The all-out Reading Borough Council elections will be happening very shortly, so here are all the candidates seeking your votes in the newly created Emmer Green ward.
The new has has been made out of the old Peppard ward, and covers Emmer Green and north east Caversham.
It is likely to be a Conservative stronghold, with the Reading Tory leader councillor Clarence Mitchell and long serving councillor Simon Robinson both standing here.
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
Clarence Mitchell
Clarence is the Conservative Group Leader on Reading Borough Council. A former BBC News Correspondent and senior Civil Servant, he was first elected as a Councillor for the former Peppard Ward in 2021. He lives in Lower Caversham and runs his own public relations and media consultancy.
Mr Mitchell said: “It has been the greatest honour to serve the people of Peppard Ward over the last year and I very much hope that with their continuing support at these elections I can continue to do so as one of their representatives for the new Emmer Green ward.
“With the support of Emmer Green’s voters, a Conservative-led Council – one that actually listens to its residents, rather than ignoring them – can finally start to deliver the positive change that Reading so urgently deserves. For too long the Labour-run administration of RBC has been failing our town and the people of Emmer Green in particular.
“In the council chamber, for example, I and my Conservative colleagues strongly opposed the highly controversial development of Reading Golf Club’s former land in our ward, reflecting the widespread community opposition to its sheer scale, but Labour simply ignored the concerns of residents and went ahead with approving the plans for 223 homes despite unanimously rejecting the application less than a year earlier. It’s time for change in Reading.”
Simon Robinson
Simon Robinson has been a councillor since 2014.
He has served on a number of committees, including the influential policy, planning and audit and governance committees.
Recently, he has called for council officers to learn from mistakes after an adult social care service provider was accidentally overpayed by £1 million.
He also called Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine “evil incarnate.”
Harry Kretchmer
Harry Kretchmer is a former BBC journalist who has lived in Reading since 2019. He now works in business marketing. He says: “As a consumer news reporter I used to love talking to people about the challenges they were facing and trying to find solutions. I hope I can help people in Emmer Green in the same way.
“I’m committed to protecting our green and open spaces from over development, making sure Emmer Green’s play areas get proper investment and working to tackle illegal traveller incursions. I’ll also work closely with our local community groups and Thames Valley Police to ensure our streets are kept safe and to combat anti-social behaviour. ”
Labour
Robert Dimmick
Robert Dimmick said: “I am a former Councillor (1984-1992) and Mayor of Reading (1991-2). I have lived in Caversham Park in what is now Emmer Green Ward since 1980, and I am retired after almost 40 years working in IT support.
“Since 1992 I have played major roles in Reading’s friendship with Düsseldorf in Germany, and I am the vice chairman of the Reading Düsseldorf Association. I am a trustee and regular preacher at Caversham Park Church, and a member of the Third Order, Society of Saint Francis, of which I am the Assistant Secretary of the European Province.
“My main recreation is cycling. I am married with two adult children and one granddaughter.
“I am standing because I want a community where we all look after one another, with excellent public services, and because I know that Labour is best for Reading. We need to act together to build a diverse and friendly community, to protect the environment, limit global warming, and have safe and affordable transport for everyone, and to help those who are hard up because of rising prices and inadequate benefits.”
Rachel Jones
Rachel Jones said: “I’ve lived in Caversham Park Village since 1999 and am delighted to have been selected as Labour candidate in Emmer Green. I never imagined I’d do this, but decided it’s time to stop worrying about things (nationally and internationally) and try to make a positive difference locally.
“I’ve worked for large and small companies and have just become self-employed. If elected, I promise to be responsive & visible and keep you updated on work the council is doing.
“In other Reading wards, Labour councillors & members are great at working with the community, and if I’m elected, I’ll look to implement the same here, doing my best to help residents with local problems and working with environmental groups to make our beautiful bit of Berkshire the best place it can be. Now my children are grown, you’re more likely to see me at Clayfield Copse (with my dogs) than at school gates, but I may have seen you in both places.
“I’m proud of Reading Borough Council – keeping council tax increases lower than many, running a superb bus service (including Readibus of course), even maintaining bin collections throughout the pandemic – and would be honoured to work within the council, representing our ward.”
Len Middleton
Len Middleton said: “I’m proud to stand as the Labour Party candidate in the new Emmer Green ward.
“Local services are very important. I was talking to a voter; conversations are always about the bin collection service, but then they asked:
‘Was the Council’s support for people shielding from Covid still running? I live on my own and I’m about to start chemotherapy.’
“It was, and I was able to give them the phone number.
“Reading’s Labour Council has a great record in public service and, should I be elected, I will champion council services for the people of Emmer Green to make the lives of all of us better.
“I have lived in Reading for over thirty years. My partner and I are both resident in Reading for tax purposes.”
Liberal Democrats
Pieter De Boiserie
Pieter De Boiserie said: “I live in Emmer Green with my wife and two children and work in Green Park. My daughter goes to school here and my son attends a local nursery and I want them to grow up in an area they love and want to care for.
“As a keen runner I enjoy being able to explore our area this way and when I am not running, you can probably find me out on Clayfield Copse with my dog. I am also a big board game fan, which is a great way to relax and to connect with people.
“For my work I am lucky enough to only have to commute to Green Park where I work in Supply Chain, an area I have now worked in for over a decade in a variety of roles.
“Our green space has been under threat due to the ongoing development concerns on what was Reading Golf Course. During the last year many of you and myself have been able to enjoy this space and truly appreciate our natural surroundings. There is a requirement for more housing, but we need to make sure we balance this demand with the correct infrastructure, services and without destroying the nature we have on our doorstep.
“I therefore support the proposals for development of the BBC site and encourage residents to do so as well.
“Building a third bridge from Caversham to Reading would require an orbital road to go right through our countryside. I will object to this as there are many better initiatives to help with the traffic congestion for a fraction of the cost.”
Green Party
Mazin Abdalla
Mazin Abdalla has lived in Reading for 10 years. He works in IT for a communications company. When not working he enjoys a walk or a game of football.
Mazin 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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