Nita was first elected to the City Council in May 2019. Growing up around and having an interest in local politics from a young age, inspired her to move into local politics, to support the hard to reach communities. Her motivation for going into local politics was to be a voice for those that are underrepresented. She is also a Local Authority School Governor for a school in her ward. Nita's focus as a ward councillor is on the issues that have an impact on people’s daily lives and to make sure the needs of the community are met as best as possible.
Questions:
Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
Leicester will always be home, and Belgrave in particular will always remain a special place for me. It's where I grew up, spent my childhood and youth, it's the ward I was elected as a Councillor!
What are your proudest achievements?
It's an honour and privilege to represent the local community. I'm grateful to be given the opportunity. Also, supporting people over the pandemic, through working with organisations to provide food parcels for the vulnerable, making sure individuals, businesses and community organisation got the support they needed. I worked to ensure Belgrave had the provision for a Holiday Hunger scheme. Recently I worked with partner agencies , including LCC Public Health and the Leicestershire Police to raise awareness about Mental Health in the local community. Mental Health is as important as one's physical health and getting communities to talk about this is vital.
What inspires you?
Making a positive difference to the lives of others is important to me. Also, partnership working, over the pandemic we saw communities and numerous partner agencies working together, people from all walks of life coming together, supporting each other in their hardest times, that was inspiring to see.
What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
Coming from a learning and development background I believe with challenges comes learning experience, so I can't say there's been any major obstacles rather lots of opportunities to learn!
Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My Parents, my mother has always encouraged me to aim high and not be afraid to fail but try again, she often says you learn more from failure than success. My mum is my go-to person if I need advice or to get a balanced perspective. Although my father is sadly no longer with us, his values of supporting those in need and standing up for what you believe in, even if you stand alone is something that will always resonate with me.
What is the best aspect about your current role?
The constituent work, I enjoy the ward surgeries, although they are virtual at the moment. It's also rewarding to not just support constituents but to empower them to support themselves. There's nothing quite like knowing your making a positive difference to people's lives, no matter how small it may seem.
And the worst?
It's frustrating watching people struggle due to lack of resource or government funding.
What are your long-term goals?
I am over halfway through the term with still a large amount I want to achieve, including doing more for the younger generations. After that, who knows!
If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
The Right to Buy Scheme, it has supported many families to buy their own homes, who otherwise may not be able to afford to, however with a depletion in housing stock, due to new homes not replacing those sold off, is creating a shortage in social housing, the brunt which is being felt by those most in need.
If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
Emmeline Pankhurst, a key figure in the feminist movement. It was due to the Suffrage movement and those like Pankhurst who fought for the rights of women and the reason that woman can vote today. We must never forget the sacrifices of others, battles they fought for the things we take for granted today. It's great to see Women such as Jacinda Arden PM for New Zealand, taking on roles to lead their countries.
