{"id":908488,"date":"2026-04-21T07:42:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T07:42:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/908488\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T07:42:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T07:42:35","slug":"horsforth-town-council-hall-park-ward-by-election-candidate-profiles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/908488\/","title":{"rendered":"Horsforth Town Council Hall Park Ward by-election: Candidate profiles"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Jill Stocks<\/strong><\/p>\n

Voters in Horsforth Hall Park Ward\u00a0will go to the polls on Thursday, 7 May 2026 for the Horsforth Town Council, Hall Park Ward by-election.<\/p>\n

The by-election will run alongside voting for the city council elections. One town councillor will be elected.<\/p>\n

Voters are reminded that photo ID is needed to vote at polling stations.<\/p>\n

West Leeds Dispatch\u00a0does not support any political party, but we do encourage all our readers to use their vote.<\/p>\n

Candidates have been asked for a statement of up to 300 words and a head and shoulders photograph to help you decide who to vote for. Here are their responses<\/p>\n

Khadijah Akhtar (Green)<\/p>\n

\"\"Khadija Akhtar<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve lived in Horsforth since the age of six, having attended both primary and secondary school here. I know our local issues well, including the environmental impact of the airport and night flights.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I feel strongly about the need for community events and spaces to meet together. I volunteer at Horsforth community cafe. I think it\u2019s incredibly important that we work together as a community to limit our food waste and support those in need.<\/p>\n

I want to support more youth centres\/spaces to meet and increase current provision for younger people\u2019s activities. Having been a teenager here I know how important it is, that they have a positive focus. I would consult with younger people about what is needed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I also volunteer with \u2018In the name of Love\u2019, in Leeds. A homeless outreach, working towards fairer and safer housing for all.<\/p>\n

As a Green\u00a0councillor I would be working alongside others to protect the Green Belt and green spaces, and enhance\u00a0the local spaces we have, ensuring accessibility and safety.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Protecting green spaces is something that\u2019s a huge priority for me, ensuring the natural habitat is protected for us to enjoy, eg cracking down on unsafe council pesticide use plus getting paths fixed and developing more play spaces. I would also look into initavities to clear and protect our neglected rivers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I would focus on better public transport links for Horsforth, including cheaper fares, better availability, and I want to also push for more safe bike lanes and secure bike parking, and of course\u00a0better pot hole response teams!\u00a0<\/p>\n

Finally, I think it\u2019s incredibly important to have conversations with individuals in my community and be a voice for my home town\u2019s best interests. <\/p>\n

I\u2019m proud to be have chosen to as the Green Party candidate in both the town council by-election and the City Council election.<\/p>\n

Della Heptinstall (Conservative)<\/p>\n

\"\"Della Heptinstall<\/p>\n

I\u2019m standing as a candidate in the Hall Park Ward by-election because too many residents feel they are not being properly listened to, and that needs to change.<\/p>\n

As a Horsforth resident, I see first-hand the issues people raise time and again \u2013 anti-social behaviour, public safety, the protection of our Green Belt, and the visible signs of neglect in parts of our community. These are not abstract concerns; they affect people\u2019s day-to-day lives. Yet too often, residents are left without clear answers or meaningful action.<\/p>\n

On the doorstep, I\u2019ve spoken to people who feel frustrated by a lack of transparency and accountability in local decision-making. Residents deserve councillors who will ask the difficult questions, challenge where necessary, and ensure their concerns are taken seriously.<\/p>\n

Professionally, I am a lawyer working in complex, high-stakes environments where clarity, accountability and decisive action are essential. I also serve as an Army Reservist, where responsibility and leadership are non-negotiable.<\/p>\n

If elected, I will be a strong, visible and active voice for Hall Park Ward \u2013 pushing for greater transparency, pressing for action on antisocial behaviour, and standing firm in protecting our Green Belt and local environment.<\/p>\n

This election is about raising standards. Residents deserve councillors who are present, responsive and prepared to speak up on their behalf. I am standing to ensure that happens.<\/p>\n

Ian McCargo (Labour)<\/p>\n

\"\"Ian McCargo<\/p>\n

I live on New Road Side, near the Fleece \u2013 literally around the corner from Hall Park itself, although just outside the Town Council ward.<\/p>\n

I have either lived or worked in Horsforth \u2013 very near Hall Park itself, in fact \u2013 for most of my adult life. I\u2019m delighted to be standing as Labour candidate for Hall Park ward in the Horsforth Town Council by-election.<\/p>\n

I first arrived in 1999 with a successful job interview at EMIS which was then based above Morrisons. I always remember strolling down Town Street immediately afterwards and feeling confident about the future.<\/p>\n

My daughter later worked at HSBC. My two sons went to Broadgate and now attend Horsforth School.<\/p>\n

Incidentally, Hall Park itself was an absolute godsend for us \u2013 and I\u2019m sure to many others in Horsforth \u2013 during the Covid lockdowns a few years ago.<\/p>\n

And one of the positive legacies from Covid is that local town centres, like ours in Town Street and New Road Side, have become more central to many people\u2019s lives again. It reminds me of my childhood, to be honest.<\/p>\n

I work in logistics, and amongst other things I\u2019m a regular bus and rail user both in our area and beyond, so I\u2019m familiar with the trials and tribulations of using public transport.<\/p>\n

I stood for Parliament here in 2017, and for the City Council in 2016. I am secretary of our local Labour Party branch here in Horsforth & Rawdon. I also hold senior city-wide activist positions in both Labour and the Co-op Party.<\/p>\n

But ultimately my politics is focused \u2013 in the best Co-operative tradition, in my view \u2013 on empowering local communities. If elected I\u2019ll do my best for ours here, both in Hall Park ward and indeed Horsforth as a whole.<\/p>\n

Sponsored content<\/p>\n

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