Daisy Benson Biography
I was first elected in May 2006. I have lived in Reading since 2003 – moving to the town like many people for work reasons. I have lived in and around central Reading for three years and work full time for a large public sector organisation.
I am Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Reading Borough Council and spokesperson for the Lib Dems on housing issues in Reading.
I am Chair of the Housing, Health and Community Care Scrutiny Panel and Vice-Chair of the Corporate, Community and External Affairs Panel.
Campaigns
Environment and transport
I have been actively campaigning to improve the urban environment in Redlands. In particular I have campaigned for improvements to Eldon Square Gardens and Cintra Park, as well as extending access to newer parks such as Addington Road play area. I am keen to preserve the historic conservation areas and buildings within Redlands, as well as the unique character of our terraced areas. To this end, I have been campaigning to reduce flytipping and graffiti, as well as working hard to get the Council to use its powers against landlords who fail to maintain their properties.
Improving opportunities to recycle is very important to residents and myself. I am campaigning to extend the types of materials that the Council can collect from the doorstep, as well as improving the reliability of waste collection services.
Better public transport is a key issue in central Reading, and I am keen to see bus services and facilities for cyclists improved in particular.
Better housing
I am campaigning for better services for all tenants of Council properties including helping individual tenants with allocation issues, housing repairs and assistance if they are elderly or disabled. I am currently Housing and Community Safety spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat group on Reading Borough Council.
Crime and Anti-social behaviour
I am currently Chair of the South Reading Safer Forum and I am an active member of the North Whitley NAG and the Reading-wide Safer Reading Campaign.
I am keen to support residents affected by anti-social behaviour problems and where necessary engage the Police and other authorities to tackle issues. Recently I campaigned to get alley gating installed in parts of the ward affected by flytipping and other anti-social behaviour. I have also worked with residents to address issues of noise and other nuisance behaviour relating to licensed premises.
