The leaders of the opposing parties in Southend Council have spoken to Councilbust.com of their reaction to Tuesday’s budget. Cllr Graham Longley (left), leader of the Liberal Democrats, was positive in his approach. He told Councilbust.com: “Liberal Democrats, as part of a coalition government joined with the Tories today in a progressive alliance to...
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By Rachel Charman After a successful local election, the Conservatives have increased their majority by two seats. There are now 27 Conservatives, 12 Liberal Democrats, seven Independents, four Labour councillors, and one non-aligned Independent councillor. Labour lost two seats; one in the Kursaal ward, and one in St Lukes. Both seats were lost to the Conservatives. The Liberal...
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By Rachel Charman The Saxon King in Priory Park (SKIPP) pressure group, which opposes the development of Cuckoo Corner and Victoria Circus, has spoken out over the vandalism of Cllr Anna Waite’s home. Cllr Waite is the Council’s portfolio holder for transport and planning in Southend. She has been targeted in some of SKIPP’s...
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By Rachel Charman During the night of 29th April, vandals attacked the home of Executive Councillor for Transport and Planning Anna Waite. Cllr Waite has attracted criticism this year due to the redevelopment of Cuckoo Corner, Priory Crescent and other areas of the town. In the last Council meeting, members of Saxon King In...
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By Rachel Charman Conservative councillor for Southchurch Brian Kelly has informed the Council of numerous graffiti tags on the footbridge over the railway at Southend East station. Cllr Kelly has also voiced his anger at the vandalism, and expressed concern over the effect of graffiti on the local community. Cllr Kelly said: “The ‘artists’...
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By Rachel Charman Southend’s Conservative councillors have accused the Independents of conspiring with the Liberal Democrats in order to break up the Conservative majority. Conservative councillors have claimed that the Independents are not truly independent due to their alleged support of the Liberal Democrats. This comes as this morning the Council released the notice...
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By Rachel Charman Rochford and Southend East Labour Parliamentary candidate Kevin Bonavia has signed a pledge against the repeal of the Hunting Act. The pledge was created by the League Against Cruel Sports and published last week. The document lists politicians and MPs who will not vote to repeal the Hunting Act. The Hunting...
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By Rachel Charman With the General Election date officially set for 6th May, local parties in Southend will begin fierce campaigns for Southend’s two constituency seats in Southend West and Rochford and Southend East. A Councilbust.com poll of over 100 readers has revealed support over the two areas for the Liberal Democrats. The poll,...
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By Rachel Charman The budget was announced last week by Chancellor Alistair Darling. The budget included a stamp duty holiday for first time home buyers, as well as a 5% stamp duty on homes of £1 million in value or more. Business tax rates will be cut for one year from October, meaning that...
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Comment: Why has fox hunting reared its ugly head again?
By Rachel Charman This morning I began ploughing through the news I read every day and for a moment thought I had slipped through the time-space continuum and plopped out into 1997. Why? Because once again, the major political parties are arguing over fox hunting. It fills me with disappointment that politicians still find...
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Tags: Comment, Conservative, David Cameron, Fox Hunting, Labour, UK
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