Lambeth Councillors - Kirsty McHugh

Councillor Kirsty McHugh

How long have you lived in Lambeth and been a councillor here?
I moved to Lambeth in 1993 and was first elected as a councillor in 1998.

Why did you become a councillor?
For the same reason as I became involved with politics. I saw a lot of things wrong and wanted to help put them right. I've always felt that it's better to stand up and be counted rather than just sit at home and complain.

What issues do you think are most important to residents in your ward?
Herne Hill's a very diverse ward. For those who live in Lambeth council housing it's the state of their homes and the urgent need for investment. For most people though it tends to be concerns about crime, the state of the local environment - roads, pavements, parks - and, inevitably, council tax levels.

What else is involved in being a councillor
A big part of our work is casework, things like sorting out people's housing benefit or council tax problems or dealing with nuisance neighbour cases. I hold a regular surgery at the Carnegie Library where people come to see me, but an increasing amount of casework comes in by email.
Councillors also act as advocates for their local area within the Council and help local residents get their voices heard. In addition, many of us sit on internal Council committees which decide issues that affect the whole of the borough.

Have you ever been a victim of crime?
Yes, I was robbed at knife point about five years ago in Herne Hill on a residential street about 11pm at night. It was by three teenage boys who took money and my phone. I was able to report the robbery straight away, the police turned up within minutes and we found the boys almost immediately - sauntering down a nearby road. Approximately a year later one of them was convicted of the crime. What worried me most was the attitude of the parent - denial that their son had been involved and anger at me for giving evidence. My concern was to make sure that young man received help and support now to make sure he didn't rob again. Next time he could have stabbed someone and that would have been two lives ruined.

What’s the worst thing about being a councillor?
Not getting quick results for my constituents to what seem to be fairly simple issues. It's also very frustrating when you're promised one thing (such as a controlled parking zone will be implemented at a particular date) only to find out that the decision has been changed for no apparent reason.

What’s the best thing about being a councillor?
Knowing what's going on in your local area and making a difference to people's lives. For instance, I was approached by a constituent in a council-owned property who was being terrorised by drug dealers who had pretty much moved into the flat below (with a vulnerable tenant). After my intervention, we got quick action. The drug dealers were arrested, the downstairs tenant moved and helped and the constituent who approachced me is now living in peace.

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