult social care, and public health to borough residents and businesses through digital portals and civic offices.
- Company typePublic
- Founded-
- HeadquartersReading, United Kingdom
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Reading Borough Council does
Reading Borough Council is a unitary local government authority serving the residents and businesses of Reading, Berkshire, England. It delivers a wide portfolio of statutory public services including waste and recycling, council tax administration, housing, parking regulation, adult social care, public health, planning and building control, benefits administration, and community wellbeing. The council operates from its Civic Office on Bridge Street, Reading, and reaches residents through a digital-first online portal (reading.gov.uk), in-person walk-in services, and an email newsletter subscription, supplemented by social media presence across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
The council's most technology-forward offerings are its Digital Parking Permit System, which identifies electronic permits by scanning vehicle registration number plates (eliminating physical permit display and preventing copying or theft), and its Technology Enabled Care (TEC) service, which uses motion sensors to learn residents' daily routines and detect subtle behavioural changes that may signal health concerns, enabling vulnerable residents — including those with dementia — to live independently at home longer. Additional digital products include the AskSARA self-assessment tool for assistive equipment advice and a Connect to Work employment support programme (delivered in partnership with Palladium) for residents with health conditions or employment barriers.
The council's revenue is generated primarily through council tax (tied to property values), central government grants, and service fees including emissions-based parking permits (resident permits from £48, business permits at £331, tradesperson permits at £8 daily or £398 annually). It collaborates cross-boundary with Bracknell Forest, Wokingham and other Berkshire authorities through partnerships such as the re3 Partnership (waste management with FCC Environment), the Connect to Work programme, and the Independent Living TEC project with the University of Reading. As a publicly funded entity under UK municipal governance, the council is accountable to local residents through democratic processes and operates without private ownership.
Reading Borough Council firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Reading Borough Council
- Legal name
- Reading Borough Council
- Website
- https://reading.gov.uk
- Company type
- Public
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Reading Borough Council is a unitary local government authority serving Reading, Berkshire, providing statutory public services including waste, housing, parking, adult social care, and public health to borough residents and businesses through digital portals and civic offices.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Reading Borough Council industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Local Government Public Services
- NAICS
- Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Administration of Housing Programs (92511), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mayor/City Manager & General Administration (BPAIACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ), Municipal Tax & Revenue Administration (Local) (BPAIACAD), Public Works / In-House Municipal Collection Operations (EUAIAAAF)
Keywords
Where Reading Borough Council is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Reading
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Reading Borough Council business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Council Tax: Primary local authority funding from residents based on property values
- Parking Permits: Emissions-based charging for resident, business, and visitor parking permits. First resident permit from £48, second from £180, with surcharges for higher CO2 emitting vehicles.
- Business and Tradesperson Permits: Annual business permits at £331, tradesperson permits at £398 annually or £8 daily, landlord permits at £398 annually or £8 daily
- Community and Healthcare Permits: Free carer permits, first charity permit free then £145, healthcare professional and medical practitioner permits from £48
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Resident First Permit - £48 standard |
| Subscription | Annual | Resident Second Permit - £180 standard |
| Freemium | Annual | Visitor Permits - Free first 2 packs, £26 each additional |
| Subscription | Annual | Business Permit - £331 standard |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tradesperson Daily Permit - £8 |
| Subscription | Annual | Charity Permits - First free, then £145 |
| Subscription | Annual | Carer Permits - Free |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Reading Borough Council product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Reading Borough Council is a unitary local government authority delivering statutory public services to residents of Reading, UK, including waste and recycling collection, council tax administration, housing, parking permits (digital visitor, resident, business and tradesperson permits), adult social care, Technology Enabled Care, employment support programmes, planning, and community services. Funded primarily through council tax, central government grants, and service fees such as emissions-based parking permits.
