Council Leader meets community groups to discuss future direction of the Borough

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

Published: 21st October 2015

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