Sadly, Geoff Walker, who served as a Conservative Councillor for Hatch Lane for 26 years, passed away in March. He is sadly missed by us all.
A by-election will be held to replace him as one of Hatch Lane Ward’s three Councillors on 6 May 2021, the date of the election for Mayor of London and our representative on the Greater London Authority, Emma Best.
The Conservative Candidate for Hatch Lane Ward will be Justin Halabi, a local boy who has lived opposite Heathcote School his whole life. Justin is passionate about seeing our local community thrive; regularly organising community clean-ups and playing a massive part in the fight for appropriate development across the area. He is a patron of local charity Smiles with Grace, which helps those suffering from cancer, and undertakes a key role in organising fundraising projects.
He has also volunteered for over three years with a community centre, helping to deliver youth projects, care for the elderly and local heritage projects. Justin has a law degree, is trained as a barrister and is currently working within financial services.
He hopes to use the breadth of his experience to help develop common sense policies to solve problems in Council.
Justin said: “I want to unite communities under a common aim. That takes communication and actually listening to people’s concerns. If elected, I will work to make sure that the Council hears and considers the views of residents and does not force Walthamstow-centric policies on us in Chingford. I can’t wait to get started. I will work hard to deliver for all residents in Hatch Lane Ward.”