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.
Sean Hanrahan standing for the Conservatives 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 am a fourth-generation Ealing resident, born at Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal, and I currently live and work in Ealing. I work for a national charity that supports Ealing residents, including those in Hanger Hill, by helping them overcome barriers to employment. As a sub-3-hour marathon runner and a member of the Ealing Southall & Middlesex Athletics Club, I am deeply connected to the community. I want to become a councillor for Hanger Hill because I am passionate about the area and its green spaces, and I am committed to protecting them from overdevelopment for future generations.
What motivates you?
I first became involved in local politics when Gurnell Leisure Centre closed in 2020. Like many residents of my generation, I learned to swim there and was disappointed by its closure and the neglect that led to its deterioration. I was also concerned about the Council’s plans to build on the protected green space surrounding the pool, which has been used for years by grassroots sports clubs and residents for training and exercise. After attending a public meeting about the pool’s future, I was inspired by the efforts of the Save Gurnell team. Since then, I have been actively campaigning on various local issues that I believe are vital to the well-being of our community.
What is your own personal connection to either Hanger Hill or any other part of the borough?
As a fourth-generation Ealing resident and lifelong member of the community, I take immense pride in being from our small but wonderful part of the world. For years, I have worked directly with Hanger Hill residents, helping them overcome various barriers and improve their lives.
What do you consider to be your 3 top political, work or personal achievements and what impact have they had?
I have supported hundreds of Ealing residents, including those in the Hanger Hill ward, in overcoming barriers to employment through coaching, mentoring, and targeted interventions. I achieved a personal best of 2 hours and 50 minutes in my first attempt at the London Marathon, making all those winter night laps around Hanger Hill Park worthwhile! Additionally, I successfully campaigned for the replacement of a bridge crossing the Grand Union Canal in Ealing, following a petition I organised that gathered over 400 signatures.
What do you consider to be the top 3 challenges Hanger Hill faces and how will you as a councillor address them?
In recent conversations with hundreds of residents, the most common concerns have been the recent surge in car thefts and antisocial behaviour across the ward, the loss of our valuable green spaces to high-rise developments, and the persistent issues of fly-tipping and littering.
If elected I pledge to:
– Take a tough stance on crime and antisocial behaviour in the ward by pressing the police and the council for more CCTV and regular patrols of the area.
– Protect our valued green spaces and fight against overdevelopment.
– Tackle fly tipping head on with demands for tougher action on perpetrators and increased CCTV for hotspots.
What do you love about Hanger Hill and the borough of Ealing?
Ealing has been a wonderful place to live and grow up, with its character, heritage, and green spaces attracting many to the area. Hanger Hill ward is exceptionally well-connected to the rest of London, with several tube stations nearby. Hanger Hill Park is a beautiful spot and one of the best locations in the borough for hill training.
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?
If elected, I intend to be a highly visible and dedicated councillor for Hanger Hill. I enjoy engaging with residents on the doorstep and listening to their concerns, and I will continue doing so if elected. I pledge to attend all public meetings and hold regular online forums to ensure those unable to attend in person still have a voice.
