The Berkshire Prosperity Board met to discuss several key initiatives, including the disbanding of the Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Group, updates from the Berkshire Business Board, and progress on various workstreams such as social housing, health and equalities, sector development, employment and skills, strategic infrastructure, and net zero. The board also received spotlight reports on the Get Britain Working plan in Slough and the Berkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership.

Disbanding the Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Group

The board considered the future of the Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Group (DIG). It was recommended that the DIG be disbanded because its original purpose of delivering superfast broadband has largely been taken over by the central government's Project Gigabit programme¹. The board agreed to:

• Disband the Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Group.
• West Berkshire Council to serve six months' notice on Spirit to terminate their contract.
• West Berkshire Council to undertake a standalone consultation with the three DIG staff to delete the roles.
• Transfer the balance of the DIG budget to Wokingham Borough Council, the accountable body, to support the Berkshire Prosperity Board's activities.
• The accountable body will administer and collect future funding from the profit share agreement to further support the activity of the Berkshire Prosperity Board.

According to the Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Group report, the DIG was formed in 2020 following the Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Vision and Strategy. The DIG's programme team has worked with delivery partners, suppliers, government agencies, local authorities and the former Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to ensure the delivery of projects including:

• Superfast Broadband (2012-2022)
• Full Fibre for Schools (2021-2025)
• Winter Gritting IOT LoRaWAN (2021-2025)
• Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Accelerator Pilot
• Intelligent Traffic Management Fund (ITMF) 2024

The report notes that there is circa £690k within the DIG budget.

Berkshire Business Board Update

Jim Reay provided an update on the Berkshire Business Board (BBB). He stated that the BBB continues to see the need for an actionable economic strategy in Berkshire, and that while many would welcome being part of a strategic authority, the focus must be on how to promote growth in Berkshire.

The BBB was scheduled to meet on 6 October with representatives from seven strategic industry sectors, the six unit authorities, higher and further education, the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce (TVCC), and the Business and Skills hub to discuss how business, academia, and local government can come together to identify impactful and transformational opportunities for economic growth.

Workstream Updates

Andrew Hunter provided an update on the latest budget position and progress against the workstreams, as detailed in the Workstreams September 2025 highlight report. The key highlights from each workstream are:

• Social, accessible affordable housing: A letter has been sent to the Chief Executive of Homes England from Councillor Stephen Conway, Wokingham Borough Council, and Susan Parsonage on behalf of the Berkshire Prosperity Board seeking a high-level meeting. An initial meeting has taken place, and further meetings are planned. Work is also starting on a commission to create a data position across Berkshire, and a better understanding of specialist provision opportunities.
• Health and Equalities: Working with the employment and skills workstream to support the development of the Connect to Work plan and invitation to tender for a provider. A working group will be established to include public health representatives from all Berkshire local authorities.
• Sector Development: A business survey carried out by the Berkshire Economic Development Officer Group (BEDOG) is remaining open until mid-September due to low response rates. The enhanced role of BEDOG is under development, with initial plans to Place Directors in early September.
• Employment and Skills: The Delivery Plan for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Connect to Work Programme has been submitted to the DWP following extensive review by DWP subject matter experts and is awaiting approval. The Accountable Body (AB) role for Get Berkshire Working (GBW) will transfer from Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) to Slough Borough Council (SBC).
• Strategic Infrastructure: An ongoing review of strategic projects is underway.
• Net Zero: A date has been agreed for the first Berkshire-wide Carbon Literacy session to be held on 15 October. The Local Nature Recovery Strategy has gone through pre-publication consultation with all local authorities in Berkshire along with Natural England. Initial discussions have been held on delivery with options to expand the scope out to include nature and net zero along with the Berkshire Local Nature Partnership.

Theme Updates Spotlight

Get Britain Working (Slough)

Sally Anne-Bone provided a Get Britain Working (GBW) Plan Update. The Get Britain Working (GBW) is part of an overarching government policy aimed at achieving 80% employment across the country. The original deadline for publication was July 2025, but a revised publication target of October has been formally indicated. It has been agreed that the Accountable Body (AB) role for GBW will transfer from Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) to Slough Borough Council (SBC).

Local Visitor Economy Partnership (RBWM)

Chris Joyce provided an update on the Berkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP). The Berkshire's Framework for Visitor Economy Development sets out the overarching objectives, but once the LVEP Management Board and Advisory Board are in place they will identify the LVEP priorities for the next year. The framework and LVEP information is now live on the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead website.