LUI GODINHO
LONDON
Angela Joyce de Souza, newly elected Labour Party councillor from the Wembley Hill Ward, has been appointed as a member on a number of committees in the Brent Council.
“I’m honoured to serve Wembley Hill Ward and have been appointed to the Community & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, Brent Pension Fund Sub-Committee, Fostering Panel and Edward Harvist Fund,” Joyce told The Goan.
“I’m also a substitute member of the Audits and Standards Advisory committee, Audit & Standards Committee and Resources & Public Realm Committee. These roles let me focus on children’s social care, local pensions, support for residents in need and holding the council to account on wellbeing, finances and public services.”
Joyce said her priority on the ‘Fostering Panel’ is to get children in care matched with safe, supportive families as quickly as possible and make sure foster carers get the training and backing they deserve.
On the ‘Brent Pension Fund Sub-Committee’, Joyce said she would push for responsible management, strong returns for members and more ethical, sustainable investment choices.
“Through the ‘Edward Harvist Fund’, I want grants to reach organisations dealing with vulnerable residents, with a fair application process that doesn’t put people off,” said Joyce.
“I know the challenges we face: rising demand for fostering placements, pension funds dealing with market volatility and limited charitable funds that must be targeted fairly.”
“I’ll address these by working closely with officers, listening to carers, beneficiaries & residents and demanding transparency in every decision. As a substitute on Audit and Resources committees, I’ll keep a close eye on value for money.”
As a proud member of the Goan community, Joyce said she understands how language and cultural barriers can stop families from fostering or claiming support they’re entitled to.
“I’ll make sure residents know their options and feel welcome engaging with the council and I’ll follow up in committee till we get an update,” she said.
Commenting on her Wembley Hill Ward, Joyce said her focus is making the ward a cleaner, safer, and more affordable place to live.
“I’m already receiving, reporting, and acting on resident casework, from fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour to housing and cost-of-living issues. Alongside this, my wider priorities are community safety, supporting families and young people and building stronger links between the council and residents. Brent is home and I’m here to make it better for the next generation,” said Joyce.
