Last month Jamie Wake informed myself, and other key activists in the Local Party, that he would be resigning his membership from the Liberal Democrats. We consider this a great loss, and Jamie shall be missed by many people. We are already feeling his absence from our team. Although no longer officially one of our members, we shall still be working closely with him in order to continue to support Reading’s LGBT community. Jamie has agreed to work with us to advance the motion he put to our AGM in November further in our democratic policy making. His insight into the LGBT community in Reading is invaluable to us. We also look forward to his input about issues that Kennet Island residents put forward, as it still an area of Reading that gets little to no political attention. This is a great injustice to a growing part of our population.

We wish Jamie all the best in his new roles on the committee of the Kennet Island Residents Association and as a Trustee of Reading Pride, an event very close to the hearts of many of our members.

Georgina Hughes
Chair of Greater Reading Liberal Democrats

Their selection follows individual decisions by councillors Peter Beard , Glenn Goodall and Warren Swaine not to seek re-election in the local Council elections in Reading in 2012.

• Cllr Peter Beard is retiring in May 2012 after representing Tilehurst since 2001.
• Cllr Beard represented Norcot ward between 1974 and 1982. His career as a local councillor included a very successful year as Mayor of Reading when he campaigned to improve the lot of the Reading Gurkha community.
• Cllr Warren Swaine and Cllr Glenn Goodall are stepping down at the local elections in May 2012 to focus on their professional careers after four years serving local people in Katesgrove and Redlands.

New candidates set to make a mark

Janel Blatter, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Katesgrove

Janel Blattler began campaigning with the Lib Dems in the run-up to the 2010 General Election.

A Katesgrove resident originally from Canada, she works full time as a designer for a local software company and is also pursuing a MSc in Human-Computer Interaction at University College London.

Cllr Daisy Benson and Liberal Democrat Candidate for Redlands, James Moor

James Moore lives in central Reading and works for a major software company in South Reading.

He is no stranger to being involved in the local community, having been a Scout Leader for six years in Runnymede, Surrey and sat on local Council forums and committees to represent young people of the area.

Cllr Peter Beard with Meri O'Connell, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Tilehurst

Meri O’Connell has lived with her husband in Tilehurst for 17 years.

They have 3 young children and Meri is a school Governor at Moorlands School. Recently Meri has been actively campaigning to stop the proposed changes to the retirement age requirement in Tilehurst’s sheltered housing communities.

Commenting on the news Cllr Daisy Benson, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Reading Borough Council said:

“We are very grateful to our outgoing councillors for all their years of service to their communities.

“James, Janel and Meri are energetic, enthusiastic, and committed campaigners who want to make a difference and give local residents in their area a voice on the Council.”

“All of them are already up and running in their wards and working alongside our councillors and I am confident they will make a fantastic addition to the hardworking Liberal Democrat team on Reading Borough Council.

“I would like to take this opportunity apologise for making derogatory comments during the BBC Question Time programme on the 27^th January especially those relating to Chuka Umunna MP. I made a lot of comments that were insulting that night and I regret that.

“In respect of one particular tweet, no offense was meant but I absolutely acknowledge that it was recklessly worded and liable to an interpretation that was never intended. For that I would like to offer my sincere apologies to Mr Umunna and to anyone else for any offence caused.

“I take the values of the Liberal Democrats very seriously and as someone of mixed heritage myself, I can fully understand why it has upset many people. For that I offer an unreserved apology.”

Paul Burstow MP, Minister for Care Services has helped launch Reading Lib Dems manifesto for the upcoming local elections.

Launching the Lib Dems to “Six to Fix” Cllr Kirsten Bayes, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Reading Borough Council said:

“This year the Council has been forced to live within its means as a result of Labour’s mismanagement of the public finances both locally and nationally.”

“Despite tough decisions as a result of having to make £19 million pounds worth of savings, unlike many Labour-controlled councils here in Reading we have kept libraries, children’s centres and leisure facilities open and increased funding to the voluntary sector.”

“Letting Labour run the Council again is not worth the risk. Only the Lib Dems can ensure that key services are protected”

Lib Dem Deputy Group Leader Cllr Daisy Benson said:

“The Lib Dems working in coalition have cut Labour’s wasteful spending of Council Tax Payer’s money on schemes that don’t deliver for local people ,and frozen Council Tax for the first time in many years.”

