News - SOUTHEND LABOUR

Labour councillors hail success of “People’s summit” on Southend High Street

Labour councillors have hailed as a success a public meeting to consider the state of the high street and town centre in Southend. Billed as a “people’s summit”, the event on Wednesday evening at the Civic Centre was a direct response to the Conservative administration’s closed-shop meeting a few weeks…

Community clear-up at the Farringdon Service Road

On Saturday residents and community activists came together to tidy up the area in front of The Forum. A substantial amount of rubbish was collected and removed. In many ways it has been a troubled Spring and Summer for the local community with violence and anti-social behavior blighting the area.…

Health Proposals rejected in Dramatic Vote

By Ian Gilbert, Leader of the Labour Group on Southend Council The ‘Sustainability and Transformation Partnership’ proposals for moving a range of important health services away from Southend Hospital reached a conclusion a few days ago. In an unprecedented step, councillors from all parties overwhelmingly backed the Labour motion (seconded…

Labour hits out at police meeting clash

Labour have criticised the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, after a briefing session for councillors clashed with an important local police meeting. The bimonthly Local Community Meeting (LCM) for the wards which make up the town centre was Monday evening at the Civic Centre, at the same…

Labour blasts Conservative councillor’s “closed-shop” high street summit

Labour councillors have hit out at the Conservative council administration’s ‘high street summit’, as it emerges that no opposition councillors have been invited. The Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for Growth, Cllr James Courtenay, announced the summit on Tuesday 18th September, to discuss the issues facing Southend’s high street.…

Labour Councillors blast Tories’ refusal to engage on landlord regulation

Labour councillors on Southend Borough Council have blasted local Conservatives’ failure to engage on proposals for stricter regulation of landlords, at the Council’s Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee. A paper was presented to the Committee, with recommendations including stricter enforcement and selective licensing. The Conservatives, predictably, voted not to explore…

Southend Labour slams Tory delay on safety team

The Labour Group on Southend-on-Sea Borough Council has criticised the Conservatives for delaying investment in community safety. Southend Labour welcomed a proposal by the Conservative administration to invest £250,000 in a larger Community Safety Team, but have questioned why the Conservatives rejected this proposal at the budget meeting in February,…

Residents at Blackdown flats left to ‘make own arrangements’ after major water leak

On Thursday morning (14th June) at 6am a resident in Blackdown tower block reported the loss of their water supply, and then at 12 noon the lifts failed due to flooding on the ground and third floors. This quickly turned into a major incident affecting all the residents of the block. Some…

Southend Labour slam Tory delay on safety team

The Labour Group on Southend-on-Sea Borough Council has criticised the Conservatives for delaying investment in community safety. Southend Labour welcomed a proposal by the Conservative administration to invest £250,000 in a larger Community Safety Team, but have questioned why the Conservatives rejected this proposal at the budget meeting in February,…

Labour fired up for the May local elections

On Saturday 31st March, Southend Labour launched its manifesto for the Southend Council elections in May. This event took place in the Jubilee Room at the Civic Centre and was attended by members and supporters, including several of the candidates as well as current councillors. Labour will be fielding a…