Polling Stations
- Scout & Guide Joint HQ
- St Barnabas Church (Elm Road)
- South Reading Community Hub
- Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School
2022 Candidates
Peter Boardley, Lib Dem
I have been resident in Reading for 45 years and have watched it grow with many developments, some of which are unsightly and ill- conceived. Local planning needs much more consideration. Our environment is in crisis and I would support any local efforts to reduce our energy consumption such as insulation consultation, at the very least. Whilst many of our minor roads are being dressed, some of our more important roads are still a severe hazard to cyclists. All of this requires better local consultations and plenty of listening.
Mike Harling, Green
Mike Harling has lived in Reading for nine years. He has worked for people with learning disabilities and managed a service supporting people with drug and alcohol dependencies. In his spare time Mike is a keen park runner who also enjoys a good walk in nature.
Mike 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/
Andrew Hornsby-Smith, Labour
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to introduce myself. I run my own local publishing and planning consultancy business in Reading. I’ve had experience serving as a local councillor, having previously served for 16 years, and I was leader of the Labour Group for two of those.
My main interests include planning, transport and the environment. I run an environment group in Reading to tackle climate change, and I’ve given several presentations at Reading Climate Festival. I’m a qualified transport planner, and project manager and I’ve represented neighbourhood groups at major planning inquiries. I’m also a qualified teacher, specialising in language support.
In my free time I volunteer for a local charity – helping people get home safely late at night. I have served on the East Reading Safer Neighbourhood Forum and chaired other police liaison groups. I’m an active trade unionist, and if elected I will work hard to deliver good quality local services and support those suffering from the cost-of-living crisis or anti-social behaviour.
My other interests include year-round swimming and walking. I also play a very loud mediaeval musical instrument.
Ruth Mcewan, Labour
I am delighted that I have been nominated to stand in Church Ward in the local elections in May.
Reading has been my home for over thirty years and my four children were born here and went to local schools.
I work locally, and for several years I worked for a local charity. I now manage an Extra Care Scheme supporting older adults in their homes, helping them to remain independent. I’m also proud to be a Governor at a local school, and a trustee for two local charities.
Since being elected as Church Ward Councillor in 2018 I have been a member of the Adult Social Care Committee, Planning Committee and Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee. More recently I became the Lead Member for Corporate and Consumer Services.
I hope to continue to support residents in Church Ward.
James Mugo, Conservative
Adam Phelps, Conservative
Adam is delighted and honored to be standing for election in Church ward for the second year running. He has called Reading home for over 20 years, first coming to the area as a student to study at the University. He lives in the town with his wife and young daughter and is actively involved in the local community. Adam says: “Reading is a great place to live, work and raise a family but it can be even better. There is no doubt that RBC can deliver services much more efficiently and provide residents with much better value for money”.
Alanzo Seville, Conservative
Alanzo has been involved in various local community projects over recent years, from befriending isolated elderly members of the community, to mentoring young people who were at risk of being excluded from school. An experienced campaigner, he was also a member of a Parish Council for five years with a particular interest in finance and planning issues. Alanzo’s children attend local schools and he has served as a Governor of a Reading school.
Paul Woodward, Labour
I have been a councillor in Church Ward since 2011, and ever since then Labour councillors have been returned election after election. Residents in my ward know that they will be listened to, and that I and my colleagues care about the things that matter to them.
I have fought to retain the character of the ward by preserving the best things, such as The Cowsey – the green heart of the ward – and fighting inappropriate developments, such as the university’s original hall of residence plans on Northcourt Avenue, or houses in gardens such as The Brybur Close garages.
I have also lobbied for more road surfacing, tree planting and a war on fly-tippers.
Times are hard and getting harder, but with Labour councillors on your side we can make a great ward even better.
