Following the May local elections, the Green Party now have five seats on Redbridge Council, with Kallan Greybe and Monika Patel becoming the first Green councillors to represent South Woodford
After campaigning to represent the people of South Woodford, we must reintroduce ourselves as two of your new councillors, Councillor Monika Patel and Councillor Kallan Greybe. With a turnout of nearly 50%, we are extremely grateful to everyone who voted for us! To those who placed their votes elsewhere, it is our duty to demonstrate through action and hard work that we are dedicated to improving local life for everyone.
South Woodford has a diverse community of people with different needs and concerns. To address these, we will hold meetings with residents and have regular councillor drop-ins, where you can talk to us in person. Over the next four years, we will work closely with the community, prioritising our schools, transport and natural spaces.
South Woodford has many young people, for whom education is a top priority. Many families are struggling to get the help they need, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The processes currently in place are often confusing, with long waiting lists and very little information. As your councillors, we want to change this and make support for local children more accessible and available.
Additionally, we know changes to local bus routes have adversely impacted residents, so we will be exploring how to push to improve these routes. We also care about protecting our local natural areas. As signatories of the River Roding Trust and Epping Forest Heritage Trust pledges, we will always act to preserve and improve green spaces in the borough.
I (Monika) spent years working with and advocating for young people across the country, from teaching physics to working in sexual violence prevention. I am going to bring that same passion to the people of South Woodford. I want to make sure everyone gets the support they need.
From supporting young people for many years, I (Kallan) have seen first-hand the positive impact of community-led decision-making. That’s why I am focusing on improving the way we listen to local people. I am working hard to bring People’s Assemblies to South Woodford, so everyone has a say in the decisions that affect their lives. I believe in the power of dialogue and collaboration to solve our community’s challenges.
We know that being a councillor is more than just attending meetings. It’s working hard to listen to every resident, understanding different perspectives with kindness and collaborating towards meaningful solutions. This is how we commit to making everyone in South Woodford feel heard, valued and supported. And if you bump into us, come and stop for a chat; we are always happy to talk!
For more information on local councillors, visit swvg.co.uk/cllrs
