By-Election Set for Shinfield Village Ward — Full Candidate Line-Up Announced

Shinfield, UK — The Shinfield Parish Council by-election for the Shinfield Village Ward will take place on Tuesday 24 March 2026, with local residents heading to the polls to fill a vacant seat on the parish council. The election follows the publication of a notice of election by Wokingham Borough Council and forms part of parish governance arrangements for the Shinfield area.

Why the Election Is Happening

A casual vacancy arose on Shinfield Parish Council in the Shinfield Village Ward earlier this year. Under electoral rules, when a vacancy cannot be filled by co-option, a by-election is called to give electors in the ward a chance to select a new representative.

Confirmed Candidates for Shinfield Village Ward

The Returning Officer at Wokingham Borough Council has published the Statement of Persons Nominated, confirming the residents who will stand for election on 24 March:

🗳️ Candidates Standing

Barrie James Gilmour — Independent

Hilary Pollock — Conservative Party

Dominic Rider — Liberal Democrats

Edward Shaw — Independent

These four candidates have all been validly nominated and will appear on the ballot when polls open across the ward.

Polling Details and Voter Information

Polling stations will be open from 7 am to 10 pm on Tuesday 24 March 2026. Residents aged 18 or over and registered to vote in the Shinfield Village Ward are entitled to take part in the by-election.

Voters are reminded to bring photo ID to the polling station under current UK electoral requirements, and deadlines for postal and proxy voting are set in advance of polling day.

What’s at Stake

The successful candidate will serve as a parish councillor for Shinfield Village Ward, representing local residents on the parish council — a body responsible for community services, local amenities, planning responses, and grassroots participation in civic life.

With the parish council covering a range of issues from community events to neighbourhood planning, this by-election gives voters a direct say in who will help shape local priorities and decisions for the coming years.