LONDON
Salvador Pereira, the newly elected Conservative Party councillor from the Heston Central Ward, has been appointed as a member on different panels at the Hounslow Council.
Besides being on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Salvador said he is a member of the Heston & Cranford Area Forum and the Heston & Isleworth Old People's Welfare Committee.
“I will get to understand the roles through correct training and follow all learning procedures to understand the scope of each role in various departments,” Salvador told The Goan.
“The Overview and Scrutiny committee is very challenging and demanding, as I have to be a watchdog at all times regarding action taken by cabinet members in the council. As a first-time councillor, my challenge will be double as I start from zero. I have to seek advice from senior councillors from my party to move forward,” admitted Salvador.
Salvador said his primary role on the scrutiny committee is to stand up for residents.
"This may sometimes be at odds with the Labour majority on that committee. Also for my local area forum, residents will come with a number of different issues, from the environment to crime to roads. The challenge will be understanding the broad range of issues affecting our local area and working to address each one.”
“As a successful Health and Social Care graduate from Bolton University, I feel I am well equipped to understand the issues relating to Heston & Isleworth senior citizens.”
As a voice for the Goan community in the council, Salvador said he would raise and resolve the concerns of the community.
“I am a representative of Heston Central Ward, where many Goans live in the area. I will do justice to all local residents in my ward. It is my moral and elected responsibility to assist and support any Goan, and any resident, in my role,” assured Salvador.
“Even before I was elected, I started helping my local community, taking up issues around waste and recycling with the relevant department. Now that I am in my role, I can continue being a strong advocate for local residents, including the large Goan community that I represent.”
Listing out other priorities that he plans to take up during his term in the council, Salvador said one of his top priorities would be the education of young people in the community and to advocate for why trades like plumbing, electrician, carpentry, car mechanic, etc. can be more valuable and beneficial than a traditional university degree.
“I am a practical and hands-on councillor, not one who will just sit in an office and work with figures and data. Instead, I will do my job on the ground and show the youth how it can be done. I understand and sense the pulse at ground level. I am also committed to assisting residents at any time of the day to solve their issues within my capacity and go a yard further,” said Salvador.
Hailing from Benaulim-Goa, Salvador moved to the UK in 2016 and presently lives in Heston Area of Hounslow. He is self-employed in carpentry and house refurbishment.
