Former Councillor Tricia Cowdrey Joins the Green Party 27th February 2025 / 3rd March 2025 by simongittus Former councillor and chair of People Scrutiny Committee, Tricia Cowdrey, has joined the Green Party, marking the second high-profile name to join the party this year. Tricia follows Kay Mitchell, who made the switch in January, in what appears to be a growing shift toward the Greens in Southend politics. Read more » Campaigns Richard Longstaff SEND Tricia Cowdrey
Southend Campaigner Questions Council’s Commitment to Family Centres and Libraries Amid Budget Concerns 22nd February 2025 / 3rd March 2025 by simongittus Former Children’s Centre Manager and Green Party campaigner, Kay Mitchell, is calling for assurances from Southend City Council regarding the future of family centres and libraries following the announcement of the council’s budget. With phrases like “right-sizing” and “fit-for-purpose” being used by the Labour-led administration in relation to services, Ms. Mitchell fears they could be code for further budget cuts that threaten vital community resources. Read more » Campaigns Family Centres Kay Mitchell Libraries
Leigh Campaigner Presses Council on Bus Infrastructure Amid Calls for Greener Transport 14th February 2025 / 13th February 2025 by simongittus Simon Gittus, a Green Campaigner and Leigh resident, is pressing the City Council to make urgent improvements to the town’s bus infrastructure, arguing that better public transport is essential to easing congestion and cutting emissions. Read more » environment Richard Longstaff Simon Gittus Transport
Cinder Path Shelter Set for Completion After Years of Delays, Councillor Confirms 13th February 2025 / 13th February 2025 by simongittus After years of setbacks and uncertainty, the long-awaited completion of the Cinder Path Shelter is finally in sight. Green Party Councillor Richard Longstaff, who represents Leigh Ward, has secured assurances from city council officers that the long-stalled project will be finished before the summer season, as long as there are no further complications with the project. Read more » Campaigns environment planning Richard Longstaff Stuart Allen
Greens write to MP regarding Heathrow and Lower Thames Crossing 5th February 2025 / 5th February 2025 by simongittus The South East Essex Green Party has formally written to MP, David Burton-Sampson responding to the Government’s damaging plan to proceed to allow for the building of a third runway at Heathrow, and the Lower Thames Crossing. Read more » Airport environment Lower Thames Crossing Richard Longstaff Stuart Allen
Green Party Councillor Stuart Allen and campaigner Kay Mitchell Call for Urgent Action on Chalkwell Park Footpaths 31st January 2025 / 31st January 2025 by simongittus Green Party Councillor Stuart Allen and local campaigner Kay Mitchell are urging the council to take immediate action following residents' complaints about the poor condition of footpaths in Chalkwell Park. Read more » environment Kay Mitchell Parks Stuart Allen
Green Party Stands Firm Against Top-Down Devolution Plans 14th January 2025 / 14th January 2025 by simongittus The Green Party has voiced strong opposition to the Government’s fast-track devolution proposals, citing serious concerns over what it calls a “top-down” reorganisation of local councils orchestrated by the Labour Government. Read more » Council Devolution Full Council Richard Longstaff Stuart Allen
Former Deputy Group Leader Deputy Leader Kay Mitchell Joins Green Party 13th January 2025 / 13th January 2025 by simongittus Kay Mitchell, who previously served as Deputy Leader of Southend City Council and who was formerly a Labour Councillor in Milton ward, has joined the Green Party citing the party's progressive and forward-thinking policies at both local and national levels. Read more » Council Kay Mitchell Richard Longstaff Stuart Allen
Southend City Council Commits to Tree Policy Improvements, Thanks to Green Party Efforts 21st December 2024 / 1st January 2025 by simongittus Green Party Councillor Richard Longstaff has successfully driven significant enhancements to Southend City Council's tree policy, with plans to increase the city’s tree canopy cover from 12% to at least 15%. Read more » environment High Street Richard Longstaff Street Trees Trees
Glyphosate set to be phased out after Green Party motion 15th December 2024 / 1st January 2025 by simongittus Cllr Stuart Allen’s motion to phase out the use of glyphosate—a herbicide associated with cancer and significant health and environmental risks—on Southend’s streets has been approved at this month’s Full Council meeting. Read more » Campaigns environment Glyphosates Stuart Allen