Shinfield goes to the polls

Residents of Shinfield will go to the polls tomorrow (Thursday) to elect a new councillor.

The decision is an important one for the whole of Wokingham borough, as a win for either the Conservative, Labour or Green candidate will mean an opposition majority on the council.

The by-election is taking place as a result of the decision by former councillor Sarah Bell to step down after four months in place.

In the May 2024 local election she polled the highest number of votes – 997, and was elected as one of the three Shinfield ward councillors.

The turnout then was 33.36%.

Wokingham Today reached out to the four candidates. Here are their comments in alphabetical order.

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Becca Brown, Labour

I live in the Shinfield parish area, and work in a company based in our borough, so what happens here matters to me.

I want to work with other councillors and our MP to make our village even better than it already is.

I have been encouraged by recent government decisions which will positively impact the area, such as new funding for filling potholes, and action on curbing high management fees via the leasehold and freehold reform bill.

However, there is still more that can be done. Shinfield needs a councillor who can ensure all new-build estates have the facilities they need to thrive, as well as being an active member of our community.

Here are my three pledges.

1) Fix potholes, clean up our streets and push for more action to prevent anti-social behaviour.

2) Provide increased cost-of-living support and face-to-face advice.

3) Protect residents of new build estates by championing scrapping SANG charges and other fees.

Chris Johnson, Liberal Democrats

I’m standing for election to serve the people of Shinfield.

I loved being a councillor for Shinfield South and, after a short break, I can’t wait to get back to helping residents and using my local knowledge and experience within the ruling Lib Dem councillor team.

I have lived in Three Mile Cross for 10 years and I use the same roads, shops and other facilities as you. Living in this growing community and talking with local people every day, I see what works and what is lacking.

I was part of the team that made speed limit reductions in our area happen, long promised but not delivered by the Conservatives.

I led councillor teams that delivered additional facilities to Wokingham schools, reduced council costs and protected recreational facilities.

My working career was in communications, engineering and software, including 25 years in the Royal Air Force. I’m a problem solver by nature – I find solutions and make sure they happen. World travel opened my eyes to the diversity of cultures, the amazing nature we take for granted and what is at risk for our children and grandchildren if we do not take care of our planet

Our local area faces many challenges. We need to support the most vulnerable, welcome new members of our community, manage the change that comes with growth, and make sure that the limited money the council has available is spent wisely and on residents’ priorities.

I will focus on improving the daily lives of residents – my neighbours – which means getting the right facilities and services for our growing community. I will work to ensure that local schools can provide high quality places locally, and that issues with school travel are fixed.

I want our roads to be safe for everyone however you travel, including appropriate speed limits in residential areas, crossings on main roads and safe routes for walking and cycling.

And I will back the improvements in bus services which my Lib Dem colleagues are delivering.

The choice in this election will be between myself, a hard-working representative for Shinfield within the Liberal Democrat group which runs the council, or another Conservative.

Support for Labour has been collapsing across the country since July and they won’t win this election.

Jackie Rance, Conservative

Many of you will know me as a previous Shinfield councillor.

I continue to help the local community and am 100% committed to the area. I care passionately about our local area, and listen carefully to the views and concerns of residents.

I would work hard as your local councillor to get things done. I will be your strong local voice for Shinfield.

I have supported local victims of anti-social behaviour, backed the new crossing on

Shinfield Road near Crosfields School, and I want to find new facilities for those kicked out of the Community Flat on Frensham Green.

I also volunteer for SHARE foodbank and am a foundation governor at Shinfield St. Marys Junior School.

I am fighting against the LibDem plans to build 3,900+ houses at Hall Farm. They promised to protect Hall Farm from development before the election but have now voted to concrete over our countryside. I also oppose their damaging cuts to local services and their poor maintenance of our roads and green spaces.

I am also opposed to the LibDems plan to introduce car parking charges at School Green. This would cause huge disruption in the local area and would lead to chaos with cars parking on neighbouring roads.

I support the need for a new Royal Berkshire Hospital. Labour promised they would

build the new hospital within five years but, once elected, they stopped the project.

I want to protect vulnerable people from Labour cuts and taxes, such as the cut of £300 winter fuel allowance. Labour also promised they wouldn’t increase tax on working people, but have increased NI and raised tax on small businesses.

Children’s education is close to my heart. We must ensure we have enough local school places for local kids. Labour’s plans to charge VAT on education will create further pressure on available state school places and increase class sizes.

Gary Shacklady, Green party.

I am the leader of the Wokingham Green Party and I have lived in the Wokingham borough all my life.
I have witnessed the transformation of the local area and whilst I understand the need to provide more homes, I am saddened by the loss of green space and wild space.

The RG2 postcode was home to me in my school years and although I do not currently live within Shinfield, I have very close connections with many friends who do, who speak about the issues to solve as well as the positive attributes to protect. I now live in Woodley with my wife and two young children, and, just like my close friends and many people of Shinfield, my children’s future is my priority.

I am standing for election to the council in the Shinfield ward to protect Shinfield from its unfair treatment in the Local Plan. It is vital that we prioritise fairness and sustainability and I feel that we need transport, housing and care solutions which promote positive outcomes for all.

I am outspoken about what is right and I am unafraid to hold the unpopular opinion, when it is what is needed. I have built good relationships with other councillors and feel I would be able to influence policy and decision making, and raise the voice of those who are unheard.

I hear those calls to reduce crime, boost transport options, avoid flooding and protect the environment. I see the effects of an ever-changing population and the impact that has on schools, local services and traffic. These are just some of the areas I would be fighting for if elected.

Help us to elect our first Green councillor in Wokingham and bring the positive changes this ward and this borough need and deserve.

Wokingham Borough Council is reminding voters to bring photo ID if voting in person, with polling stations open from 7am to 10pm.

The count for the by-election will take place at Shute End once the polls have closed, with a result expected around midnight.