The 2026 Reading Borough Council election was held on 7 May 2026, alongside the other local elections across the United Kingdom being held on the same day, to elect 17 of 48 members of Reading Borough Council.
Of these, 16 seats are part of the regular election cycle, in which one-third of the council is elected in three out of every four years. The other seat contested was a vacancy in Caversham Heights, following the decision of councillor Sam Juthani to step down.
At 41.2%, turnout was the highest outside of a general election since the 1991 Reading Borough Council election. The Labour Party maintained an overall majority, continuing its rule of the council since 1986 (with the exception of 2010-2011). The Green Party gained its best-ever result, enlarging its group to double digits and defeating 3 Labour lead councillors. The Liberal Democrats retained their control of Tilehurst ward but failed to make inroads elsewhere. Despite its impressive performance nationally, Reform UK failed to have a breakthrough, losing its lone seat, which it had gained through a Conservative defection.
Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats 32 31 8 8 4 3 3 3 0 1 1 1 Vacant N/A Vacant1 Changes 2024–2026: January 2026: Clarence Mitchell (Conservative) defects to Reform March 2026: Sam Juthani (Labour) resigns – seat left vacant until 2026 election
Summary
Background In 2024, Labour retained control of the council.
Election result
Incumbents
Ward Incumbent councillorParty Re-standing Abbey Karen Rowland Labour Yes Battle Sarah Hacker Independent No Caversham Jacopo Lanzoni Labour Yes Caversham Heights Isobel Ballsdon Conservative Yes Sam Juthani Labour No Church Ruth McEwan Labour Yes Coley Ellie Emberson Labour Yes Emmer Green Clarence Mitchell Reform Yes Katesgrove Louise Keane Green Yes Kentwood Glenn Dennis Labour Yes Norcot Jo Lovelock Labour No Park Rob White Green Yes Redlands Kathryn McCann Green Yes Southcote Deborah Edwards Labour No Thames Adele Barnett-Ward Labour Yes Tilehurst Meri O'Connell Liberal Democrats Yes Whitley Rachel Eden Labour Yes
Ward results Votes were counted overnight and the results published on the council's website on 8 May.
Abbey
Battle
Caversham
Caversham Heights
Isobel Ballsdon was re-elected to the ward's regular seat. The second seat was vacant following the resignation of Labour councillor Sam Juthani, and was won by Saadia Saadat.
Church
Coley
Emmer Green
Katesgrove
Kentwood
Norcot
Park
Redlands
Southcote
Thames
Tilehurst
Whitley
Notes
References