Wayne Smith is standing again for the Conservatives.
Polling Stations
2021 candidates
Wayne Smith, Conservatives
For around 20 years, I’ve been actively working with the community on various local projects/ issues. Since the last set of elections, I’ve been involved on items that I know are important to the community.
Being part of many local organisations, including the Parish Council and the Hurst Consolidated Charity for the Almshouses, my approach is to liaise and help as many local groups as possible.
My Local Priorities are:
- Maintaining our area as a great place to live and raise families
- Protect our area from over development and preserve the rural character
- Traffic and speeding concerns
- Maintain our high educational standards
- Develop a plan to build on the consultation regarding Twyford commuter parking
- Ensuring adult social care provision for our elderly
Sam Turvey, Lib Dems
I live in Hurst village with my wife and three young children who attend the local schools. I’m a member of the Parish Council so will be campaigning on the major issues for Hurst and south Twyford’s residents, which include:
> Investing in our children’s futures
Everyone has sacrificed during the pandemic but few more so than our young people. When normality returns, Hurst should be a place that offers its children fantastic infrastructure and opportunities – with places to enjoy the outdoors, spaces to play sport and learn, and events that inspire. Investing in our kids is important for everyone’s future so I would like to ensure Hurst remains a welcoming, enjoyable, and safe place for them to grow and thrive.
> Championing a clean countryside
Many residents have been busy during the pandemic taking responsibility for cleaning up all the litter blighting our beautiful Parish. The fact that some people fly tip and drop rubbish is, frankly, a disgrace. But we should not have to accept that behaviour. I want to force Wokingham Borough Council to do more, not just to prevent fly-tippers and litter bugs, but to ensure our council tax is correctly deployed to keep Hurst’s environment clean.
> Stopping a new housing disaster
As one of the largest and greenest parts of Wokingham Borough, Hurst faces a significant new threat from housing development. The Local Plan has fallen apart leaving us all at serious risk. I am not against some new housing being built where it is appropriate to do so, but there must be transparency and regular dialogue with the residents of Hurst, so we know what to expect and can fairly make our case.
For years we have all suffered from speeding cars, increasing fly-tipping and litter, and the encroachment of new housing without sufficient infrastructure to support it. We deserve better.
We deserve change with a new Borough Councillor who offers a fresh approach to addressing these issues.
Paula Montie, Labour
Paula has lived in Hurst for over 20 years – she loves the village and the borough, especially the open spaces where she enjoys walking with her husband, Martin and their rescue dog, Rusty.
Paula and Martin moved out of London when she was appointed Head of a school in Bracknell. In 2004, she became Head of Polehampton Junior School until her retirement in 2011. After retiring, she was a Chair of Governors and has a particular interest in helping children who experience challenges in their learning.
Apart from her keen interest in education and politics, she also enjoys the theatre and is a member of Progress Theatre Company in Reading.
There are many local issues that need to be addressed such as lack of school places, support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, greater provision for children and young people, protection of our green spaces, truly affordable housing, transport, fly-tipping, speeding etc.
However, there is also a bigger picture to consider. We face unprecedented threats: climate change, work insecurity, an aging population, widening inequality – all of which will affect our everyday lives. These challenges call for new ways of thinking including innovative ways to involve the community and make local government more responsive the people it serves.
Without strong opposition and an injection of fresh ideas, our Council can become complacent and take residents for granted. Local government is strengthened by a strong opposition and Paula would be a strong voice for the residents of Hurst.
Brent Smith, Green
Awaiting candidate’s information
