Peppard Ward Independent News

Putting People First!

Why Independent? Cllr Mark Ralph responds: “When I was first asked to stand for election as a Conservative Councillor in 2004, I did so on the basis that I would not compromise my personal principles.”

“Jamie Chowdhary’s deselection and the subsequent vendetta against him by those within Reading East Conservative Association was a disgrace. In-fighting and internal politics were already impeding Conservative Councillors’ ability to serve their residents and the behaviour of the Association’s leadership towards Jamie was such that it was no longer an organisation that I wished to belong to.” Other Conservative Councillors left the Association too but have since crept back, no doubt hoping that no one will notice!

Mark says: “As a Ward Councillor, I have always followed the principle of ‘People First, Politics Second’ and in addition to people’s day to day concerns, I am now freer to focus on those things that my residents tell me matter most: quality services, safer communities, support for older residents and vulnerable children, protection of the environment, good schools, more school places, and better value for money for the Council Taxpayer.” Thank You! To all those that voted for “Following Jamie’s experience, I fully expect Jamie Chowdhary in the 2012 Cllr Willis and his colleagues within the elections, thank you. Reading East Conservative Association to We were overwhelmed by the conduct a very unpleasant campaign leading number of people that came up to the 2014 elections. forward to support him and on the day, he took just under I hope that people will see this for what it is 800 votes – unprecedented for and judge me on my many achievements for an Independent but, sadly the residents of Peppard Ward.” insufficient for him to retain his position as a Councillor

Councillor Mark Ralph T: 0118 948 1615 E: [email protected] Twitter: @Councillor1UK Website: www.PeppardWard.com Promoted by Jamie Chowdhary, on behalf of the Peppard Independents Organisation of, 16c Upton Road, Reading, RG30 4BJ. Printed by The Valpee Printing Company of 1-3 Tidmarsh Street, Reading RG30 1HX Putting People First! Day to Day From the repair of streetlights to antisocial behaviour, public transport and policing, Mark is happy to take up residents’ concerns. Mark is the only Peppard Ward Councillor to regularly attend NAG (Neighbourhood Action Group) Meetings and the Reading Police IAG (Independent Advisory Group). Since election in 2004, Mark has worked closely with the local Police team to increase Police numbers in Caversham, reduce antisocial behaviour and reduce graffiti. Mark is the only Peppard Ward Councillor to regularly attend EVAs (Environmental Visual Audits) in the Ward, while actively working with residents on local Environment, Parking and Speeding issues. Environment: Roads, Potholes, Parks & Ponds Since his first election, Mark has responded to residents’ concerns on a range of issues, gaining pedestrian refuges and the resurfacing and changed marking of various roads and footpaths e.g. Kiln Road, Henley Road, Grove Road, Rotherfield Way, The Ridings, Southdown Road.

Mark’s application for a ‘Local Area Enhancement Scheme’ led to introduction of the pelican crossing on the Peppard Road, mini roundabout at the junction of Lowfield Road/Buckingham Drive, footpath to Budgens shops, dropped kerbs on Lowfield Road and the new footway from the Milestone Centre. Sadly Phases 2&3 of this project were curtailed by Cllr Willis when he was Lead Councillor for Transport. Mark said: “Current road conditions are at their worst since I first became a Councillor. I am pleased to hear that monies have been found to fill our potholes but repairs are of inferior quality and the prospect for the future is of greater deterioration.” Over recent years Mark has worked with the Council’s Parks Department for a more effective grass-cutting regime while gaining regular clearance of the areas from Surley Row to Stuart Close, between Buckingham Drive and Knights Way/ from Emmer Green Pond to Evesham Road, at the end of the Peppard Road and within Caversham Park Village. The subject of fishing in Caversham Park Pond prompted Mark to undertake a survey of residents in 2012. Concerns were identified and the area has since been cleared, broken fencing removed and agreement reached on on-going maintenance. Mark has also supported Resident and Community Groups wishing to become involved in the maintenance and enhancement of our environment, such as the Blossom Tree

Planting Group, so active in replacing trees in Emmer Green.

www.PeppardWard.com Parking & Public Transport The Car Park by the Budgens parade of shops remains a major issue and following Mark’s involvement of the Councils Health & Safety Officer and Legal Department, Mark has written to the Management Company, expressing the view that the Company is in clear breach of its duty of care towards users of the land, offering to support any resident taking legal action against the Company if any injury is sustained there. Mark acknowledges, “Parking is also an issue in close proximity to schools – and we have five primary schools in Peppard Ward.” Following discussion with residents, Mark has pushed for significant changes to the restrictions imposed on across the Ward. On the subject of Public Transport, Mark says: “The absence of a direct bus service from all but the northern edge of Caversham Park Village into Caversham village was one of the first issues that I raised with Reading Buses after the 2012 elections.” From 2 July a new 28A bus service was introduced. While this is only three buses per morning, return journeys can be made on other buses, as before. He adds: “I hope residents have used it, to justify its retention.” Wider Issues In addition to day to day issues, Mark pursues his interest in Education, Children’s Services and Support Services for our older residents. Within these areas, key issues include the provision of sufficient school places, in the right place – a subject on which Mark has campaigned since 2005, encouraging formation of a cross-party Board in 2008/9 and signing-off the major expansions to Katesgrove, Wilson and St John’s Primary Schools and Highdown Secondary, when Lead Councillor in 2010/11. Having introduced 50Plus+ meetings for older residents at St Barnabas Hall (2007-2012), Mark also worked with Age Concern to establish Tai Chi – launched in 2008 and still running for nearly 80 people every Wednesday. Mark is an active member of the Council’s Adult Safeguarding Panel, Reading Older People’s Partnership Board and keen advocate of Caversham-based Day Care and Care Home facilities. Mark said: “I am alarmed at suggestions that Albert Road Day Care and the Arthur Clark Care Home facilities may be closed because of the Labour Group’s long-term failure to maintain them and the allegedly prohibitive cost of doing so now.” “Many of our older residents in Caversham do not want to be ‘transported’ off to Southcote, Tilehurst or south Reading. Many have family, friends and a long association with Caversham that they don’t wish to move away from in their final years.”

For full details and the latest updated information please visit our website at: www.PeppardWard.com In the news….

Resident Survey To participate in our online survey, go to www.peppardward.com and follow the link. Your views are important to us and will inform future policy and campaigns.

Street Supporters Our aim is to identify one, or more, people in every road, to identify local issues among local residents as soon as they arise. This will enable us to act quickly, circulate information and propose solutions. If neighbours can agree a ‘street supporter’, please email or write to Mark at the address below with your name, email address, postal address/postcode and telephone number. He will be in touch

To talk to Mark If you would like to discuss any of the above, have other matters of concern or would like to support Mark in his work for the people of Peppard Ward, please contact him at his monthly surgery at Budgens car park, (regular updates are available on www.reading.gov.uk or www.peppardward.com), call him on 0118 948 1615 or email him at [email protected]. Have a look at the new, upgraded website now!

Councillor Mark Ralph T: 0118 948 1615 E: [email protected] Twitter: @Councillor1UK Website: www.PeppardWard.com