At a Glance
- Southend Greens have doubled their councillors from two to four
- The Green Group says it will remain independent and not enter a formal agreement with any administration
- Councillor Stuart Allen has been reappointed Green Group Spokesperson
- Newly elected Councillor Kay Mitchell has been appointed Deputy Spokesperson
- The Greens say they will focus on issues including protecting the Green Belt and maintaining scrutiny across the Council
Greens Expand Council Group After Record Southend Results
- Southend Greens have doubled their councillors to four, securing additional scrutiny and committee positions across the Council.
- Cllr Stuart Allen has been reappointed Green Group Spokesperson, with newly elected Cllr Kay Mitchell appointed Deputy Spokesperson.
- The expanded Green Group says it will not enter a formal agreement with any administration and instead use its stronger presence on committees to push for action on its priorities over the coming municipal year.
Following major gains in this year’s local elections, the Green Group has confirmed its leadership and committee appointments for the coming municipal year.
The Greens doubled their representation on Southend City Council to four councillors, securing additional scrutiny and committee positions across the authority.
The Group will not be entering an agreement with any administration allowing them to continue to be an independent voice representing their residents.
Cllr Stuart Allen has been reappointed as Green Group Spokesperson for a second consecutive year and will serve on Health & People Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Licensing Committee, Audit & Governance, and the Traffic Working Party.
Newly elected Councillor Kay Mitchell has been appointed Deputy Spokesperson and will sit on Health & Wellbeing Board, Corporate Parenting Board, as well as Vice Chair of People Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Councillor Anita Forde has been appointed to Policy & Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, General Purposes Committee and Licence Subcommittee C, while the Greens’ first ever Councillor, Richard Longstaff, will continue his work on Planning alongside roles on Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and the Shareholder Board.
“As a Green Group without a whip, we chose not to enter into any formal administration or make deals with other parties. People who vote Green expect us not to support any form of Conservative-Reform coalition.
“We believe this is the best way to keep Southend open, welcoming and forward-looking, while continuing to have the ability to challenge the administration on issues like protecting our Green Belt.”
— Cllr Stuart Allen
“This is not an ordinary year, with Local Government Reorganisation approaching. Stability and experience are essential so officers can continue the detailed work needed to prepare Southend for the new authority structure, rather than having a hung council.”
— Cllr Richard Longstaff
The Green Group says it will use its expanded presence on the Council to push for action on its key priorities over the year ahead, following its strongest set of election results yet.
Notes to editor:
Photo of the new Green Group on the Council.
The Appointments Council Meeting was held on Monday 18 May. Details of the adjourned meeting can be found at:
Contacts:
Cllr Stuart Allen
Leader of the Green Group
07386 697928
cllrstuartallen@southend.gov.uk
Lauren Ekins
Branch Coordinator
coordinator@seessex.greenparty.org.uk
Simon Gittus
Press Officer
press@seessex.greenparty.org.uk