The all-out Reading Borough Council elections are almost upon us, so here are all the candidates seeking your votes in the newly created Caversham Heights ward.
The ward has been formed following a boundary review, covering the areas of Mapledurham, The Warren and west Caversham.
Two incumbent Conservative councillors, Isobel Ballsdon and Paul Carnell are standing for election here.
It is also one of two wards that the Liberal Democrats are fielding three candidates, the other being Tilehurst.
Once all the votes are counted, three councillors will represent Caversham Heights.
You can see all the candidates seeking your votes by party below.
Conservatives
Isobel Ballsdon
Isobel Ballsdon said: “I’ve lived in Caversham for nearly 30 years and been a councillor serving my community for 16 years. I’m proud of my achievements which include helping deliver a much needed primary school in Caversham Heights, as well as helping refurbish/rebuild the dilapidated Pavilion and make Mapledurham Playing Fields accessible for all.
“I’ve helped plant lots of trees and clear up lots of litter. On a more individual level I’ve helped with issues such as council tax overcharging, concessionary bus pass renewals, parking tickets, planning applications, missed bins, pot holes, road resurfacing, road safety issues, school admissions, housing problems, alcohol addiction, vandalism and helping adults suffering mental health crises get urgent professional help.
“Outside of my councillor role I’m Chair of Governors at The Avenue Special School and I have a full-time job as a comms consultant in the built environment. I regularly post updates on my councillor Facebook page and Blog.”
Paul Carnell
Paul Carnell said: “I moved to Reading nearly 15 years ago and am proud to call Reading home.
“After first being elected to the council in a by-election three years ago I have worked tirelessly to improve Caversham.
“If I am successful I will continue to oppose unsustainable developments and challenge Reading having the highest council tax in Berkshire.”
Dave Luckett
Dave Luckett said: “I’ve lived in Caversham for the past 17 years and I’m an IT Consultant.
“Caversham is a great place to live but I passionately believe it could be even better.
“Whilst out and about in our community one thing is abundantly clear – you feel the Labour-run Council isn’t listening to your views.
“I want to make sure your views are heard, whether it’s on planning applications, road resurfacing or some of the terrible traffic issues that we have experienced over the past few months.
“I also want to ensure that Caversham gets its fair share of resources and that your hard-earned money gets used appropriately, not squandered on yet more additional auditors’ fees because of Labour’s failure year after year to submit the council’s accounts on time.
“If you have any questions or need my help, please call me on 07555 591381.”
Liberal Democrats
Chris Burden
Chris Burden said: “I have lived in the Thames Valley all my life, and in Caversham for the last 21: I am a local. Originally from a science and technology background, I now work in project management.
“I believe in the importance of openness, tolerance, and social justice – this above all is why I am a Liberal Democrat rather than a member of another party. Fairness and open communication would be at the heart of all I would do, if elected. This is something that has for the most part been sorely lacking North of the River in Reading, with many of our communities being largely ignored outside election time. Residents in Mapledurham told me of their frustration with their local representation in prior years and the lack of engagement over controversial issues – this needs to change.
“Combating injustice will be central to my approach – whether it’s ensuring that our green spaces and environment are safeguarded so future generations can live safely, to better enforcement against fly-tipping and speeding on our roads, to ensuring that high-quality services and genuinely-affordable housing are available to all, not just a privileged few.
“If elected to the Council, I would hold the governing administration to account. I would also ensure that Caversham Heights residents were kept informed, updated, and consulted about what is happening in and around our community. The Mapledurham Playing Fields fiasco led many in our area to feel ignored by their representatives, and this cannot stand.”
Jo Ramsay
Dr Jo Ramsay said “I have lived and worked in the Caversham area for over 20 years, first moving here after I got my PhD in electronic engineering to work in the thriving telecoms industry in the Thames Valley. I later, in my 40s, retrained as a social worker after a sabbatical period when I volunteered as a general advisor with Reading CAB, and realised that community work was what I really wanted to be doing.
