The candidates vying for your votes in Park ward for the 2022 Reading Borough Council elections have been announced.
Park is the council’s eastern most ward, covering Palmer Park, Newtown, and the border with Earley.
The entirety of Reading Borough Council is being elected this year, with Park being a three-member ward.
It is currently represented by three Green councillors, all of whom are seeking re-election.
See all the candidates seeking your votes by party below.
Green Party
Rob White
Cllr Rob White has lived in Newtown in Park Ward since 2009.
He has worked in the care sector and as a gardener. In his spare time he enjoys exploring the local area and learning to play the ukulele.
Cllr White was first elected in 2010 and so has 12 years of councillor experience.
He said: “I am proud to represent Park Ward where I live. Over the years we have got much done on everything from a real Living Wage to tackling poverty and combating climate change.
“But the Labour run council continues not to listen to residents and so there is still much more to do. I will keep working hard for Park Ward and holding the Council to account.”
Josh Williams
Cllr Josh Williams has lived in Park Ward for 13 years. Josh is involved with community groups ranging from gardening to road safety. In their spare time Josh enjoys spending time with their young family in Palmer Park come rain or shine.
Cllr Williams was first elected in 2014 and has eight years of councillor experience.
He said: “It is an honour to represent where I live. Recently I have been working to improve road safety on Crescent Road with the School Streets initiative.
“I will keep working hard and making sure we have a voice on the Council.”
Brenda McGonigle
Cllr Brenda McGonigle has lived in Park Ward for 19 years. Brenda has worked as a hairdresser and in customer services. In Brenda’s spare time they enjoy gardening, games and a bit of DIY.
Cllr McGonigle was first elected in 2016 and so has six years of councillor experience.
She said: “I love Park Ward where I live. You will often find me working to pick litter, report fly tipping and tidy up the area.
“I will keep working hard and standing up for Park Ward.”
Labour
Sheldon Allen
Sheldon Allen has lived in Reading since the start of his undergraduate degree at the university.
Mr Allen said: I’ve enjoyed my time in the town and have got stuck into life here. Throughout my time, I have engaged with our communities in Reading and sought to give back where I can.
“As a newly elected councillor, I would be able to deliver on local priorities and ensure that younger people’s voices are heard in decision making. I think it’s vital that Reading Council not only works for the town but looks like the town it represents!
“I’m Labour because I share in its values of fairness and that no communities should be left behind. Labour is the best option for Reading so that it can continue to deliver on your priorities from more council housing to investment in our leisure centres and green spaces.”
Andy Gilpin
Andy Gilpin has lived in Reading since studying at the university in the 1990s.
He currently works in hospitality and lives in in East Reading.
Mr Gilpin said: “I believe strongly in fairness and social justice and that is why I am standing for the Labour Party. I love this town and am keen to ensure the benefits of living here are shared fairly, in line with these values.
“I have previously worked with local charities, striving to improve work and education opportunities for local residents and advocating for secure housing for all. I am keen to work for these same priorities in Park Ward and across Reading.
“If elected, I will be a strong advocate for my community and will ensure that the council continues to work for all residents, delivering the services they deserve and building a fairer, sustainable future for our town.”
Oliver Williamson
Oliver Williamson has lived in Reading for over a decade and works as a technical consultant based at the university.
Mr Williamson said: “Over the last few years, I have been an active campaigner for workers’ rights, renters’ rights, and making life better for ordinary people.
“As a councillor, I will stand up for Park Ward, and ensure that it has the representation it deserves. I believe in a fairer, greener, cleaner future for Reading, and I will work to make it happen. That means securing housing that is both liveable and affordable, taking action to create a carbon neutral Reading, and keeping our vital public services running at the highest standard.
“I believe that Reading Labour has a strong and clear vision for making Reading the best it can be. We have gone from success to success, and I will make sure we continue to build on this. We need elected representatives that don’t just point out problems, but that work to create solutions. Elect me and I will be that voice for Park Ward.”
Conservatives
Niki Haywood
Niki has lived in Reading for six years and works in the music sector.
She said: “As a mixed race woman with family who were coal miners, I understand the importance of aspiration.
“I value common sense policies, minimal taxation and the elimination of wasteful spending.
“It would be a great honour to represent the people of Park ward and I would work hard to make it an even better place for residents to live, work and raise a family.”
She has recently advocated for parking restrictions at The Mount, arguing the current restrictions are too lax.
Nathan O’Brien
Nathan has lived in Reading for four years and works in IT. He will be a champion for Park Ward and says: “Park Ward is such a great place to live, but it could be even better. A Conservative-run Reading Borough Council will mean better local services that will work for everyone; a council that will listen to all of its residents and one that will spend your money wisely.
“Labour’s tired administration, if re-elected, will only mean even higher Council Tax bills, more poorly-run finances and the views of local people, particularly over planning applications, being ignored.”
Sagar Patel
Sagar Patel is a qualified pharmacist who works in Tilehurst and Slough and he lives in Woodley.
He wants to see Park Ward’s wonderful open and green spaces protected, along with greater investment in transport and infrastructure to reduce our town’s dreadful road congestion and more funding going towards tackling potholes.
Mr Patel said: “A Conservative-run Reading Borough Council will mean better local services that will work for all of our residents; a council that will listen and one that will spend your money wisely. Labour’s tired administration, if re-elected, will only mean even higher Council Tax bills, more poorly-run finances and the views of local people, particularly over planning applications, being ignored.”
Liberal Democrats
Chris Dodson
Chris Dodson is a retired chartered accountant and international businessman.
He is passionate about creating a clean environment as well as a fair, equal and just society for all those living in Reading.
His special interest is in fair representation where every voice will be heard and counted.
If elected, his priorities are getting a fair deal for Park Ward residents and services, building the affordable housing we need, where we need it, and protecting our green spaces and woodlands from further development.
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