Katie Mansfield is the Liberal Democrat candidate who is currently a councillor in the London borough of Richmond and has previously been an aid worker in Rwanda.

What’s your connection to Bracknell, or why do you want to represent Bracknell? Though I currently live in Twickenham, I have a strong connection to Bracknell through childhood holidays with my aunt in Crowthorne, who lived and worked here as a teacher. Twickenham faces similar issues, such as sewage dumping by Thames Water, reduced railway services from SWR, GP appointment shortages, and a lack of affordable housing. If elected, I am committed to moving to Bracknell and becoming an active part of the community.

What are the three biggest challenges facing Bracknell? Listening to people on the doorstep and in community groups, the top three challenges are

Cost of Living: Rapid price increases have left many struggling with bills. Even those with good salaries are having to make tough choices, such as selling their cars, while others are relying on foodbanks to supplement their groceries.

GP Appointment Access: Many residents find it difficult to get GP appointments, especially since the recent surgery mergers. For example, an 86-year-old woman was told to walk to the surgery at 8 a.m. and wait for a slot, while others face weeks-long waits.

Sewage in the local rivers  There is significant anger that the Conservatives have blocked legislation to criminalise sewage dumping

What issues are you campaigning on, and what causes will you be championing if elected? I will focus on the key concerns raised by residents:

Cost of Living: I advocate for raising the lower tax threshold, increasing statutory maternity pay and its duration, and providing free insulation and heat pumps for low-income households to help with energy costs.

GP Appointments: I will fight for a fair share of the additional 8,000 GPs nationally, support a legal right to see a GP within 24 hours for urgent needs, and collaborate with local surgeries to enhance service delivery.

Sewage: I will push for legislation to criminalise raw sewage dumping in rivers and ensure that Thames Water halts large bonuses and dividends until the problem is resolved.

How will you help struggling high streets and town centres? Drawing on my professional experience of bringing high streets and town centres to life, I will collaborate with the BID and council initiatives to support local businesses. I think that the business rate system is outdated and would replace it with a ‘commercial landowner levy’ that reduces the financial burden on high street businesses and encourage investment in local retail areas. I also support increasing the digital services tax from 2% to 6%.

How can you help make sure people can afford to live here while protecting our green spaces and countryside from development? Affordable housing is a major concern, especially for young people. I will push for the construction of more affordable, environmentally-friendly homes and ensure no properties are left empty. However, we must balance development with preserving green spaces for nature and leisure. In Bracknell, it’s crucial to support planning officers and maintain the distinction between our towns, and plenty of countryside for our wellbeing.

How will you help councils struggling with their finances? Can you help them to deal with the special educational needs crisis? Will you want the government to continue the Household Support Grant? Local government funding cuts have severely impacted Bracknell Forest Council's ability to provide essential SEN support. I will advocate for restoring and increasing funding to ensure adequate SEN services. Although a new centre is being built, it’s insufficient, and I will push for more resources and facilities. Additionally, I support the continuation of the Household Support Grant to assist vulnerable residents.

What will you do to make sure residents don’t lose easy access to NHS services when Frimley Park hospital moves? I would actively campaign at both the Department of Health and Social Care level and through the community engagement forums to ensure that Bracknell residents are not disadvantaged by the needs of the two larger local authorities (Surrey and Hampshire County Councils).  I would be extremely vocal and passionate in ensuring a fair, accessible and appropriate Frimley Park replacement is developed for Bracknell by directly engaging with senior NHS trust leaders and keeping residents up to date on the developing scheme.  If there is a risk that we as a community are losing out I would seek to mobilise support from the Local Authority, patient user groups and continually raise the issue in Parliament.  I know that residents care deeply about Frimley Park, it has delivered excellent care for the community and any replacement must meet this high standard

What car do you drive (do you drive)? A Toyota hybrid.  I’d love to go fully electric and will do when the UK has enough charging points.

What's your favourite film or TV show? Derry Girls. I laugh, cry and cringe alongside the girls…. and love reliving my youth through the 90’s music.

When was the last time you cried? I’m not sure as I cry quite often! Whether I'm happy, sad, or frustrated, it helps me process emotions and think more clearly. Though I’m not sure my kids would agree with my approach!

Have you ever taken illegal drugs? I don’t even smoke!  However, I think that drug use should not be treated as a criminal activity, but drugs policy should be led by the Department of Heath and Social Care.  We could free up police time and reduce court backlogs by diverting people arrested for passion of drugs for personal use into treatment where appropriate.