The all-out Reading Borough Council elections are closing in, so here are all the candidates seeking your votes for the Katesgrove ward.
Katesgrove is a south central area, covering Southampton Street, Basingstoke Road and Katesgrove Primary School.
This election, voters will be selecting three councillors to represent them.
All three Katesgrove seats are currently held by Labour.
Incumbent councillor Liam Challenger is defending his seat, whereas cllrs Rose Williams and Sophia James chose to stand down prior to the election.
READ MORE: Parties release their manifestos for Reading 2022
Katesgrove is one of three wards where the Green Party is standing three candidates, the others being Park and Redlands.
See all the candidates seeking your votes by party below.
Labour
Liam Challenger
Liam Challenger said: “Katesgrove is my home, I love representing my home ward and making a difference in it, from small things to huge changes. Like many of my generation, my life was transformed in 1997. Among many things the last Labour Government did was invest in new schools, building state of the art buildings that gave me the best start in life.
“I have helped countless people through following up on their concerns, some simple from arranging new bins to more complex ones such as supporting families from being made homeless. Alongside this, I have campaigned hard to bring in a greener and cleaner ward, which not only has enhanced the look of the ward but also helped tackle anti-social behaviour and problems with parking. And I have actively worked with the Council in tackling the inequality in pay amongst our black staff.
“Outside of my political work, I have been a volunteer at a Foodbank, a trustee of several charities including housing ones, and contributed through a Department for Education group to the first charter defining a set of rights for university students while studying.”
George Matthew
George Matthew said: “I live in Katesgrove and I am asking for your support to be one of your Labour councillors. I want to actively contribute to the development of my neighbourhood and my town.
“I have always been interested in building strong relationships with the local community through organisations such as the Katesgrove Community Association (KCA), which does sterling work in conservation and monthly litter-picking. Given my voluntary community development background I would work hard to represent our multi-ethnic, multi-faith and multi-cultural community as a whole.
“More than ever, with the uncertainty and instability brought upon us by years of austerity, the pandemic and currently the cost-of-living crisis, we now need a local Labour party to tackle the multi-faceted challenges we face.
“Reading is a dynamic and thriving place but has pockets of serious deprivation and deep-rooted inequalities. I believe in the multi-agency approach to Reading’s public services, with the council working with the voluntary community sector to improve the quality of life for many families.
“Only the Labour Party can deliver on local priorities.
“Only Labour makes a difference, which is why I am standing as a Katesgrove ward candidate for the Labour Party.”
Mamuna Naz
Mamuna Naz said: “I have been an active member of the Labour Party for four years.
“I want to become a Labour councillor because I believe passionately in our party’s values of equality, tolerance, community and solidarity. I want to help our current and future labour councillors to contribute to put those values into action in Katesgrove ward and Reading borough as a whole.
“I think as a ward we need to push for a better environment and to take tougher measures against anti-social behaviour. I also feel strongly that we need to fight for better services and facilities for the ward’s youth who make up half of the population of all the residents who live here. I and the other two Labour candidates would lead a strong campaign to fight for these things.
“Katesgrove is a multicultural ward and I am well aware of the issues which the local community is facing, especially litter, fly tipping, green spaces, clean parks, schools, and parking problems in this ward.
“I believe in diversity and equality, and that together we can affect meaningful change in this ward and as a whole in this town.”
Green Party
Louise Keane
Louise Keane has lived in Katesgrove Ward for 19 years. She has worked in health and social care over the last 25 years. In her spare time Louise enjoys music, walking and looking after her pets.
Louise has stood and campaigned in Katesgrove Ward for many years, almost winning in 2021. Louise said: “I love Katesgrove Ward where I live.
“Recently I have been working to tackle fly-tipping, litter and waste problems. I will keep working hard and standing up for Katesgrove Ward.”
Kate Nikulina
Kate Nikulina has lived in Katesgrove Ward since 2019. She runs a courier business. In her spare time Kate enjoys swimming, languages (currently learning Spanish) and cats.
Kate, who has been campaigning in Katesgrove Ward all year round said: “It would be an honour to represent where I live.
“I have met many people on the doorstep and have been working to make Katesgrove better.
“I will keep working hard and standing up for Katesgrove Ward.”
Doug Creswell
Doug Cresswell has lived in Reading for 25 years. He works as a teacher. In his spare time Doug is in a local band and enjoys rock climbing with his family.
Mr Creswell said: “It would be an honour to represent Katesgrove Ward. I have been campaigning for greener, warmer homes to cut fuel bills and carbon emissions.
“This would make the town more affordable.
“I will keep working hard and standing up for Katesgrove Ward.”
Conservatives
Edward Belderbos
Edward Belderbos has Scottish heritage and has studied at Henley Business School at the University of Reading.
He has a BSc in Real Estate with an MSc/Diploma in Planning and Urban Development.
Conservative priorities for Reading include protecting green spaces by preventing illegal encampments, working with Thames Valley Police to curtail knife crime, and making sure not to penalise the town’s motorists.
Daniel Hughes
Daniel Hughes is standing for the Tories in Katesgrove.
The Conservatives have committed to making sure every child is safe, has a decent meal and a school place in Reading if elected.
They have also criticised the Labour administration for closing ‘much loved’ leisure facilities.
Mike Milner
Mike Milner is a fellow Conservative candidate for the area.
In their manifesto, the Tories have aims to invest more in the road network to fit potholes, and oppose any proposals that would introduce a levy for workplace parking or a congestion charge.
They also want to take a tough stance on flytipping to protect public spaces and the environment.
Liberal Democrats
Margaret McNeill
Margaret McNeill moved to Reading 13 years ago and loves the vibrancy and diversity of the town.
Her biggest concern about living in Reading is the growing number of people who are struggling with the cost of living.
Margaret’s priority on the Council would be to make sure that the poorest and most vulnerable people get the support they need.
She will also fight for cleaner air and better road infrastructure for cyclists, and would work to make the Council more accessible to everyone.
Read the Reading Lib Dems’ Manifesto here.
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