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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


As we approach the end of the year, we would like to take a moment to thank all our residents for your continued support, kindness, and community spirit throughout 2025.


Christmas is a time for reflection, celebration and generosity. And we are proud of how much that has been displayed across the Royal Borough this year - from neighbours looking out for one another to the many volunteers who give their time to support local initiatives. Your efforts make our borough a wonderful place to live.


On behalf of everyone at the council, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May 2026 bring health, happiness, and new opportunities.


Our next newsletter will be shared on Friday 2 January 2026.

Have your say on the borough's budget proposals for 2026/27


We have launched a consultation on our draft budget for 2026/27. The proposals outline how the council plans to balance financial sustainability with investment in essential services, while facing rising demand and ongoing national funding pressures.


By taking just a few minutes to share your views, you can help ensure the decisions reflect the needs and priorities of people across the borough before the budget is finalised. The consultation runs until midnight on Sunday 1 February 2026. 
Share your views on RBWM Together

Changes to waste collection dates and opening hours over Christmas


We’re reminding residents to check bin and waste collection day changes over the festive period, until Monday 19 January 2026 - via our holiday collection dates webpage


Please put your bin or sack on the kerbside before 7am on collection day and no earlier than the night before. Garden waste collections will run up until and including Wednesday 24 December and resume on Monday 12 January.


Our customer contact centre, libraries and museum will also be operating on different opening hours.
For a full list of changes - visit our webpage

Festive bus service


Special bus services will be operating on the upcoming Bank Holidays, including Christmas Day.

 

For the first time, some bus routes will be running on Christmas Day as well as more frequent services on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's Day this year to help hospitality and essential service workers travel to work, as well as making it easier to visit family and friends in the borough.
Find our more on our website

Pharmacy opening times


The opening hours at your local pharmacy may be different during the festive season, so remember to order and collect your repeat prescriptions in good time. And making sure your medicine cabinet has all the essentials will also save you another trip.
See which pharmacies are open in Berkshire East

Festive travel for free!


All residents and visitors will be able to enjoy one last day of festive travel for free in the Royal Borough. Simply step on board free of charge to travel anywhere in the borough - perfect for family outings, visiting Christmas events or shopping for presents!


The offer will be available on Saturday 20 December. Journeys must be on routes by participating operators (First Bus, Reading Buses, Thames Valley Buses, and Carousel Buses) and journeys must start at a bus stop within the borough. Funded by the UK Government.

Our consultations - have your say


We regularly hold consultations and surveys to seek your views on proposals within the borough: 

Community Spotlight


To see details on community events and volunteering opportunities in the borough visit: RBWM Together - Community Spotlight


Do you have an upcoming not-for-profit community event or appeal for volunteers you’d like us to add to the page? Send a short summary including key dates and a link to communications@rbwm.gov.uk

Local travel updates


For details of further council works on highways, visit our website


For full local roadwork details, including work by utility firms, please visit the One Network website

Keep in touch


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