Leader's blog - 24 November 2023

On Monday (20 November) the council formally approved the appointment of our new permanent chief executive. Rightly, it has been a detailed process to get to this stage and find the right person for the job.

We all know as residents that Southend is a unique, vibrant, exciting, culturally diverse place to live, and we need a permanent chief executive who will understand this character and cultivate it to the City's advantage, with the leadership capability to steer the organisation and generate enough belief to join residents, staff and councillors together in a shared vision that fulfils the City's potential.

I believe that is the person we have secured for Southend-on-Sea City Council. Colin Ansell, is currently at Newham Council and I think it's fair to say that everyone is looking forward to his starting with us in the New Year.

I'm sure many people were interested to hear the Chancellor's announcement of the autumn statement on Wednesday. It was good to hear him talk about progress of devolution deals in other parts of England.

This helps underline the importance of devolution to local authorities and local communities and economies. Southend on Sea City Council has been working hard with the county council and Thurrock Council on a deal for Greater Essex and we hope in the coming days that the Government will confirm that deal is ready to go and be consulted on with our communities.

In Greater Essex, devolution deal would mean better transport, better skills and better jobs - all helping to drive economic growth across Greater Essex through placing the power to decide how and where funding is spent in local hands.

It was also a positive statement for business and the self-employed, with additional Government support to help smaller individual businesses survive. With this in mind, I must mention the Best Festive Business competition, in which local independent businesses have the opportunity of winning some fantastic prizes for getting into the festive spirit and decorate shop windows.

Not only does this competition highlight the businesses available in our City, but it helps brighten up the streets and reminds all of us to shop local. Something made easier by the fact there is a free festive parking on Sundays again in council-owned car parks this December.

While we're discussing money it worth highlighting the report that went to cabinet on Monday about the budget for period six. While we have reduced the expected deficit for this financial year from £14m to £10.7m, we still have a lot of work to do and I want to reassure you all that council officers are working tirelessly to make those savings happen, with minimal effect to services.

It feels like it has been a week of big changes at the council, so I hope yours has been a bit quieter and that you've had some time to start thinking about plans for Christmas. Only 33 days to go!

Have a great weekend

Cllr Tony Cox

Published: 24th November 2023