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In Wokingham, nothing is handed to you—especially if you stand as a Labour candidate. Every conversation, every vote, every bit of trust has to be earned through hard work.
So what does that actually look like?
The work begins long before any election. You will see us on doorsteps, listening to residents’ concerns, and out in the community dealing with everyday issues such as litter, speeding, and unmaintained road signs. We report problems to the council, follow them up, and stay engaged on the issues that matter locally. These actions may appear small in isolation, but together they make a meaningful difference.
Crucially, this work does not stop once elected—if anything, it intensifies.
As councillors, we spend a significant amount of time speaking with residents to understand what is working well and where improvements are needed. We take those concerns into the council chamber, raise them with officers, and work alongside relevant organisations to find solutions. And where direct action is required, we take it—we do not wait for problems to resolve themselves.
We are a small group of councillors and volunteers, which means we have to work that bit harder to make an impact. As Swami Vivekananda said, “Give me a few men who are pure and selfless, and I shall shake the world.” That spirit is reflected in Norreys—a small group of people who consistently show up, care deeply about the community, and get things done. That is how meaningful change happens.
As a team, we regularly organise litter picks to keep our streets, play parks, and school surroundings well cared for; volunteer with community speedwatch to tackle speeding and improve road safety; and take hands-on action by cleaning road signs, removing graffiti, and clearing leaves.
Council decisions are rarely simple. Balancing budgets, improving services, and managing growth are complex challenges. That’s why we don’t make glib promises. Instead, we focus on being honest, authentic, and practical in what we can deliver.
We don’t make easy promises we can’t keep. Instead, we focus on what we can deliver—step by step—whether that’s pushing for safer roads so residents, children and pets can use our roads without worry, holding builders and maintenance companies accountable as many new home owner face multiple challenges, standing up for residents when decisions affect their day-to-day lives like fighting against parking charges at Cantley which is heart of our community. We don’t go out with false narratives and would not shy away from taking responsibility.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that progress is rarely instant. There are no quick fixes in local government. But that doesn’t mean we stop trying. It means we keep showing up, keep pushing, and keep working with residents to find solutions that last.
Many local issues take time to resolve. For example, residents raised concerns about GP provision at Burma Hills GP Practice. Through continued engagement and escalation via appropriate scrutiny channels, this has helped secure confirmation that two new GPs will soon be joining the practice.
Road conditions are another ongoing concern. In Norreys, potholes are consistently reported, and continued pressure is applied for longer-term improvements on roads such as Keephatch Road where resurfacing is needed. These outcomes don’t arrive overnight, but persistence does move things forward.
During my first term as a borough councillor, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how the council operates—how officers work, how scrutiny committees influence decision making, and how to hold council and external organisations accountable to deliver what is best for residents. This knowledge is essential in turning residents’ concerns into real outcomes.
For me, being a councillor is about responsibility, not recognition. It means being present, prepared, and accountable.
If you see us out and about—whether on your street, at a local event, or reporting an issue—please do stop and have a chat. Your feedback shapes the work we do.
Because in Wokingham, if you want to make a difference, there are no shortcuts—just consistent, hard work.
By Cllr Nagi Nagella
