Rachel is Deputy Leader of Wealden District Council and Lead Councillor for housing and benefits. In the face of the cost of living crisis and an unprecedented rise in homelessness, Rachel is working hard to change policy so that more people can access housing support and advocating for truly affordable housing – whilst calling out the current government’s failing national policies.

Rachel has spearheaded Wealden’s response to the crisis of sewage pollution. Her 2021 motion calling on the council to combat raw sewage discharge by water companies was passed unanimously. She now chairs a group of 23 councils working to hold Southern Water, Ofwat and the Environment Agency to account.

Rachel helped set up a new citizen science programme to test river biodiversity in partnership with the University of Sussex.

Many of us are fed up of dishonest and self-interested politicians failing to listen to or serve the people they represent. Rachel is passionate about listening to communities and working in collaborative ways. She co-leads the Alliance for Wealden, successfully holding a vision for a greener, fairer, kinder Wealden above party politics. Rachel holds regular community forums and advocates for a more consultative approach at Council.