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.

Ms. Mitchell raised her concerns about family centres, which she believes could play a critical role in preventing family crises and delivering a multi agency community based approach that responds to the communities identified needs.

“These are frontline services that provide essential support to residents,” Kay said. 

“Libraries too are more than just places to borrow books – they act as a one-stop shop for residents, offering everything from waste bags to guidance on council services. We should be future-proofing these spaces, not cutting back on them. I’d like to see them evolve into ‘libraries of everything,’ offering services like tool lending and household items.”

Cllr Richard Longstaff, Leader of the Green Group, added, “Kay’s concerns about the future of family centres and libraries in Southend are ones I share. These spaces are invaluable to the community, offering vital resources that more than justify their cost. Any proposals for cuts – or sugar-coating as ‘right-sizing’ – are simply unacceptable, now or in future budgets. Instead, we must invest in ensuring these spaces not only meet the demands of the future but expand their reach, so more residents can access the essential services the council provides.”

The Green Party has long argued for long-term investment in front-line services, arguing that cutting such support only exacerbates the issues facing the city. Ms. Mitchell’s call for a comprehensive approach is a reminder of the ongoing tension between short-term savings and long-term community health.

– ENDS –

Notes to editor:

Kay Mitchell will be asking Cllr Laurie Burton at the Full Council meeting on the 20th February the following:

Under ‘Ongoing Commitment to those residents most in need of support’ it says:

The council has commenced a fundamental review of the Council’s operational estate and front-line service arrangements including Libraries and Family Centres.

The Labour led administration currently favours the terminology of ‘Rightsizing’ and ‘fit for purpose’ but I see these as alternative words for cuts rather than purposefully developing the underutilised facilities offered by our libraries and family centres. These could be embedded with a much wider scope in the community support offer, coproduced to meet resident’s needs, wrapped around multi agency delivery and core to early intervention. The leader responded in P&R that there would be no cuts to these services, but mentioned only ‘the slipper swap’ as an offer example.

What reassurance can the council give that the review intends to ensure the broadest possible range of sustainable services. embedded within residents’ communities?

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This week it has been announced that the Conservative City Council plan to CLOSE two of Southend’s libraries, and intends to reduce the service and hours at three of the remaining libraries.

Our Green Team has launched an urgent petition calling on the council to take our libraries off their chopping block. 

In his Echo article, Cllr Cox also announced huge cuts to Family Centres, with a proposal to close 4 out of 9 centres altogether. The Green Party is against these closures and will be launching a separate petition against these proposals too.

We all know that the Conservatives made the retention of weekly refuse collections a key message in several recent elections, but they’ve announced today that this is a promise they can’t afford to keep. It now looks likely that Southend’s waste collection will move to a fortnightly collection from April 2025. Another broken promise from the Conservatives.

Concerningly, the Conservatives have also suggested selling off the pier to a private operator in order to raise some quick cash. The Green Party remain firmly against the privatisation of our city’s Heritage assets.

It seems they’re coming for the arts also, with an announcement that the NetPark arts project which delivers an art therapy-based service for adults with dementia will be scrapped entirely. 

A full list of the proposed cuts which are due to be discussed by the council tonight, can be found online here:

Our branch Coordinator, James Vessey-Miller has written to the Cabinet Member Cllr Derek Jarvis, and written to the local press. In his letter, James says:

“I condemn these proposals, and I do not accept that these cuts are proportionate, considered, or fiscally appropriate.

“To illustrate just one of many excruciating hypocrisies in this matter; one of the first acts the Conservatives did in May was voluntarily waive much-needed civic income from seafront parking charges as a kickback to their donors on the seafront. Cllr Terry estimates this at £500,000,pa in lost revenue.

“The estimated savings in closing two libraries and reducing services at the others is £200k,pa. This could be financed two and a half times over by the reinstatement of the axed parking charges. Where do the Conservatives’ priorities lie; with residents, or with their donors?”

🚨 We have launched this petition to send the council a strong message that residents will not accept ANY cuts to our library services.

Please SIGN and SHARE this petition:
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/save-our-southend-libraries/

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