About Alan

Alan lives in Hackney Central Ward and has lived in Hackney for 7 years. Alan was elected as a Labour Councillor for the Hackney Central Ward in May 2002 and has been an active ward councillor since then. Alan is the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods.

He has helped secure the continued funding of a youth group for some of the most vulnerable young people in Hackney, was a key supporter of the public drinking ban in the heart of the ward and ensured that the council becomes responsive to the needs of the residents of the estates in Hackney Central ward.

Why did you become a Councillor?

I was first elected as a councillor in 2002. I have been active in the Labour Party for many years and decided that I wanted to play a part in helping to shape the community that I lived in, rather than just commenting on what was happening from the sidelines. Helping to improve the lives, opportunities and outcomes for other people is the fundamental reason why I am involved in politics. Growing up, I saw the results of communities that had effectively been abandoned. The sense of injustice at seeing that raised my interest in politics and made me get involved. The desire to end that sort of inequality still drives me today and representing my ward since 2002 has been incredibly rewarding.

What are the biggest challenges in your area?

The biggest issues in the ward are achieving decent homes for residents on our estates, improving the services provided by the council that we all are in receipt of, such as the waste and street cleansing services. Despite the fall in crime in the ward, the feeling of our streets being unsafe needs to be tackled. Most importantly, is the challenge to improve the opportunities for all our young people to succeed in life; receive an excellent education and access employment. Whilst our schools are more successful than ever, too many people still don't work and far too many of our young people don't go on to good colleges or universities after leaving school. Education is the single best way that we can alter, forever, the prospects of all our residents.

What are the best and worst things about being a Councillor?

The best thing about being a councillor is when you realise you've made a difference, maybe even in a small way, to someone's life.

The worst part is running into the bureaucracy of a large organisation and trying to get a system to change. It can be done - but it takes time and perseverence!

What's the best thing about living in Hackney?

I love living in Hackney and in my ward as it is a vibrant place to live with great restaurants, bars and within easy reach of the rest of central London when I go out elsewhere in London with friends. The other great part is bringing people to Hackney who have never been here before and watching them as they realise that Hackney is actually a great place to live and the reputation is did have is no longer the case - it makes me smile every time!