Green campaigner presses council to remove the Queensway Bridge which remains a suicide risk 22nd March 2025 / 22nd March 2025 by simongittus Tricia Cowdrey, a local Green campaigner, is urging the Council to set a clear timeline for the removal of the pedestrian bridge over the Queensway following another recent suicide attempt. Read more » Campaigns planning Richard Longstaff Tricia Cowdrey
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
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 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
Concerns Raised Over Garon Park Development 10th December 2024 by simongittus Local mum and former Green Party candidate for Southend West & Leigh in the 2024 General Election, Tilly Hogrebe, has voiced strong concerns about the ongoing overdevelopment of the Garon Park complex following an article in last week’s Echo. She highlights its impact on natural spaces and the wider community. Read more » environment Parks planning Richard Longstaff Tilly Hogrebe
Green Party Motions to be Debated at December Full Council 8th December 2024 / 1st January 2025 by simongittus Two key motions proposed by Green Party councillors are set to be discussed at Southend's Full Council meeting on December 12th after discussions were delayed in October’s sitting. Among the postponed items were urgent motions on banning council use of glyphosate herbicides, and a new strategy for protecting the city’s tree canopy. Read more » Campaigns environment Richard Longstaff Stuart Allen