Rita has lived in Brent for around two decades and has worked locally in the voluntary sector for more than ten years. She is committed to strong public services, fairness, and making sure residents’ voices are heard in decision-making.
Rita chairs Brent’s Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee, helping to ensure the council’s policies, budgets and major decisions are properly examined and improved where needed. Under her leadership, the committee has strengthened its engagement with residents and community partners, and worked constructively with council officers and the Cabinet to support better outcomes for local people. She has also supported closer joint working across scrutiny to strengthen accountability and oversight.
She has focused on scrutiny that is practical and resident-led, including improving the way community feedback is reflected in council decision-making. She has also supported the protection and improvement of services for vulnerable residents.
Locally, Rita is active in Kilburn and South Kilburn, regularly attending community forums, residents’ and tenants’ meetings and Safer Neighbourhood discussions. She holds regular ward surgeries and supports residents with casework, particularly on housing issues such as overcrowding, unsuitable accommodation and accessing the right support from services.
Rita is also active in local campaigning and community events, supporting regular canvassing and taking part in wider borough campaigning. She is committed to equality and inclusion, encouraging more people from under-represented backgrounds to get involved in local democracy and community leadership.
She is focused on continuing to learn and improve, with an interest in developing her use of technology to be more efficient and accessible, alongside ongoing development in public speaking and communication.