Their job is to direct policy and oversee the work of the council as a whole and to represent and act as advocates for the people of the wards they represent. They are also involved with local groups and residents’ associations, attend community events and hold regular advice surgeries.

At the local elections on 2nd May no one party achieved a majority control of Southend Council. However, the Labour, Independent and Liberal Democrat Groups reached an agreement for the benefit of the town and have formed a joint administration with a Labour leader. We will work constructively with our Independent and Liberal Democrat colleagues to protect and improve public services across Southend.

All councillors’ drop-in advice surgeries have been temporarily suspended because of the Coronavirus restrictions.  We wish to remain as helpful as possible to residents, so if you have a council-related matter than needs our attention please telephone or email the councillor for your ward as listed below. If there isn’t a Labour Councillor for your ward please contact the one nearest one to you

The normal advice surgery arrangement, as detailed below, will be resumed as soon as we are able.

Under normal circumstances, councillors’ drop-in advice surgeries are held on the first and third Saturday of each month from 10am – 12 noon at the Labour Party office, 268 Sutton Road, Southend on Sea, SS2 5ET – no appointment is needed. Additionally, Milton Ward Councillors hold drop-in advice surgeries on the first Saturday of every month 11am – 12 noon at The Haven, 138-140 Hamlet Court Road. Blenheim Park Ward drop-in advice surgeries are held by Councillor Laurie Burton on the third Saturday of every month, 9am – 10.30am at 2 Mendip Road, Westcliff (the Careline building). St. Laurence Ward drop-in advice surgeries are held by Councillor Daniel Cowan on the first Friday of every month at the Ekco Club 10am – 12 noon; the second Tuesday of every month at the Loyal Toast 1pm – 3pm and the third Wednesday of every month at the Holiday Inn 6pm – 8pm. There are also roving ‘street surgeries’ held locally in Kursaal ward by our Councillors Matt Dent, Maggie Kelly and Helen McDonald (contact Matt Dent on 07779 413772 / cllrdent@southend.gov.uk for details of the next one in your road) and Cllr Daniel Cowan in St. Laurence ward (01702 534391/ cllrcowan@southend.gov.uk).

All of our councillors can be contacted using the links below and they are always willing to meet residents who have concerns or problems at times and places other than those listed above.

Milton Ward

Stephen George

Kay Mitchell

Cheryl Nevin

St. Laurence Ward

Daniel Cowan

Victoria Ward

Jennifer Beck

Margaret Borton

Ian Gilbert

Westborough Ward

Anne Jones

Kevin Robinson

Charles Willis