Liberal Democrats strengthen their position

THE Liberal Democrats strengthened their position on Wokingham Borough Council.

Eighteen seats were contested with the Lib-Dems taking 11, three more than previously, the Conservatives four and Labour three.

The Lib Dems now have a total of 26 seats compared with the Tories’ 22 and Labour’s five and one independent so will continue to control the council.

Conservative candidate Michael Firmager held his seat in Sonning, winning 656 votes ahead of Green candidate Merv Boniface with 257 and Labour’s Philipa Hills with181.

Councillor Firmager said: “I am pleased that people voted for me and I will do my best for them. I worked pretty hard, like we all did. I plodded miles and got the messages and leaflets out.

“It was also over the last four years because you can win or lose over those years as well. I got involved with the community.”

He said his priorities were traffic, river pollution and planning.

Cllr Firmager said: “There

are some very dangerous roads and lots of planning applications around the ward in areas that don’t have conservation protection.”