“But we recognise there is still much to do to improve services for people who live in Reading.”

“The Lib Dems will continue to focus resources on delivering better services and better outcomes for residents.”

“Six to Fix” in Reading

1. Cut waste, Protect services and keep taxes low

• We will work to cut waste in the Town Hall to get the best deal for local taxpayers.
• We will continue to promote to increase transparency in decision-making and spending.
• We will focus resources on protecting vital services valued by local people.
• We will continue to consult residents on key budget decisions.
• We will work to keep Council Tax as low as possible.

2. Protect services to the vulnerable

• We will ensure the most vulnerable children and adults in Reading get the support they need.
• We will invest in preventative services and intermediate care to help keep older people stay healthy and independent.
• We will work with the voluntary and community sector to help all residents get the most out of life.
• Carers in Reading are unsung heroes. We will prioritise respite care and services for carers to help them live fulfilling lives.

3. A cleaner & Greener Reading:

• This year 12 local centres will receive a deep clean after years of neglect by Labour. Going forward we will ensure that local shopping areas are not overlooked in favour of the town centre.
• Reducing fly-tipping, litter and graffiti remains a priority for the Lib Dems and we will use the tools and powers available to the Council to keep local areas clean and green.
• We will look to increase the range of materials residents can recycle on the doorstep wherever possible.
• We will promote schemes and initiatives that help residents cut carbon emissions and fuel bills in their own homes.
• We will actively promote walking and cycling to reduce carbon emissions and ease congestion.
• We will work and improve rail transport, including Reading Station upgrade.
• We will fix pot-holes and continue to invest in improving roads and pavements in Reading after years of Labour underinvestment.

4. Cutting crime in Reading

• We will work with local Police teams, Neighbourhood Action Groups and residents to keep cutting crime in our neighbourhoods.
• We will invest in the voluntary and community sector to build capable communities.

5. Giving children and young people the best start in life

• We will increase local apprenticeships to improve the life chances of all young people
• We will work hard to ensure all children achieve their full potential by investing funding via the Pupil Premium.
• 1 in 5 children live in poverty in Reading as a result of Labour’s failed policies while in government and at local level. We will prioritise activities at neighbourhood level which reduce the impact of poverty on children.
• We will protect services to vulnerable children and young people.

6. Better housing and decent neighbourhoods for all

• Increasing the supply of affordable housing, particularly family-sized homes will continue to be a top priority.
• We will maintain lifetime tenancies for Council Tenants and continue to invest in Council-owned homes.
• We will continue to invest in estate areas and neighbourhoods across Reading via our unique Decent Neighbourhoods Fund.
• We will work with landlords to improve standards and tackle poor standard in the private rented sector.
• We will continue to take action to reduce the number of empty homes in Reading.

Commenting, Cllr Peter Beard, Chairman of Greater Reading Liberal
Democrats said:

“We have an outstanding set of local campaigners standing for the Lib
Dems this year combining youth, energy and experience.”

“Locally we have a strong reputation for working hard and campaigning
on behalf of local people”

“We are looking to build on our successes in Reading and gain more
seats in the coming elections.”

“I am particularly pleased that we have 7 women standing for us ”

The list of candidates is given below:

In Abbey ward: Georgina Hughes

In Battle ward: John Oakley.

In Caversham ward: Jenny Woods.

In Church ward: Tony Warrell

In Katesgrove: Margaret McNeill

In Kentwood ward: Meri O’Connell

In Minister ward: Julie Somers

In Norcot ward: Roy Perestrelo

In Park ward: Hoyte Swager

In Peppard ward: Maddy Adams

In Redlands: Kirsten Bayes

In Southcote: Dave Warren

In Thames ward: Guy Penman

In Tilehurst: Chris Harris

In Whitley ward: Jamie Wake

The Committee, chaired by the Party Leader until the Liberal Democrats’ entry into Government this year, authors the party’s policy and is responsible for its election manifestos.  It also has powers to take up policy issues as they occur – a key function now the Liberal Democrats are in Government.

