Labour and Lib Dems form joint administration to lead Southend Council
Following the local elections, no party secured the required majority to lead the council independently
Southend-on-Sea City Council will be run by a Joint Administration following an agreement between the Labour Party and Liberal Democrat group, alongside support from the Rochford and Southend East Independent Group.
The confirmation came after the Full Council meeting on Monday 18th May, following local elections where no party secured the required majority of 26 seats to lead the council independently.
Labour, holding 17 seats, has formed this minority joint administration, marking a collaborative approach to local governance.
Councillor Daniel Cowan, leading as Council Leader, expressed his intentions to work with a renewed cabinet to drive progress in regeneration and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
“It is a great honour to continue as the Leader of the Council. I am looking forward to working with a renewed cabinet to continue to build a better city on behalf of all our residents, businesses and local partners,” Cowan said.
He further stressed the aim to build stable administration to deliver the shared priorities around regeneration and safely progressing through LGR.
Collaborative efforts will include engagement with council staff, highlighting their significant contributions, Cowan noted.
The new cabinet appointments are as follows:
Cllr Daniel Cowan: Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and LGR
Cllr Maxine Sadza: Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Social Care and Healthier Communities
Cllr Irene Ferguson: Cabinet Member for Housing and Preventing Homelessness
Cllr Mandy O’Connor: Cabinet Member for Children and SEND
Cllr Kevin Robinson: Cabinet Member for Planning, Property and Governance
Cllr Matt Dent: Cabinet Member for Business, Culture, Music and Tourism
Cllr Cheryl Nevin: Cabinet Member for Civic Pride
Cllr Paul Collins: Cabinet Member for Finance and Transport
Cllr Ron Woodley: Cabinet Member for Capital Projects and Public Protection
Cllr Chris Webster: Cabinet Member for Technology, Learning, and Customer Services
Appointments to various committees were agreed upon and can be viewed on the council's democracy pages.