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 5th May 2022 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 city and have continued in 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.

We have re-started some councillors’ drop-in advice surgeries now that Coronavirus restrictions have been eased, please see times and days below.  Our councillors are available at any time, so if you have a council-related matter that needs our attention or assistance you needn’t wait for the next surgery – you can telephone or email the councillor for your ward as listed. They will either discuss the issue with you by phone or online or offer to meet you at a convenient location. If there isn’t a Labour Councillor for your ward please contact the one nearest one to you.

The advice surgery arrangements detailed below are currently in operation and we hope to extend these when we’re able

Milton Ward Councillors hold drop-in advice surgeries on the first Saturday of every month 10am – 12 noon at Southend Central Library, The Forum SS1 1NS.

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 SS0 0HD (the Careline building).

St. Laurence Ward drop-in advice surgeries are held by Councillors Daniel Cowan and Lydia Hyde on the first Saturday of every month 10am-12 noon at Kent Elms Library; Second Tuesday of every month 6pm-8pm at the Holiday Inn SS2 6XG and the third Saturday of every month 10am-11.30am at the Ekco Club SS2 6PU

St. Luke’s Ward Councillor Martin Berry holds drop-in advice surgeries on the second Thursday of every month at the Community Hub in Cluny Square SS2 4AF, 9am to 10am and at the Labour Party office 268 Sutton Road SS2 5ET (almost opposite the Greyhound shops, by the corner of Byron Avenue) on the second Saturday of every month, 10am to 12 noon.

There are also roving ‘street surgeries’ held locally in Kursaal ward by Councillor Matt Dent (contact Matt Dent on 07779 413772 / cllrdent@southend.gov.uk for details of the next one in your road).

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

Maxine Sadza

St. Laurence Ward

Daniel Cowan

Lydia Hyde

St. Luke’s Ward

Martin Berry

Victoria Ward

Margaret Borton

Ian Gilbert

Mandy O’Connor

Westborough Ward

Anne Jones

Aston Line

Kevin Robinson