This year, I’m determined to address the challenges that impact our community, from improving water quality along our beautiful coastline to enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
This is my first article of 2025. I would like to wish a Happy New Year to one and all. I am looking forward to getting stuck into more of the issues in Southend East and Rochford over the next 12 months.
Top of the in-tray will be planning for the next water summit. This is scheduled for early February. It will be my second summit since election, and the first I have hosted in my own constituency.
Water Quality Drives Community
Ever since I was selected as candidate, it has been clear what a big issue water quality is. The local economies in Southend, Westcliff, Thorpe Bay, and Shoebury are intertwined with the state of their coastlines. And the quality of life for residents is massively dependent on our beaches and resilience to flooding.
Collaborative Water Summit Approach
The water summits are a cross-party endeavour, bringing local residents and campaigners around the table with decision-makers. The discussions are robust but constructive. Locals get to understand, from organisations like Anglian Water, the underlying problems. In turn, campaigners and residents’ associations are able to describe the lived reality on our beaches. Afterwards, the regular nature of the summits means progress can be tracked.
This type of engagement is something we need more of. So alongside regular surgeries I have begun to organise street meetings in antisocial behaviour hot-spots. Residents can engage directly with police and the council.
Blue Flag Status Jeopardised
At my first water summit in November, held in Old Leigh, a major topic was Blue Flag status. On both Thorpe Bay and Westcliff beaches this award has been placed in jeopardy in recent years, thanks to issues around water quality.
Why is This Happening?
The feedback from the Environment Agency was reassuring to a degree on this point, revealing that water was completely safe in both areas, from a health perspective. But they also said that retaining and winning back Blue Flag status will potentially depend on water being ‘Excellent’ in future, rather than just ‘Good’.
At future summits in 2025, and in my own discussions with water stakeholders, I look forward to discussing how we can consistently hit this gold standard.
by Bayo Alaba
MP for Southend East and Rochford
bayo.alaba.mp@parliament.uk