Dear Resident, This years elections to Southend City Council are more important than ever.

Full statement

We are at a crossroads between rebuilding a sustainable Council that can continue to provide quality local services or risking another £14 million black hole in our finances with a directionless, chaotic Lib-Lab Coalition. This will have a real impact in our community of West Leigh, where this year sound financial management and sensible policies have helped us bring back regular grass cutting, protect Leigh Library, and deliver on your local priorities.

I am determined to be a strong voice for West Leigh so that we can protect our community for generations to come. If elected to be your councillor, you will have a friend inside the Council Chamber actively listening to you and promoting West Leigh. To put it simply I want us to deliver on the basics: better quality roads and pavements, safer streets with more visible policing, and sustainable public finances that allow us to invest in the future of Southend.

Our community in West Leigh needs another councillor with the skills, energy and determination to pursue policies that protect our street-scene and our public finances. Through my experiences working with our community and on the Council, I know how to get results for residents which is the most important thing. Right now our neighbours need security knowing that our councillors will be able to deal with the financial pressures left by Labour and the Liberal Democrats whilst keeping our Council Tax low and protecting our public services.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with your concerns. I am standing to serve you, the residents, and will always be prepared to put our local interest in West Leigh first!

Best wishes,

Lesley Salter