This month marks a very special milestone for Oracle – 21 years of bringing your community together.

Over those years, we have shared residents’ concerns, supported important local causes, helped raise money for charities, printed difficult but important truths and, on occasions, caused quite a stir! This issue is no different.

The proposed development on our Green Belt has been a major topic in Oracle, because I firmly believe it would change our city – and not for the better. Our infrastructure is already running at capacity, and its impact will be felt far and wide, including on social and elderly care, amongst other essential services. One local family shares their experience this month.

Cllr James Moyies, who has been fighting to protect the land north of Bournes Green, also brings residents up to date following the last minute council meetings at the end of last month, where the majority of opposition parties made their position on building on our Green Belt very clear.

We also hear from Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hurst following an Essex-wide survey on the Government’s plans for policing.

Oracle’s competition this month, 1 lucky winner will win a pair of tickets to see The Stylistics, one of the most successful and enduring groups in soul music, at Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion, on Sunday, 22 November 2026. To enter, visit the competition page at Oraclepublications.co.uk. This competition closes 30 September 2026.

There’s more inside, so please keep reading and if there’s an issue you’d like to raise with me, please get in touch.

Good luck!

Emma Wynne-Morgan