The candidates vying for your votes in Church ward for the 2022 Local Elections have been announced.
In the election that is being held on Thursday, May 5 this year, the entirety of Reading Borough Council will be voted in.
People will be electing three councillors this time round.
READ MORE: Reading local elections 2022: parties release manifestos
The Church ward covers the eastern portion of Whitley in South Reading.
It is currently represented by three Labour councillors, with incumbents Ruth McEwan and Paul Woodward defending their seats and Ashley Pearce standing down.
See all the candidates seeking your votes by party below.
Labour
Ruth McEwan
Ruth McEwan is the council’s current lead for corporate and consumer services.
Cllr McEwan said: “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.”
Paul Woodward
Paul Woodward said: “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.”
Andrew Hornsby-Smith
Andrew Hornsby-Smith is as former councillor with 16 years of experience, who also runs a planning consultancy business.
Last year, he stood in the Redlands ward, where he was narrowly defeated by Green candidate David McElroy.
Mr Hornsby-Smith said: “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.”
Conservatives
James Mugo
James Mugo has lived in Reading for 25 years, and out of those, 20 years in Church ward.
He has practiced immigration law in Reading since 2008 which has given him an opportunity to better understand the community.
James has served as Governor at Reading Girls Secondary School, Trustee at Reading Credit Union, Chair of the Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE) and is a Founder member of Pioneer Cooperative UK. While serving in those organisations, James has learnt significantly of the issues in Church Ward, the second most deprived in Reading, and he now wants to serve the Church Ward community as a Councillor.
James is a family man with two adult children who went to local primary schools, secondary schools and are now pursuing careers as Pharmacists. Because of James’ community experience, statutory bodies consult him in order to understand particular community issues.
He is now seeking your vote in order to work with you in addressing Church Ward’s barriers to housing, unemployment, living environment deprivation, health deprivation and many more.
Mr Mugo said: “With your vote, I will be your progressive voice within Reading Borough Council.”
Adam Phelps
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.
Mr Phelps said: “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
Alanzo Seville lives in Sonning.
He 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.
READ MORE: Tories and Greens attacked for candidates who don't live in Reading
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.
Liberal Democrats
Peter Boardley
Peter Boardley is a grandfather and long-standing campaigner in Reading.
A passionate community activist, Peter is a keen environmentalist; his priorities are protecting our green spaces, improving our transport and listening to residents’ concerns.
If elected, his priorities are getting a fair deal for Church Ward residents and services, building the affordable housing we need, where we need it, and protecting our green spaces and woodlands from further development.
Mr Boardley said: “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.”
Green Party
Mike Harling
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. Read the Reading Green Party mini manifesto for 2022 here.
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