COVERING WOKINGHAM, FINCHAMPSTEAD, EARLEY, WINNERSH, SHINFIELD, WOODLEY, TWYFORD & SURROUNDING AREAS
WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH
Thursday, June 23, 2022
No. 369 90p
Vote held on future of council elections By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today
FAKE IS THE FLAVOUR AT PUB FEST P2-3
WOKINGHAM Borough Council was last night expected to reject plans to revamp local elections.
The proposal for all-out elections to be held every four years was recommended for approval by council officers, but it was expected it would not get a two-thirds majority to see it passed by councillors. They were voting during a special council meeting held after we had gone to press. If approved, it would see annual elections, by thirds, replaced by all out elections every four years, starting in 2024. Cllr Clive Jones, leader of Wokingham Borough Council and Wokingham Liberal Democrats, said he would vote against the changes. He said: “We think the democratic process of elections every year is the right approach and councillors should be accountable on an annual basis. “By changing to every four years we are reducing opportunities for residents to give their views. “We believe they should have their voices heard.” At an executive meeting on Thursday, February 17, the council agreed to consult stakeholders on moving to a whole council electoral cycle. There were 3,067 responses to the consultation, with 54% voting in favour of the move and 46% in favour of retaining the current arrangement. Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, leader of the opposition Wokingham Conservative Group, believes councillors should follow the consultation and vote in favour of the change. She said: “The Conservatives on Wokingham Borough Council believe in respecting what the public have to say, and we will vote for the option that they have chosen. “Clive Jones said back in April that he believes in listening to the electorate, the people that he’s there to serve. “I hope, therefore, that he will put aside his political interests, listen to residents and vote for all-out elections as the public have told him to.”
OPEN-AIR CONCERT FOR UKRAINE P5
KINDEST CUT: Twins give the greatest gift: their hair • p4
WOODLEY SENDS GIFTS TO UKRAINE
Vital medicines delivered as part of latest mercy dash to our neighbour
EXCLUSIVE
By DANIEL BLACKHAM news@wokingham.today WOODLEY has stepped up again to deliver crucial aid to Ukrainian refugees.
Last week, Woodley resident Ronnie Goodberry was joined by three others as they travelled to the Polish and Ukrainian border with two pallets of medical supplies, food and toiletries. Mr Goodberry described the journey as “physically and
emotionally draining”. He said: “On the day we arrived to deliver the aid, a young lady came to the hub with only a small bag and the clothes she was wearing. “She had been on the road for three weeks and her only possession was her little pet dog which she couldn’t leave behind to starve. “It’s not headline news anymore but people need to hear this stuff to understand it is still going on.” n Continued on page 4
FETE ATTRACTS THE CROWDS P8-9
CHEERS! WARGRAVE ENJOYS FESTIVAL P35 ISSN 2634-8330 25
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