First time in more than 20 years Labour has held two seats in Heath following by-election, but full council elections are only six months away
NEW Heath councillor Julie Sangani has got big plans for the area after winning last Thursday’s by-election, but she’ll have to move fast as the next election is only six months away.
Mrs Sangani, who won 47% of the vote for Labour after long-standing independent councillor Fenella Bowden retired, is eager to get going with a busy agenda in the months before next May’s full council elections.
“Our plans for the ward aim for improvements on the community level, safer play areas in parks for children, more park benches, and the resurfacing of pavements,” she said.
“The election victory was very important as it has given me confidence of the support the local community has shown me.”
Mrs Sangani, says her interest in politics stem from being a mother of two and her role as governor at Ton Yr Ywen Primary School.
“I want to represent them and deliver for the community. As school governor I know the importance of education. But the result on Thursday was a strong pillar to build on. The full Labour team campaigned so hard and were so dedicated.”
Anna McMorrin, the MP for Cardiff North, was active in the campaign that saw Mrs Sangani victorious on Thursday.
The MP said: “This was a fantastic victory for Julie – a dedicated, local community champion who will do Heath and Birchgrove proud as its new Councillor.
“This result – where for the first time in 20 years Labour has held a second seat in Heath – showed that voters recognised the hard-work of Welsh Labour Cllr Graham Hinchey in the ward and saw the benefit of Labour in power.
I look forward to working with Julie and Graham to continue delivering for Heath and Birchgrove and for the people of Cardiff North.”
Fellow Labour ward councillor Graham Hinchey said: “We were particularly pleased that the turnout was so high for a by-election – community engagement being a real strength of our team. I am looking forward to working with Julie, who I know cares deeply about the community we both live within.”
The election was called after Fenella Bowden retired for health reasons in September this year.
Speaking before the election Mrs Bowden said: “It is a strange feeling not being involved in the election.
“Being a councillor does take its toll on family life. You need to feel that sense of calling, that ‘I care for my community’ attitude.”
Having served as councillor for 13 and a half years and as an independent since 2010, Mrs Bowden’s seat was considered a desirable one.
“The most intriguing thing is the number of faces that have come over to the ward, we’ve had Mark Drakeford, Vaughan Gething, MPs and Cabinet Members from Labour coming in to try and find where my vote is,” said Mrs Bowden.