16 people – including former MPs Evan Harris and Sandra Gidley – were elected from a record field of 63 people standing for election to a two-year term of office.  Gareth stood on a platform of working for the committee to articulate Liberal Democrat values – including speaking out against the Coalition Government where that is necessary.

Commenting, Gareth says:-
‘It’s going to be more and more important for Liberal Democrats to be able to set out our own policy in coalition.  This will be particularly important if Government policies emerge that were not in the Coalition Agreement and are regressive.  It’s also going to be important for the Party to set out fresh policies in a changing global landscape, to fight the next election as an independent party.

‘I will be making sure that the interests of the people of Reading are represented at the heart of Liberal Democrat policies, and will not hesitate to speak out if the Coalition talks of adopting Conservative policies that are not progressive.’

Cllr Gareth Epps was elected as Group Press Officer and Cllr Peter Beard Group Chair.  Katesgrove’s new Liberal Democrat Councillor Rebecca Rye was elected Group Secretary.

The Liberal Democrats gained a seat on the Borough Council in May’s elections, and have now made gains in each of the last four local elections in Reading.  The balance of Reading Borough Council is currently: Labour 19, Conservative 17, Liberal Democrats 9, Green 1.

Both bodies endorsed it by more than a three-quarters majority. The provisions of the ‘triple lock’ procedure approved by conference in 1998 have therefore been satisfied.

Nevertheless, the Federal Executive believes it appropriate to consult the party’s membership on this important matter. The Federal Executive is therefore calling a special conference to enable the party to debate the coalition agreement reached between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservative Party.

The motion endorsing the agreement – though not the agreement itself – is open to amendment. The amendments selected for debate by the Federal Conference Committee will be published late on Saturday 15th May.

The conference will be held in Birmingham on Sunday 16th May 2010.

Apart from welcoming and closing speeches, there is just one item: the debate on the motion submitted by the Federal Executive endorsing the coalition agreement.

In holding this special conference we are demonstrating again than we are a democratic party which listens to and trusts its members. However we vote, we will be making history; we hope you will be there to take part.

For more information on who can register and how please go to the Special Conference Registrations page. Please note this is an event for Party members-only and advance registration is currently only open to those who are voting members of conference.

Within the Council group Daisy is Deputy Leader and Chair of the Housing and Health Scrutiny panel. She also chairs the Safer Communities (South) Forum.

Nationally Daisy is one of the Liberal Democrat representatives on the Local Government Association’s Safer Communities Board and she is also a board member of the Empty Homes Agency.

Daisy was nominated last year for the Lib Dem Voice “Best Use of Social Media” award in recognition of her innovative use of Facebook and has just been shortlisted for the Online Councillor of the Year award from the Local Government Information Unit.

Daisy Benson says: “I’m starting late in this race but I’ve got loads of energy and I’m confident I’ll be able to get my message out there. I want to build on what I have done in Reading over the past four years so I can help more people and change Reading West for the better.

“In particular I plan to campaign for better housing for all, better health services and real action to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.”

If you would like to help Daisy win in Reading West, please email us or telephone 0118 967 0009. You can also visit her web site www.daisybenson.com

Bob Green served on the council for 13 years before standing down at this year’s local elections in May. He was leader of the Liberal Democrat group for seven years and Mayor in 2000-2001. He also served on Berkshire County Council for three years until it was abolished in 1998.

At a special council meeting on Thursday (13th) Council Leader Jo Lovelock will propose that Bob receives the Honour in recognition of his distinguished service for the Borough of Reading. The Leader of the Conservative group Andrew Cumpsty, will second the motion.

Reading Mayor Peter Beard will then present Bob with a scroll confirming his position as a Freeman. The honour entitles him to drive any sheep he owns through the streets of Reading!

Bob, a retired senior Civil Servant, will attend the ceremony with his wife Jill, daughter Laura and other family members.

Speaking at his home in Caversham Heights, he said: “I am flattered and delighted. I regard it as a great honour. I am particularly pleased because I regard Reading, as it is today, as a town worthy of pride and I am grateful to have been able to make some contribution to this.”

Bob was born in Kent and moved to Reading from London in 1971.

All members of the Greater Reading Liberal Democrats would like to thank Bob for all his hard work and dedication, not only to the party but to the people of Reading and to wish him a long and happy retirement.