Political Viewpoint - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Political Viewpoint – BY Coun Bernard Arscott, Conservative Chair of Leigh Town Council.

Political Viewpoint – BY Coun Bernard Arscott, Conservative Chair of Leigh Town Council.

BY Coun Bernard Arscott, Conservative Chair of Leigh Town Council.

As I write this column spring appears to have finally arrived and there is much to look forward at Leigh-on-Sea Town Council. This will be the last time that I make a contribution to this paper as Chairman of the Council, when I was elected for a second year last May I made clear that I would only serve two years, which is quite long enough.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate those new councillors who have been elected in recent by-elections, I am sure that they will make a valued contribution to the Council.

Since my last contribution the government has announced a new round of devolution this will see some significant changes to the upper tier councils. However, these proposals will not affect town and parish councils; Leigh-on-Sea town council Will continue business as usual.

Over the coming year the Town Council will host a number of events to bring the community together.

This year marks the 80^th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War. There will be an event at Bonchurch Park open to all residents, which will be 1940s themed. Before that, in April, there will be the usual Easter activities for children and families on Saturday 19 April, these events will be held in the Library Gardens and Leigh Community Centre. Please look out for more information in the next few weeks.

Later in the year the Council will be hosting some of the Penguins about Town, similar to the elephants in 2023 and hares in 2021, which is organised by Havens Hospice.

At the recent Full Council meeting Coun Paul Barber proposed a scheme of maintenance work for the Community Centre, which will see significant improvements and modernisation over the next few years. It is expected that these works will make the building more sustainable and an even better facility for the entire community. As part of that proposal the Council unanimously agreed to explore the possibility of the Town Council taking on the ownership of the building from Southend City Council. There are many advantages to this, not least opening up additional grant funding to help keep repair costs to a minimum.

The last two years have been eventful. I would like to pay tribute and thank all those councillors (both current and past) who have given their time freely for the good of the residents of Leigh.

I look forward to working with all councillors over the coming years to continue to make sure that the Town Council continues to build on past successes and develops new initiatives.

Picture: Coun Bernard Arscott, Conservative Chair of Leigh Town Council.

Leigh-on-Sea Town Council

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