A letter from Howard Woollaston

May 2019

Dear All,

I was delighted to be elected District Councillor for Lambourn, particularly by a convincing margin of 63% of the vote. Thank you for your support and I will do my best to represent you and issues that arise for our community.

As you know I am new to this role and I have a lot to learn, including countless induction meetings (!) so please bear with me over the first few weeks as I get to grips with what needs to be done.

I worked very hard over the election period to try to knock on every door in Lambourn and Eastbury and got to about 85%. Apologies to those I missed but now this is a one-member ward through boundary changes there is only so much that one person can do in a relatively short campaign period. Key issues that came out on the doorstep apart from the dreaded B word, in no particular order, were: –

Special needs education
School transport
Affordable/social housing
Sovereign Housing
Planning applications
B 4000 traffic
Weed clearance in the river
Ensuring that the school continues to improve
Shopping in Lambourn

The continuing success of our Racing Industry, which generates £23 Million to the local economy, is key but this clearly needs to be balanced against the other needs of the community and I look forward to working with Will Rigall of the Jockey Club and the trainers to minimise any conflict.

I can never be as accessible as Graham Jones, based in the pharmacy, who along with Gordon Lundie I would like to thank on behalf of us all for their long service to the ward. I will be posting a card through every door in the next few weeks with my contact details that I would ask you to keep so that you can get in touch with me if you need any help or guidance on matters relating to the Council. I am more than happy to come and see you to discuss them.

I feel honoured and privileged to be appointed your District Councillor. I intend to be “hands on” to help where I can and look forward to meeting as many as possible of you over the next 4 years.

With best wishes,
Howard Woollaston
West Berkshire District Councillor for Lambourn
07836 718100
Woollastonhoward1@gmail.com