Four years ago, independent candidate Jim Frewin was elected for the first time, defeating incumbent Anthony Pollock. At the time, he was the Conservative’s executive member for finance making this a big scalp for Mr Frewin, on only his second attempt at being elected. His candidacy was helped by the Liberal Democrats stepping aside. That is not the case this time round, making the seat one to watch.
2023 result
2019 results
| Candidate | Votes |
| Jim Frewin, Independent | 1141 |
| Anthony Pollock, Conservative | 709 |
| Marcus Mcdowell, Labour | 229 |
| Hilary Murdoch, Green | 226 |
| Spoilt | 11 |
Polling station
- Three Mile Cross Church Centre
- School Green Centre
The candidates
Sarah Bell, Labour
Awaiting information from candidate.
Thomas Blomley, Green
Climate action and green environment
Protect green spaces from development
Increase tree planting
Improve recycling levels and reduce waste to landfills
Provide more incentives for renewable energy and insulation for poorer households (heat pumps, roof insulation)
WBC Pension fund – decarbonise / divest
No-mow verges for wildflowers
Improving health outcomes
Social carers – campaigning for them to get at least living wage
Protecting budgets for alcohol and drug dependency
Increased support for mental health
Reducing GP Waiting times
Sustainable transport
- Public transport
- Cycle lanes
- 20 mph speed zones
- Clean air zones (Wokingham, Twyford)
- Traffic-free zones
- Turn off engine zone (level crossings, junctions)
- Increased electric vehicle charging points
Dave Edmonds, Conservative
I have lived and worked locally all my life. After attending Reading School, I studied at Reading University. I currently run my own accountancy business based in Shinfield South. I set up my business because I wanted to help local businesses and local people manage their finances and build a prosperous future for themselves and their families.
I volunteer as a Governor at a local primary school and am Regional Vice Chairman for the British Judo Association. For over 20 years I have managed a community Judo programme for local children. Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my wife Laura and two young children Charlie and Izzy, along with our 3 terriers.
I am passionate about making our community the best possible place to live, work and raise a family. If elected, I will work with Cllr Jackie Rance and stand up for Shinfield South.
Jackie is well known for her dedication to helping residents and persistence in resolving local issues and I will be doing my best to work as hard as her! We have been campaigning together; getting support for the petition to keep weekly bin collections and to scrap the huge increases in car park charges.
I share the concerns of many that development is not under control. We urgently need a Local Plan to be able to stop inappropriate applications being approved on appeal and to protect our countryside.
As your elected councillor I will listen and do my best to help you, stop planning by appeal, re-establish weekly bin collections, have more road resurfacing here and stop the parking increases.
If you have any problems you need help with, want to share your views, or would like to help my campaign please contact me.
Jim Frewin, Indpendent
Hi, I’m Jim Frewin, proud to be the Shinfield man who’s been your voice at WBC since 2019.
Working with you and on your behalf, we halted the horrific plans for Shinfield cement works, right next to our primary school.
Over the last four years, I’ve helped over 140 residents including families living in health-impacting damp homes, have dealt with concerns on fly-tipping, illegal encampments, planning, potholes and more.
Residents still tell me WBC don’t listen, don’t respond, don’t act, don’t help and are difficult to deal with.
I’ve taken up your challenge to help the Council evolve and become the Council residents deserve. Things have started to improve and I want to see these changes continue.
Too much time and effort is spent on party politics and not enough on doing the right thing for residents. This is not how it should be.
I speak and vote for what is right for residents. I’m Independent. No party line to follow.
I want a listening, easy-to-deal-with, caring, action-led, cost-effective council.
If you feel the same way, Vote Independent and make May 4th your … INDEPENDENTs … Day.
Catherine Glover, Lib Dem
I moved to Spencers Wood on retirement from the IT industry in 2012. I am secretary of the Shinfield Local History Society through which I see Shinfield both past and present.
Over the past decade I have watched developers suck Shinfield parish dry. Local opposition has proved to be largely futile and a new approach is needed.
The parish has grown enormously and we need to build both a new community and a civic purpose.
Where there is open space remaining, I want to see it preserved and improved. Where there is wildlife I want to see it encouraged. I want to see practical steps taken to improve the circulation of local traffic and I want to make Shinfield an acceptable place in which to walk and cycle.
It is because I am interested in people, and place, and improving people’s lives, that I am a Liberal Democrat.
I do not want to see the mistakes of Shinfield repeated at Hall Farm.
Lib Dems’ first priority is to achieve a reduction in the government-set new housing quota but if the University persists in pushing to develop Hall Farm, then I will oppose their plans.