“Currently I am working as an advocate across Berkshire, supporting older people and adults with learning disabilities to have their voices heard by services. I am passionate about making local services and facilities more accessible to all, and protecting our beloved local green spaces that have been such a lifeline during the last year.
“Like so many other residents, I worry about the levels of traffic in this area, and the associated issues with air quality and parking. So many politicians for so many years have promised us that our problems will be solved by a third Thames bridge, which still shows no signs of happening, so we need to do something different that doesn’t involve concreting over our green spaces. I share your concerns about poor public transport and community facilities in the area that have vanished.
“I believe it is time for our brilliant grassroots communities and local activists to take the lead – if I am elected to Reading Borough Council, I will work hard to listen and be available for local residents, and fight for the support we need in Caversham Heights.”
Thomas Weir
Dr Thomas Weir lives in the area with his wife and a very naughty golden retriever.
He works at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine as part of the development team, helping raise funds for work on disability, mental health, neglected tropical diseases and vaccine confidence. His background is in sports diversity, focusing on disability and LGBT+ inclusion.
He is especially keen to support efforts to promote health equity: adequate care for all based on individual need, not individual finances; and also efforts to promote a cleaner, greener environment.
Labour
Matt Buckley
Matt Buckley said: “I’ve been a resident of the Reading area for over five years now. I work as a Data Scientist in the area, and since 2019 I have been campaigning on issues from avoiding climate catastrophe to ensuring safe and affordable housing for residents.
“I’m standing as a Labour candidate to ensure we have public services that act in the public interest, rather than simply funnelling taxpayer money into the pockets of a select few. I want to ensure our Labour Council can continue the excellent work it’s done on transforming Reading into one of our country’s first Net-Zero towns, on expanding our publicly owned bus services, and on ensuring all residents have secure housing.
“I hope to speak to many of you over the coming weeks, but would love to hear your concerns, so please do reach out about the local issues that you’d like to see a fresh face addressing on the council.”
Vikram Duhan
Vikram Duhan said: “I’ve been living in Reading with my family for the last 16 years. I am a postgraduate in Software Engineering and work as a management consultant.
“I am passionate about improving the quality of education and support services for mainstream and special schools in and around Reading. If elected as your representative on the Council, I will ensure that no child is left behind when it comes to gaining a quality education. I will also work to improve social care, Caversham Height roads, public spaces, and parking issues, and will campaign for the provision of frequent bus services connecting Caversham Heights directly to Reading town centre and Reading train station.
“Over the coming weeks, I will be out with my colleagues to get in touch with you and hear your concerns and, if elected, raise your concerns with Reading Council. Please feel free to contact me via email or call me at 07824 310076.
“I look forward to working with you all and hope to earn your support in the upcoming elections and beyond.”
Sue Kitchingham
Sue Kitchingham said: “I’m a former teacher at Reading College and currently work as an Open University tutor. I have lived in Reading for over 30 years, bringing up my family here in Caversham, where my four children have attended local schools. Caversham is a great place to live – we should cherish it!
“I support Labour because I believe we all go further when we work together for the common good. As a national party with a strong base Labour has the power to change things for the better, now. I believe we all benefit from strong public services, so I’m concerned that the legacy of Tory austerity has left them weakened and vulnerable.
“I’m proud of the effective and pragmatic way Labour has run Reading Borough Council while I have lived here. As a long-time user of Rivermead I’m delighted to see it being rebuilt with improved facilities. To tackle the climate emergency we need actions not words, so it’s great to see Labour is investing £34m on improving energy efficiency in council homes, as part of their action to reach net zero by 2030. Decent housing and further action on climate change would be my priorities if elected.”
Green Party
Danny McNamara
Danny McNamara has lived in Reading for 42 years. He has worked in IT in the online fashion and financial services sectors.
He is a member of Unite Community and Keep Our NHS Public.
In his spare time he is a keen folk music enthusiast.
Danny would like to see a fairer, greener, more affordable town. The Reading Green Party mini manifesto for 2022 is here: https://reading.greenparty.org.uk/manifesto/
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