Minster (Reading ward)

Minster is an electoral ward of the Borough of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire. It lies south-west of the town centre, comprising the suburbs of Coley, Coley Park, and that part of West Reading bounded by the Bath Road, Tilehurst Road and Parkside Road. It also includes a large tract of undeveloped flood-plain reaching south between the Holy Brook and the River Kennet, together with the commercial properties that flank Rose Kiln Lane (A33) between the Berkeley Avenue road bridge and the bridge across the River Kennet. The ward is bordered, in clockwise order, by Battle, Abbey, Katesgrove, Whitley and Southcote wards. It lies entirely within the Reading West parliamentary constituency.[2][3][4]

Minster Ward, Borough of Reading

Clockwise from top left: Brunswick Street, Coley Hill, Southcote Road and Coley Park flats
Minster Ward, Borough of Reading
Location within Berkshire
Area3.09 km2 (1.19 sq mi) [1]
Population10,492 [1]
• Density3,395/km2 (8,790/sq mi)
OS grid referenceSU7072
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
PoliceThames Valley
FireRoyal Berkshire
AmbulanceSouth Central
UK Parliament

As of 2016, there were just over 10,000 people living in Minster ward, of whom 21% were aged under 16, 12.6% were aged 65 and over, and 29% were born outside the UK. The population lives in a total of just under 4,700 dwellings, of which almost 50% are in purpose-built blocks of flats, and around 20% each are terraced houses or semi-detached houses, with detached houses and flat conversions making up the rest. Of the population aged between 16 and 74, approximately 70% are in employment and 5.5% are unemployed. Of those in employment, 50% are in managerial, professional or technical occupations, with 26% in professional occupations.[1]

As with all Reading wards, apart from smaller Mapledurham ward, the ward elects three councillors to Reading Borough Council. Elections since 2004 are held by thirds, with elections in three years out of four. These councillors are currently: Liz Terry (2016; Labour and Co-operative), Ellie Emberson (2018; Labour) and Paul Gittings (2019; Labour).[5][6][7][8]

During the 2018 Local Elections, the 19-year-old Councillor Emberson enjoyed national media attention as the youngest councillor elected nationwide, and the youngest female councillor ever elected to Reading Borough Council. In various interviews with national news agencies, Emberson emphasised her commitment to representing everyone in her community with a focus on tackling the issues young people face today. As well as her success in her council election, Emberson has also been tipped as 'one to watch' in British politics with Martin Salter, the MP for Reading West between 1997 and 2010, publicly stating that Ellie "will be a name to watch in Reading politics in the future. She might even be the MP for Reading West one day".[9][10]

References
  1. "Ward profile for Minster Ward" (PDF). Reading Borough Council. January 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  2. "Final recommendations on the future electoral arrangements for Reading" (PDF). Report to the Electoral Commission. Boundary Committee for England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  3. "Wards". Reading Borough Council. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  4. "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 15 May 2017. Select Unitary Authority Wards, Westminster Constituencies, and Show Name before panning and zooming to Reading.
  5. "Minster Ward Councillors". Reading Borough Council. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  6. "Young councillor determined to silence critics after barrage of abusive comments". Reading Chronicle. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  7. Gavin, Chris. "Ellie Emberson". Reading & District Labour Party. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  8. "Local Election Results - 2 May 2019". Reading Borough Council. Archived from the original on 4 May 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  9. "Ellie Emberson - Minster". Reading Labour via YouTube. 29 April 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  10. Serck, Linda (4 May 2018). "Teen councillor to bring 'new blood'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
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