Southend speaks – Leader listens

March 24, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Southend speaks – Leader listens

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

Community groups in Southend have welcomed the chance to share their views face to face with Council Leader, Councillor Ron Woodley.

To date over 35 such groups have taken up his offer to attend their meetings and discuss his vision for the borough’s future direction.

Councillor Woodley wanted to keep residents up-to-date with Council news, while at the same time finding out how they thought the Council should tackle its financial challenges.

He said: “I have been overwhelmed by the responses from organisations across the borough, and am very grateful indeed for their valuable feedback.

“We will be taking their suggestions into account when we start setting our budget for 2017/18 – an extremely tough process on top of five years of budget reductions.

“I was keen to meet community groups because it is vital to understand from as many people as possible, what they need and expect from their local Council

“Between us we have to work out the best ways we can use our reducing resources to meet these needs and expectations.

“I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has welcomed me to their meetings.

“This dialogue is something that I want to see the Council continue into the future.

Organisations Councillor Woodley has met with so far include:
Resident Involvement Focus Group, Cadgers, (hospital support group) Pop In (60+ group),Southend Older People's Assembly AGM, Leigh Town Council, Senior Shrimpers Café, YMCA - Young People Question Time, Jewish Community Centre, Housing Forum, Young Carers Forum, The Southend Ethnic Minority Forum AGM, Sheltered Focus Group, Essex Asian Women's Association Open Event, Southend Mencap AGM, Hindu Elderly People Day Centre, Southend Tenants & Resident Federation, Shoeburyness Residents Association, Southend Carnival Association,Southend Business Partnership, Connect@, Garrison Residents Association, Southend Community in Harmony Partnership, Southend Parks Bowls Circle, Leigh Town Council, Alzheimers Society, Chalkwell Residents Association, Southend & District Pensioners Campaign, Earls Hall Baptist Church, Futures Community College, Hungarian Community of Southend.

If you are a member of a local community group or similar and you would like the Leader to attend one of your future meetings please contact Kelly Clarke, Senior Community Relations Advisor, on kellyclarke@southend.gov.uk