Product overview
Reading Borough Council operates as a local government authority offering a portfolio of digital and service-based products. The primary digital products include a digital parking permit system (with resident, visitor, business, and specialist permit types) managed through an external online portal, and a Technology Enabled Care (TEC) system that uses sensors to monitor residents' patterns of daily living for health and independence support. Additional services include employment support programmes (Connect to Work and Get Berkshire Working), an AskSARA assessment tool for assistive equipment advice, advocacy services commissioned from The Advocacy People, and public health initiatives including a toothbrushing programme for children. The council also participates in the re3read book reuse scheme. The digital parking permits and TEC services represent the most technology-forward offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Digital Parking Permit System Electronic parking permits identified by scanning vehicle registration numbers. Residents apply and manage permits online through the reading-app.zatpermit.com portal. Permits cannot be copied, altered, lost or stolen. Emissions-based pricing applied.
- Digital Visitor Parking Permits Digital packs replacing physical scratchcard visitor permits. Each pack provides 120 parking credits (one-hour sessions) for resident visitors. First 2 packs free per household annually; up to 5 additional packs available at £26 each.
- Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Sensors and monitoring systems that learn residents' patterns of daily living to detect changes in behaviour that may indicate health concerns (e.g. illness, dehydration). Enables vulnerable residents, including those with dementia, to live independently at home longer. Contactable at [email protected].
- Independent Living TEC Project Research initiative conducted with the University of Reading over 18 months. Uses motion sensors to monitor 'pattern of life' data for vulnerable residents, including those with dementia. Worked with 130+ service users and supported sheltered housing residents to remain in the community.
- Connect to Work Voluntary employment support programme for people with health conditions, disabilities, or barriers to work. Provides up to 12 months of personalised one-to-one support. Aims to help approximately 2,300 people over 5 years across Berkshire, delivered by specialist provider Palladium.
- Get Berkshire Working Regional employment strategy aligning with UK Government goals to reach 80% employment rate. Focuses on inclusive growth and supporting residents into sustainable jobs across Berkshire.
- AskSARA Online assessment tool providing personalised advice about equipment for health, assistive technology and daily living ideas. Available via the council's adult social care section.
- Advocacy Services Commissioned advocacy services delivered by The Advocacy People since 2019. Includes Independent Mental Health Advocacy, Care Act Advocacy, NHS complaints advocacy, Social Care complaints advocacy, and Independent Mental Capacity Act advocacy.
- Supervised Toothbrushing Programme Free supervised toothbrushing programme for 1,800 children across 44 nurseries and schools in Reading, addressing child tooth decay rates above national average. Funded by government and Reading Borough Council's Public Health Grant, delivered with Community Dental Services CIC.
- re3read Book Reuse Scheme Waste management book reuse initiative redistributing second-hand books to over 60 local organisations including schools, nurseries, care homes and community groups across Bracknell, Reading and Wokingham boroughs.
- Council Tax Administration Statutory council tax collection and administration service for Reading Borough residents. Council Tax is the primary local authority funding from residents based on property values. Includes online payment, change of circumstances notification, and account management.
- Waste and Recycling Collection Statutory kerbside waste and recycling collection service for Reading Borough residents, including bin calendar lookup, missed bin reporting, and recycling guidance. Operated as part of the re3 Partnership with Bracknell Forest, Wokingham Borough Councils and FCC Environment.
Quantifiable outcome
- Supported sheltered housing dementia resident to remain in community
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Reading Borough Council
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Reading Borough Council technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Reading Borough Council partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- PalladiumcoreSpecialist provider delivering Connect to Work employment support programme in Berkshire, helping approximately 2,300 people over 5 years.
- re3 Partnership (Bracknell Forest, Wokingham Borough Councils and FCC Environment)coreWaste management collaboration between Reading, Bracknell Forest, Wokingham Borough Councils and FCC Environment. Includes re3read book reuse scheme that redistributed 18,000+ books to 60+ local organisations in first year.
- The Advocacy PeoplecoreCommissioned advocacy services since 2019 including Independent Mental Health Advocacy, Care Act Advocacy, NHS complaints advocacy, Social Care complaints advocacy, and Independent Mental Capacity Act advocacy.
- University of ReadingcoreCollaboration on Independent Living TEC project over 18 months to understand how technology helps people live independently at home. Sensors trial to learn 'pattern of life' for early detection of health issues.
- Six Berkshire Unitary Authorities (Bracknell Forest, Reading, RBWM, Slough, West Berkshire, Wokingham)coreCollaborating councils awarded government grant funding for Connect to Work programme targeting people with barriers to employment across Berkshire.
