Further information on each councillor is available on the London Borough of Havering website, by clicking on individual names.

 

UPMINSTER WARD

Cllr Oscar Ford    01708 641 317    oforducra@gmail.com

Oscar is a lifelong Havering resident and has lived in Upminster since the early 1990’s. A retired Senior Local Government Officer, he has worked at a strategic level across a wide range of council service areas, and strongly believes that local authorities can and should be in the business of supporting the most vulnerable in our society whilst aiming to change people’s lives for the better. Oscar has a Masters Degree in Landscape Amenity Management and a Diploma in Management Studies. He is a former member of the Upminster Hockey Club and his children went to the Coopers Company & Coborn School. As a Rotarian Oscar helps to raise funds for local charities including First Step and the St. Francis Hospice. Elected in May 2022, Oscar was the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People for four years, overseeing essential improvements to this important statutory service area, as part of the first independent led Council across London..

 

Cllr Michael Fisher       m.fisherucra@gmail.com

Michael has lived in Upminster for twenty years and was elected as a ward councillor in May 2026. He works as a licensed London taxi driver and has previously worked in the insurance, fitness, and construction industries. His children attended Coopers’ and Hall Mead schools, giving him a strong connection to local families and education. Michael currently serves as Chair of the Friends of Clockhouse Gardens, where he works with local residents to protect and improve this treasured green space. He has also previously been involved with Upminster Rugby Club and served as a Scout Leader at St Lawrence’s. Michael is focused on practical improvements to our area and ensuring that local residents’ views are properly heard in council decisions.

 

Cllr Chris Wilkins    07960 059 195    councillorchristopher.wilkins@havering.gov.uk

Chris was elected onto the Council in May 2018 and serves on the Highways’ Advisory Committee, the Overview and Scrutiny Board and the Town and Communities Overview Scrutiny Committee. He also takes an active interest in Council finances. Chris has a wealth of experience following a career in the Public Sector, specialising in the housing field, having worked at a senior level for a number of Councils and Housing Associations. He is the Chairman and Deputy Leader of the Upminster and Cranham Residents’ Association  and the Upminster Organiser for The Bulletin. He is heavily involved with council/community matters within Upminster Ward and serves on the Coopers Company and Coborn Educational Foundation.

 

CRANHAM WARD

Cllr Gillian Ford    01708 641 317    councillorgillian.ford@havering.gov.uk

Gillian has been an UCRA Councillor since 2002. Her roles have included Deputy Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, Chair of the Havering Place Based Partnership, and Cranham Police Ward Panel. Gillian represents Independent Councillors nationally and internationally including LGA UK Contact Network Group, LGA Independent Group Executive member and facilitator on LGA Leaders Programme. Gillian was the former Chair of the H.R.A, now Vice-Chair and believes resident associations need to work together to make the biggest difference. Gillian is currently the Leader of the opposition group ‘Havering Aligned Residents Associations’, with Havering Residents Association, Hornchurch Residents Association and Upminster and Cranham Residents Association.

 

Cllr John Tyler    07982 962 925    johntylerucresidents@outlook.com

A former police officer, John left the Met in 2017 after 30 years service and now works locally. He is married with two children. He was first elected as a councillor in 2018, having become involved with the Residents’ Association as he strongly believes that local government should be run by local people and not overly influenced by national party politics. John edits the UCRA website and co-ordinates Bulletin deliveries in the Cranham area. He sits on the Strategic Planning Committee and the Overview and Scrutiny Board on Havering Council, and sees his most important role as dealing with ward related issues in Cranham.

 

Cllr Lesley Tyler         ltylerucresidents@outlook.com

Lesley has lived locally for 30 years, has been assisting UCRA for a decade, and is a member of the Executive Committee. She is a former Diplomatic PA in Central London, having since worked locally. She is married with two children, one who attends a local secondary school, and is a parishioner of St Josephs’s Church. Elected in May 2026, Lesley intends to continue the work taking place, to ensure that Cranham gets the attention it needs, challenging threats to our green spaces and working with partners to maintain the safety of our streets. Lesley sits on the Licensing Committee on Havering Council.