Ayo was selected by the local labour party as a council candidate for Caversham ward for the election in 2019.
She campaigned for period poverty, greater funding for schools and support for older people through health and social care and led the petition with the MP and council that saved the local post office.
She was elected a Councillor for Caversham in 2019 in a three-year term till May 2022, winning the previously conservative seat.
In November 2021, she was appointed the Deputy Mayor for Reading in a role she held till the end of her elected term.
As a Councillior, she delivered for residents by:
– Completing casework resolving issues raised with me;
– Being a listening ear and a helpful pair of hands when residents needed it;
– Attending ward surgeries listening to concerns;
– Door Knocking to hear your views;
– Regulars updates via quarterly blogs;
– Being your voice on committees.
– Working with Reading Climate Change Partnership, running a series on sustainability, working with partners on a water theme that forms part of the Reading Climate Strategy to 2025;
– Co-founding Plastic Free Caversham which has helped 14 business champions who have been certified, 20 business allies, 3 schools, and 3 community groups to replace three single-use plastic items and progress on their sustainability journey. We held litter picks and arranged fundraisers for a local refill station that will now be installed in the ward this summer in partnership with Thames Water;
– Working to create more wildflower meadows to save the bees.
– Working with Reading Museum to create and launch a ‘How to be an active workshop’ for young people empowering them. I consulted with Reading Museum to improve education on black history across Reading which resulted in the amazing workshop and training offered by the museum to schools across the borough;
The below contains historical blog posts and updates from her elected term.
Ayo is honoured to represent Caversham as a Labour and Cooperative Councillor and is thankful to everyone who voted in the local elections (02.05.19), whoever they voted for as she believe it’s so important to take part in democracy. See the election results here.
She is excited to continue actively working for the community. Blogging is one of the ways she will share her activities as your councillor.
What does Ayo stand for?
Committees & Panels
Councillors sit on committees and panels representing the local communities they represent. Ayo sits on the following:
- Planning Application Committee – Vice Chair (Held Role May 2019- May 2022) & Planning Management Committee (May 2019-May 2022)
The Planning Applications Committee is set up under Sections 101 and 102 of the Local Government Act 1972, to be responsible for all functions relating to town and country planning and development control specified in the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) Regulations, 2000, and other functions indicated in the table in Part 3 of the Constitution.
2. Adult Social Care, Children’s Services and Education Committee (May 2019- May 2022)
The Adult Social Care, Children’s Services and Education Committee is responsible for the statutory and non-statutory functions relating to Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Education and Health and setting the policy framework for those functions for which the Committee is responsible.
3. Parenting Panel (May 2019 – May 2021)
A panel to address the needs of looked after children in Reading Borough Council
4. Housing, Neighbourhoods and Leisure Committee (May 2021 – May 2022)
The Housing, Neighbourhoods and Leisure Committee is responsible for place” services of the authority – Environment & Consumer Services; Housing; Licensing; Neighbourhoods and Community Services, Community Safety
· Recreation; Arts and Cultural Services
· Green and clean environment – streetcare, parks and sport
· Crime and disorder scrutiny
· Partnerships: Community Safety and Neighbourhood Action Groups, waste disposal (Re3)
5. AWE Local Liason Committee (May 2019-May 2021)
6. Investigating and Disciplinary Committee (May 2021 – May 2022)
To deal with disciplinary matters relating to the Head of Paid Service (Chief Executive), the Section 151 Officer (Executive Director of Resources) and the Monitoring Officer (Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services) (‘relevant officers’), including the authority:
- To implement sanctions other than dismissal of a ‘relevant officer’, including suspension;
- To make representations to the Independent Panel in the event the Committee makes a recommendation to dismiss a ‘relevant officer’.
For more information on committees, please see Reading Borough Council Page here.
Watch this space for updates on Cllr Sokale activities.
Councillor Blog posts:
Ayo Sokale 