- Reading & West Berkshire Carers Partnership (Age UK Berkshire, Age UK Reading, CommuniCare, Reading Mencap)coreCommissioned carers provider offering range of support services including Carers Assessments, information, advice and support for family carers in Reading and West Berkshire.
- Community Dental Services CICminorImplementation partner for free supervised toothbrushing programme for 1,800 children across 44 nurseries and schools, addressing child tooth decay rates above national average.
- Department of Health and Social CarecoreResearch report on Independent Living TEC project findings being presented to Department of Health and Social Care for policy consideration.
- Brighter Futures for ChildrencoreSupports Parent Carer's Needs Assessments and young carers (children under 18 with extra responsibilities due to disabled sibling or parent). Operates young carer groups for ages 6-9, 5-11, and 13-18.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Reading Borough Council competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Southampton City Council: Larger unitary city authority on the South Coast with a comparable service mix including digital parking permits, TEC, employment support programmes, and adult social care commissioning.
- Oxford City Council: Larger Thames Valley unitary-style authority serving an urban centre. Comparable digital service innovation programmes (parking, TEC, council tax) and similar high-density urban resident profile.
- Milton Keynes Council: Larger unitary authority in the South East with comparable digital-first service ambition (digital permits, smart city initiatives) and a similar growth-area demographic profile to Reading.
Direct peers
- Bracknell Forest Council: Berkshire unitary authority co-partnering with Reading in re3 and Connect to Work. Comparable scale and statutory responsibilities, including parking permits, council tax, and adult social care.
- West Berkshire Council: Neighbouring unitary authority in Berkshire sharing the Connect to Work and re3 partnerships. Operates identical statutory service portfolio (waste, parking, adult social care, council tax) for a similar demographic profile.
- Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead: Sixth Berkshire unitary authority in the Connect to Work consortium. Operates the same statutory service catalogue as Reading across a comparable affluent commuter-belt demographic.
- Slough Borough Council: Fifth Berkshire unitary authority, Connect to Work partner. Similar unitary authority structure with overlapping statutory obligations and similar urban demographic profile to Reading.
- Wokingham Borough Council: Direct Berkshire unitary peer, partner in both the re3 waste partnership and Connect to Work consortium. Comparable resident population (~170,000) and service mix.
Regional players
- Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council: Adjacent Hampshire/Berkshire-border district council facing potential reorganisation under the same devolution agenda. Operates equivalent statutory services for a more rural/suburban demographic.
- Wycombe District Council: Neighbouring Buckinghamshire district council operating the same statutory services within a 30-mile radius. Comparable affluent commuter demographic and similar pressure on local government reorganisation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Reading Borough Council social profiles
Digital presenceReading Borough Council financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Reading Borough Council leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Reading Borough Council funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Reading Borough Council M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Reading Borough Council
What does Reading Borough Council do?
Reading Borough Council is a unitary local government authority delivering statutory public services to residents of Reading, UK, including waste and recycling collection, council tax administration, housing, parking permits (digital visitor, resident, business and tradesperson permits), adult social care, Technology Enabled Care, employment support programmes, planning, and community services. Funded primarily through council tax, central government grants, and service fees such as emissions-based parking permits.
Is Reading Borough Council a public or private company?
Reading Borough Council is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Reading Borough Council founded?
Reading Borough Council was founded in -1. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Reading Borough Council based?
Reading Borough Council is headquartered in Reading, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Reading Borough Council make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Council Tax is the primary driver. The others are parking Permits, business and Tradesperson Permits and community and Healthcare Permits.
Who are Reading Borough Council's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Southampton City Council, Oxford City Council and Milton Keynes Council. Direct peers are Bracknell Forest Council, West Berkshire Council, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Slough Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council. Regional players are Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Wycombe District Council.
Does Reading Borough Council have an API?
No public API is recorded for Reading Borough Council.
What industry is Reading Borough Council in?
Reading Borough Council's product category is Local Government Public Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAA, Mayor/City Manager & General Administration, with a secondary code of BPAIACAJ, Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs). Its NAICS code is 9251.