2023 result
LABOUR GAINS. Sam Juthani receives 1,454 votes.
2022 result
Polling stations
- Caversham Heights Methodist Church, 74 Highmoor Road, Caversham
- Mapledurham Pavilion, Woodcote Road, Caversham
- St Andrew’s Hall, Albert Road, Caversham
- Highdown School, Surley Row, Emmer Green
The candidates
Paul Carnell, Conservative
Caversham is a great place to live, but it could be so much better. I have, since the last election supported many residents seeing that their voices are heard. I have opposed planning applications that are unsustainable and out of place, including the siting of a telecommunications mast along Kidmore Road.
I was honoured to be elected as the chairman of the Mapledurham playing fields management committee, and look forward to taking this wonderful community asset forward. However, I was saddened that the labour administration chose to impose the maximum 5% council tax increase on the people at this time, especially as there is a £6 million pound underspend in the budget.
I will continue to fight that injustice for Caversham residents and, more widely, for the people of Reading who continue to pay amongst the highest council taxes in Berkshire. I will also continue to fight for improved bus services for Caversham Heights.
Vania Costa-Krol, Lib Dem
Vania Costa-Krol is an NHS worker and young mother from Caversham; she is passionate about ensuring that Caversham Heights remains a safe, nurturing community for all residents. She loves being part of Reading’s vibrant community and can often be seen walking in the parks along the riverside with her children. She is keen that Reading builds on the strengths of its diverse communities and continues to be a welcoming town to all. She is also passionate about the environment and the defence of our civil liberties against an increasingly authoritarian government.
In her own words:
After working in the health area for more than a decade, I can say that there is not much that can shock me. However, the recent death of the beloved headmistresses of Caversham Primary School shocked me to the core. It made think that we are so engrained in following processes and guidelines, that we can forget that these procedures were, first and foremost, designed to serve and protect individuals and not to work against law-abiding citizens and hard-working people.
In this mindset, I am more than the new Liberal Democrat Candidate for Caversham Heights – I am an individual: a young(-ish) working mum who hopes her efforts can contribute to a safer and more efficient community, whilst helping to shape council policies, designed to nurture our vulnerable residents and to support the development of our town and our community.
Communities are one of the most important building blocks of the UK. Caversham Heights needs a fresh set of eyes to help designing new solutions:
- To tackle environmental problems without compromising the development of an efficient transport network,
- To develop new health solutions specially focused on children and teenagers and access to better mental health provision,
- To tackle increasing crime in the area without jeopardising the harmony of our community.
These are all issues of great importance, nationally, for the Liberal Democrats. Learning from Lib Dem run councils up and down the country, including our neighbouring council of South Oxfordshire, the local party (and myself) hope to infuse change after long years of the same tired set up of Reading Borough Council.
Actions are worth more than promises. Your vote will help us turn this into a reality
Sam Juthani, Labour and Co-operative
I’m Sam Juthani, Labour candidate for Caversham Heights. I’m standing to be a councillor because I understand the local area, will make an effective representative, and have the skills and experience to help shape Reading for the future.
I live locally with my wife and our son, who goes to a local nursery – so I am personally invested in making sure we have great local facilities and will work to make sure our roads are safely for families across the ward. Beyond that, I know how difficult times are for families across Caversham Heights and all of Reading. I’m a former trustee of Citizens Advice Reading, so I know how tough times are. I’m going to work to find solutions that best help our residents. I’m well-placed to do so because of my professional background – I’m an economist, and previously worked at HM Treasury, the World Bank and the Bank of England. I’m now a consultant, and ready to use my experience to help families in Caversham Heights and across the Borough.
I’m passionate about our local community. I’m proud to live here, and I will do everything I can to be an effective Councillor for our residents.
Danny McNamara, Green
Danny McNamara has lived in Reading for over 30 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.
Green councillors and candidates are working for a fairer, greener, more affordable town.
Greens did so well at the council elections last year that we overtook the Conservatives becoming the second largest party on Reading’s Labour-run council (32 Labour councillors, 7 Green, 6 Conservative and 3 Lib Dem). Labour have a very large majority of councillors but it is very close between Greens and Conservatives for second place.
Vote Green at the council elections on Thursday 4 May for hard work year-round but also to keep the Green Party ahead of the Conservatives as the main opposition party on Reading Council.
Get involved with the campaign. We will only win with your help.
