We love Westcliff Meeting

THE MP for Southend West & Leigh, David Burton-Sampson, hosted a large public meeting as part of his growing “We love Westcliff” campaign.
Almost a hundred people signed up for the meeting to discuss the best way to improve civic pride in the area.
Mr Burton-Sampson said: “It was fantastic to see so many people turn up, ready to roll up their sleeves and make Westcliff even better.
“It was a very productive and positive meeting and I am sure we are going to achieve a lot more in the future. Well done everyone for sparing the time to help.”
The MP gave a progress report on everything that has been achieved so far, including the summer Impact Day when 20 council officers patrolled the area, along with police teams and their e bike squad and resident’s groups and councillors gave out information.
Mr Burton-Sampson outlined how he is meeting the Secretary of State for Communities, Angela Rayner, next month to tell her about “We love Westcliff” and campaign to secure funding for gated alleyways in the area, to help erase long-standing fly-tipping problems.
He added: “This is something I really want to achieve. It’s not straightforward because it’s not council owned land, but I don’t like to hear what we can’t do, I want to make sure we can!”
Daniel Cowan, the Leader of Southend City Council, provided an update on how the partnership between the council, local teams and the steering group is progressing. He emphasised that the guiding principles of civic pride and strengthening community responsibility.
Key priorities for the council include continued investment in parks, playgrounds, pavements and roads, while also tackling local concerns such as anti-social behaviour, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and fly-tipping. He stressed that success depends on close collaboration with residents, the police and community partners.
Mr Burton-Sampson introduced Coun Kay Mitchell, the organiser of the Hamlet Court Road in Harmony festival, who talked about community spirit, followed by Warren Harper from the Metal project in Chalkwell Park.
Mr Harper told the meeting of the wide-ranging outreach work that Metal do, their positive engagement with younger people and teachers and their artistic projects like House in Common, based around the historic landmark of Chalkwell Hall.
The area’s strong cultural heritage was emphasized throughout the meeting and ably demonstrated by local musician Shaun, an acoustic guitar singer songwriter, who entertained the crowd before the question-and-answer session.
Residents had time to voice their concerns over parking, anti-social behaviour and pride in the appearance of the area, as well as their hopes for more green spaces and an improved environment, including an idea to redecorate a phone box.
Mr Burton-Sampson concluded by expressing confidence that the level of engagement shown at the meeting reflected a really positive commitment to improving the local area.
He said: “I think this community’s willingness to get involved is fantastic. It was a great turn out and it bodes really well for the future.
“I am confident that we are going love Westcliff for a very long time.”
Picture: The We Love Westcliff meeting.
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