On 10 October 2024, residents in the Hanger Hill ward will take part in a by-election to vote for a new ward councillor.
EALING.NEWS has asked all candidates standing 7 questions about who they are, what they hope to deliver and why they want residents to vote for them.
Kate Crossland standing for the Green Party in Hanger Hill answers the 7 questions:
Tell us a bit about yourself, your priorities for the ward and why you want to be councillor for Hanger Hill?
I’m a doctor who trained in West London, and I have made my home in Ealing. I live in Hanger Hill, and my priorities for the ward are very much in common with all who live here – safe, clean streets; good schools and health centres; green spaces for all.
I strongly feel Ealing Council would benefit from having a Green Councillor. I’m passionate about taking action together as a community on trying to reduce our impact on the planet, and also on preparing for changes in our climate. I also have a particular interest in the impact of Council services on health, because of my medical training, and would work to try and address some of the challenges Ealing faces in both housing and social care.
What motivates you?
I was raised to believe you should be involved in your local community, that you should give something back. I’ve always taken part in volunteering – I met my partner through St John Ambulance. As a community, we are strong when we work together and learn from each other, and personally I enjoy talking to people and finding out what matters to them and learning from their experiences.
What is your own personal connection to either Hanger Hill or any other part of the borough?
I’ve lived in Hanger Hill for 15 years, and my daughter goes to a school in the ward, where I am also a parent governor. I’m chair of one of the local Residents Associations. As part of this role, I regularly attend meetings with the police Safer Neighbourhood team where I hear about the issues across the ward.
My involvement in the Green Party means I’ve also campaigned in other parts of the borough, so I have a good understanding of the challenges both in Hanger Hill and across Ealing.
What do you consider to be your 3 top political, work or personal achievements and what impact have they had?
This year I won funding to explore the possibility of a community energy project locally. It’s just the beginning of what could be really innovative model that could open up the possibility of solar energy for many people living in flats. I’m really proud to have won the funding and enjoying learning how to progress the project.
I’m also leading on a project within my professional field to help healthcare become more environmentally sustainable – the project launches in November and will help organisations like hospices reduce their impact on the planet while making sure they can still provide exceptional care and make cost savings. It’s quite a challenge but inspiring to work on.
Within the Green Party we worked to highlight the proposed destructive Council plans at Warren Farm (a rewilded area with rare bird species) – the area is now protected as a nature reserve. This was a great achievement in using the political system to challenge those in power to review decisions, as well as making sure we listened to what the Warren Farm campaigners needed from us.
What do you consider to be the top 3 challenges Hanger Hill faces and how will you as a councillor address them?
Housing – we know new homes are needed to move people out of over-crowding and homelessness; but we also know the types of development happening don’t always address these key issues. I’d work to give residents more voice in decisions and ensure communities directly affected see the benefit of developers profits.
Community safety – crime and anti-social behaviour are a real worry for residents; I’d continue to work with local police on addressing specific problems in the ward as well as advocating for resources to deal with the root causes.
Green spaces – we have some lovely green areas in Hanger Hill and I’d make sure these stay protected, as well as push for funding to make sure they can remain in good condition and are managed properly.
What do you love about Hanger Hill and the borough of Ealing?
I love how we are in a community where we have neighbours from all parts of the world – it feels like you can travel without leaving Ealing! We benefit from being the ‘Queen of the Suburbs’ yet thanks to the Elizabeth line can enjoy big city life easily too. Best of both worlds!
How accessible will you be to Hanger Hill residents and how can they get in contact with you now and if elected how will you ensure you are accessible to them in the future?
I’d hold regular surgeries across the ward, and listen to feedback from residents about the best place to have these. I’d visit as many community groups as possible, to hear directly about the issues people are dealing with. I love a fair or a fete so I’ll go to as many as I can!
I’d also produce regular newsletter to let you know what’s happening locally.
The best way to get in touch with me is through the contact us page on Ealing Green Party’s new website- www.ealing.greenparty.org.uk/
