- The Southend Greens have tabled a motion to push for clarity on next year’s local elections.
- Cllr Stuart Allen says residents must not lose their democratic voice before the new Unitary takes control.
- The Greens say with five parties now competing, it’s more important than ever to let voters have their say.
The Southend Green Group has put forward a motion to ensure that all steps are taken to allow for next year’s local elections to go ahead, despite plans for council reorganisation across Essex.
After the announcement of Local Government Reorganisation last year, local elections were postponed in many parts of Essex. Now, Cllr Stuart Allen, backed by Cllr Ron Woodley of the Southend Independent Group, is calling on fellow councillors to do everything they can to make sure Southend’s elections in May 2026 are not postponed.
Cllr Allen said, “People in Southend want their voices heard. We must not let the excuse of reorganisation silence them. While the Government may force a delay on us, we should not be going out of our way to reduce residents’ say.”
A Green Party spokesperson added, “This year’s local elections across England have shown it’s no longer just a two-horse race. With five parties, and Independent Councillors now in the mix, any one of them – including the Greens – could see big wins in Southend. After May’s elections, the Greens have a record high number of Councillors with 859 seats on 181 councils.”
The 2026 election is due to elect a third of Southend’s councillors, those who were last elected in 2022. There were no elections in Southend City Council this May due to it being a fallow year.
The Government’s reorganisation plans could see Southend merged with Rochford and Castle Point into a new South East Essex Unitary Council. A ‘shadow council’ could be elected in 2027, with the new body officially taking over in 2028.
– ENDS –
Notes to editor:
The motion includes the following text:
Acknowledgement:
This Council notes that Local Government Reorganisation is expected to establish unitary authorities across England. In Essex, all 15 councils are currently developing proposals in line with Government-set criteria.
This Council further notes that, subject to agreement between the councils and central Government, this process is likely to lead to the formation of a new unitary authority, with shadow elections anticipated in May 2027 and full implementation in 2028. These timelines remain subject to change.
As things stand, Southend’s local elections in May 2026 are scheduled to take place in thirds, as per the usual cycle. While there remains a possibility that Government may seek to delay, postpone, or cancel these elections, this Council will continue to plan on the basis that they will go ahead, including the return to the ballot of seats last contested in 2022.
Therefore, this Council resolves that:
- Southend-on-Sea City Council will not request any delay, postponement, or cancellation of the scheduled local elections in May 2026.
- The Council will take all necessary steps to ensure that residents continue to have a democratic voice in local government throughout the transition to any new authority.
Proposed:
Cllr Stuart Allen
Seconded:
Cllr Ron Woodley