On 7 May 2026, residents in the Northfield ward will vote to choose who represents them at Ealing Council.
EALING.NEWS has asked all candidates standing to become a councillor, 7 questions about who they are, what they hope to deliver and why they want residents to vote for them.
Here’s what Florence Pinaud, standing for Ealing Community Independents in Northfield, has to say:
Tell us a bit about yourself, your priorities for the ward and why you want to be councillor for Northfield?
Northfield deserves better. Residents raise the same concerns year after year, housing, schools, streets, services – and too often nothing changes. I’m standing because that cycle has to end.
For too long, decisions affecting Northfield have been made behind closed doors and dressed up as consultation after the fact. That is not democracy. Residents deserve to shape decisions about their neighbourhood from the start, not be invited to comment once the decision is already made. As your councillor, I will hold regular street surgeries, open ward meetings, and respond to every resident who contacts me.
Too many families are dealing with rising rents, poor living conditions, and the daily cost-of-living crisis. Every child deserves proper SEND support and a school that isn’t stretched to breaking point. Residents deserve clean streets, protected parks, and services that work for every generation. These are not luxuries, they are the basics, and fighting for them is the job.
My background as a trade union representative has taught me how to listen, how to challenge, and how to stand alongside people who aren’t always heard. I know how to keep going until something actually changes.
I’m standing for Northfield to be a councillor who puts people before party and community before profit – not just at election time, but every single day.
I’ve lived in Ealing for over 30 years. Both my children went to school here, I used to work locally and I now work for a trade union as an executive assistant. Most of my closest friends live in the borough. This is genuinely my home, and that’s exactly why I want to serve it.
I have been a trade union representative for nearly two years, and serve as branch secretary at work, which has given me real skills in listening, representing people fairly, and challenging decisions that aren’t in the community’s interest. My priorities are housing affordability, schools and young people, and putting residents back in charge of decisions that affect their neighbourhood. Too often, people who live in an area have the best ideas about fixing it – but nobody takes the time to ask them. I will.
What motivates you?
Making a real difference to people’s lives. I’ve seen what happens when residents come together and push back – libraries stay open, parks are protected, community services survive. That kind of collective action is what motivates me every single day.
What is your personal connection to the ward or borough?
I’ve lived in Ealing since my early 20s – more than half my life. My children grew up here, I’ve worked here, and I’ve been involved in local campaigns for decades. This place matters to me personally, not just politically.
What do you consider to be your 3 top political, work or personal achievements and what impact have they had?
Participating actively in the campaign against library closures in 2017-18, which successfully pushed back some of the council plans and kept vital community spaces open. Campaigning to protect the trees at Gunnersbury Park, standing up against decisions made without proper resident involvement. And helping save South Ealing Playgroup in 2005 when it faced closure, ensuring families kept access to vital early years support. Each of these showed me that when residents organise, they win.
What do you consider to be the top 3 challenges Northfield faces and how will you as a councillor address them?
First, housing affordability – too many residents are trapped in expensive, insecure private rentals with nowhere affordable to go. I will push for more social housing, stronger landlord enforcement, and real rent controls. Second, the Lammas Park flooding provision, which has been inadequate for too long and needs urgent revisiting with residents at the table. Third, noise and road safety, the impact of cars and motorbikes on residential streets is a quality-of-life issue that deserves proper enforcement and community-led solutions.
What do you love about Northfield and the borough of Ealing?
The people. Ealing is one of the most diverse, community-minded places in London, full of residents who care deeply about where they live and are willing to fight for it. There is real neighbourhood pride here, and I want to honour that by being a councillor who is genuinely worthy of it.
How accessible will you be to Northfield 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?
Completely. I will hold regular street surgeries, attend community meetings, and respond to every resident who contacts me. I believe a councillor who is hard to reach is not doing their job. If elected, residents will always be able to get in touch directly and they will always get a response. You can contact me through info@ealingindependents.org
Click here for all Northfield candidates standing.
Full coverage of the 2026 Ealing Council local elections and candidates standing can be found here.
