Community groups are meeting the Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and quizzing him about his vision for the future direction of the Borough.
Cllr Ron Woodley has confirmed his series of community meetings through to February 2016, aimed at informing local people about the challenges facing the Council and seeking their views on how the authority should deal with ever tightening finances. Further events will take also take place in 2016, with dates and venues to be announced at a later date.
Feedback from these sessions will be used when the Council considers budget setting for 2016/17 which is going to prove yet another challenging year, on top of five years of budget reductions.
Cllr Woodley said: “One of the most important – and indeed one of the most challenging – parts of my role as Leader, is to understand what people need and expect from their authority and to balance these priorities against our resources.
“When I’ve attended events like these in the past, many people are surprised by the huge breadth of services that the Council provides – from looking after vulnerable people, to maintaining highways, running library services, and supporting business - and the costs involved.
“But one thing is clear. Councils will receive less funding each year but still be expected to maintain or improve core services. We constantly have to find new and innovative ways of delivering more for less in order to adequately meet the needs of local people.
“These events are my way of engaging with large numbers of people from the community, many with specific needs and interests, and I hope as many as possible will come along to share their views.”
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
Date |
Time |
Community Group |
Venue |
21st October 2015 |
7pm-9pm |
Essex Asian Women's Association Open Event |
Balmoral Community Centre |
26th October 2015 |
7.30pm-9.30pm |
Southend Mencap AGM |
St John Fisher Church Hall, Prittlewell |
27th October 2015 |
11:30am |
Hindu Elderly People Day Centre |
St Edmunds Community Hall, St Edmunds Close, Southend |
27th October 2015 |
4:30pm |
Southend Tenants & Resident Federation |
Committee Room 5 |
2nd November 2015 |
8pm |
Shoeburyness Residents Association |
Church Hall, Church Road, Shoeburyness |
19th November 2015 |
8.30am |
Southend Business Partnership |
|
26th November 2015 |
1.30pm-4pm |
Connect@ |
Finchley Road Synagogue Hall |
30th November 2015 |
7.30pm |
Garrison Residents Association |
Hinguar School Hall |
14th December 2015 |
7.30pm |
Southend Community in Harmony Partnership |
Balmoral Community Centre |
17th February 2016 |
1:45pm |
Southend & District Pensioners Campaign |
Avenue Baptist Church Hall, Milton Road |