Candidates

Debs Hollingsworth
Chingford & Woodford Green Community Independents
Standing in Larkswood

Deborah has lived in the Highams Park and South Chingford area for over 15 years and is deeply embedded in local community life. A teacher for more than 20 years, Debs is standing to ensure local decision-making works for everyone.

Jennifer Larbie
Chingford & Woodford Green Community Independents
Standing in Larkswood

Jennifer is a local resident, mum and member of St Edmund’s Church. She brings extensive experience in trade union organising, policy development and campaigning; and currently leads advocacy, policy and campaigns at Christian Aid.

Sarah Chaney
Chingford & Woodford Green Community Independents
Standing in Larkswood

Sarah brings over a decade of experience campaigning for better housing and tenant rights. With a background in arts, education and health union work, Sarah has also helped establish youth provision and supported a wide range of community wellbeing activities.

Liz Biggs
Green Party
Standing in Lea Bridge

Liz is a documentary maker who has lived in Lea Bridge for over a decade. She is also involved in local community work, which includes scrutinising development plans, organising community forums and street parties, and campaigning for council action. Liz wants to push back on the broken promises made by previous councils, and stand up for a liveable, affordable ward for all.

Solene Fabios
Green Party
Standing in Lea Bridge

Solene has lived and worked in East London for over 17 years and has long been vocal in campaigning with and on behalf of local resident groups. She has become increasingly frustrated with politicians who fail to properly represent the people they were elected to serve. She wants to do a better job of addressing residents’ concerns than the current unengaged Labour councillors.

Rosie Rowlands
Green Party
Standing in Lea Bridge

Rosie is a Londoner who has lived in the Lea Bridge ward for over a decade. She is a mum and has worked in the entertainment industry as a circus artist for 20 years. Rosie wants to push back against big business and monied interests to put resident’s needs and concerns first. She hopes to scrutinise all plans affecting Lea Bridge residents, and advocates for a joyful community approach to local politics.

David Berrie
Green Party
Standing in St James

David is a Waltham Forest local who works in the NHS as an art psychotherapist for CAMHS. As a Unite rep, he doubled union membership in his workplace and was elected to the London and Eastern Regional Industrial Committee for Health. David has been organising in this community for years, inside and outside of party politics. He believes this ward deserves better than what Labour has delivered.

Martin Edobor
Green Party
Standing in st James

Martin is a GP who grew up in Newham and now calls Waltham Forest home. He is running for councillor after seeing how poor housing, inequality and lack of access to care affects people’s health directly. If elected, he wants to get the basics right: GP services, planning decisions made openly, and public money used to build long-term resilience rather than short-term profit.

Anna Rose Kerr
Green Party
Standing in St James

Anna Rose grew up in Aotearoa / New Zealand, and was drawn to St James’ long history of artisans and makers. She owns a small business, where she uses creative practice to imagine better futures — redesigning parks, recruiting teachers and helping women advocate for better outcomes. She is advocating for long term community engagement, with the council investing proactively in the next generation.

Simon Deville
Chingford & Woodford Green Community Independents
Standing in Valley

Simon lives locally and works in higher education supporting student wellbeing. A lifelong trade unionist, Simon wants to promote community-led politics and tackle growing inequality. He supports the development of local People’s Assemblies to give residents a direct voice in South Chingford and the wider area. As a councillor, he would work to strengthen community connections and ensure residents’ priorities are clearly represented.

Saqeeb Howlander
Chingford & Woodford Green Community Independents
Standing in Valley

Saqeeb, a new father and local resident, is standing to help build a community where everyone can thrive and feel a genuine sense of belonging. With a professional background in financial planning and analysis, he brings expertise in governance, financial oversight, and accountability. His experience as Chair and Treasurer of local sports clubs equips him to help protect vital services and ensure the responsible use of public resources.

Matt Romo
Chingford & Woodford Green Community Independents
Standing in Valley

Matt was born at Whipps Cross and raised in Chingford. He has worked across health and social care in the NHS, local authority and third sector, supporting people with disabilities, learning difficulties and complex needs. Matt is committed to amplifying lived experience and strengthening community engagement. As a disabled person, he brings a strong focus on access, inclusion and tackling isolation.

Alex Muhumuza
Independent
Standing in Wood Street

Born and raised in the borough, Alex has called Wood St home for 20+ years. He is an education professional and governor who volunteers locally for the likes of Salaam Peace and Wood St First. Alex supports investment in accessible public spaces and more social housing, and wants to serve Wood St as a councillor who listens, acts, and puts residents first.

and more to come!