The Hillrise community is saying farewell to its local councillor, a much loved champion for fundraising and supporting local residents, who is stepping down after 10 years in the role.
Councillor David Poyser’s departure was announced this week in time for the by-election on 2 May 2024. The councillor was first elected to the Hillrise ward in 2014 and previously served as the Mayor of Islington from 2018-19.
In a letter to the leader of Islington Council, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Mr Poyser thanked “all of our Islington Labour councillors and the Labour Party members of Hillrise for the opportunity to work with the Islington Labour Group over the past 10 years.”
Mr Poyser has created long-lasting bonds with Hillrise residents and community associations, who praise the councillor for his efforts in fundraising for the local community, and putting residents’ voices and needs first.
Irene Winter, centre manager at Hornsey Lane Community Centre, said Mr Poyser’s departure marked the end of her decade-long working relationship with the councillor, adding that he has had real impacts on the staff and residents.
Ms Winter said: “David was the most active councillor in our ward.” She continued: “He has always made himself available to help out.”
During the pandemic, Hornsey Lane Community Centre organised food parcel distribution across Islington. Ms Winter said Mr Poyser was one of the first people to volunteer to deliver the vital parcels, acting with urgency to respond to the community’s needs.
Ms Winter said: “We realised there was a bigger need for food parcels than we anticipated within the community. David was delivering parcels as far across to the border in Hackney.”
When food donations during the pandemic were not sufficient, Ms Winter said Mr Poyser immediately went to the council to convey the community centre’s concerns. With the help of the councillor’s persistence, more suitable food was eventually sent.
“He did that for us,” said Ms Winter.
Mr Poyser has also been key in ensuring vital funding for the Islington Boxing Club in Hillrise. The club’s CEO Lenny Hagland said: “As our local councillor he’s always been helpful with backing funding and has secured us funding on a number of occasions.”
Mr Hagland continued: “He’s also come to a few of the events we’ve held at the club, and has been positive towards the club for a number of years.”
In 2022, Islington Council installed bleed control kits – first response equipment to assist in stabbings or traumatic injuries – across the Hillrise area, one of which was given to Islington Boxing Club. Mr Hagland said: “The councillor was in attendance and supportive of the new bleed box that would help the community.”
Mr Poyser has also led funding efforts for the Hornsey Lane Community Centre. Ms Winter said the councillor had created a lot of links and networks for the centre, including gaining funding to do a project with St Mary’s Church on Ashley Road, to create a community garden there. She said: “David’s really helped us to make those links within the community.”
Ms Winter said Mr Poyser has also been very supportive of the Local Initiative Fund, which allows community centres like Hornsey Lane to receive small amounts of money from the council to fund activities for people in the community, such as day trips for the elderly, or funding for food for the local foodbank. Ms Winter said: “David always supported us to access that fund.”
Mr Poyser has always put the residents of his community first, Ms Winter said: “If a resident comes to him with an issue and he knows we can solve it at the community centre, he’ll refer them to us, or send letters in support of them to the council.”
Of Mr Poyser, Ms Winter said: “He has been our eyes and ears in the community, and he will be greatly missed.” In the by-elections on 2 May, Ollie Steadman will be standing as the next Labour candidate of Hillrise, whom Mr Poyser wholeheartedly supports.
For the by-elections on 2 May, remember to bring photo ID.
