Minster Ward
About the Ward
Minster is an electoral ward of the Borough of Reading, situated to the immediate south-west of the town centre, with a population of just over 10,000 people.
It falls within the Reading West Parliamentary Constituency and is bordered by the Battle, Abbey, Katesgrove, Whitley and Southcote wards.
Just under half the properties in Minster are purpose built flats or tenements, with a varied mix of council housing and private owner occupier among the near 5,000 dwellings.
As with all wards, apart from smaller Mapledurham, it elects three councillors to Reading Borough Council, with the Labour Party holding all three seats since 2010.
These councillors are currently, in order of election: Paul Gittings (Lab), Liz Terry (Lab and Coop) and Marian Livingston (Lab).
Marian Livingston, a former Mayor of Reading, has announced her intention to stand down after the May borough council elections in 2018, with former UK youth parliament member Ellie Emberson selected to fight the seat for Labour in that election. (link to Ellie's stuff)
Minster Ward Labour Party is chaired by Malcolm Smith, with Andy Gilpin as the secretary (maybe more links to their email addresses)
As well as ward meetings, there is regular campaigning and a newsletter is regularly delivered -- Minster Matters -- which keeps residents up to date with local issues and councillor activity.
Meet the Councillors
Ellie Emberson
Ellie Emberson is nineteen years old and has lived in Reading West since she was born. She lived in Coley until the age of seventeen, first on Brook Street West and later on Trelleck Road. She currently lives on Water Road in Norcot. Ellie has completed her A levels and is currently studying Law part time with the Open University. Ellie is also working as a Legal Ellie Emberson is nineteen years old and has lived in Reading since she was born. Ellie lived in Coley until the age of seventeen, first on Brook Street West and later on Trelleck Road. She currently lives in Norcot ward with her mum and sister. Ellie has completed her A levels and is currently studying Law part time with the Open University whilst working as a legal secretary at a local law firm in Reading. Ellie has been involved in the Labour party since 2015 and was previously involved in the youth parliament.
Paul Gittings