Residents were the focus of this year’s State of Tendring speech, delivered by the Leader of Tendring District Council last night (Tuesday, 19 May).

Councillor Mark Stephenson renewed the authority’s commitment to the people of the area as part of the annual statement delivered to a full council meeting.

He began by outlining that the authority exists “not for the paperwork, not the processes, not the politics. [For] the people.”

He reminded councillors of the pressures on local government, adding that rather than hiding behind the challenges, “we have kept going. We have kept delivering. And Tendring is in a stronger place because of it.”

Councillor Stephenson highlighted a snapshot of the successes of the council over the past year, and what that looks like in practice for residents.

This included adoption of a new Housing Strategy which was working to prevent families becoming homeless, and the new waste contract which would see an expanded kerbside collection service for homes in the district from later this year.

He pointed towards the success of council-run services such as the Princes Theatre, which continued to receive TripAdvisor awards and stage incredible shows, and the Ofsted-rated ‘good’ Career Track apprenticeship service.

Meanwhile in town centres Councillor Stephenson celebrated CCTV upgrades and ongoing work on major transformation projects; and in communities, improvements in activity statistics pointing to better health outcomes for residents – along with council financial support for the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Clacton hospital.

Councillor Stephenson reiterated the council’s opposition to the National Grid pylon scheme, due to its impact on the district’s rural communities, and celebrated the Blue and Green Flag awards as pinnacles of recognition for Tendring’s beaches and open spaces.

He acknowledged the ongoing issue of Local Government Reorganisation, and stated it was the council’s job to respond to the direction set by government, “to protect our residents throughout the process, and to make sure Tendring’s voice is heard clearly… and, as our mantra has always been, put Tendring in the best possible place.”

Councillor Stephenson went on to say: “What I will not allow is for uncertainty about the future to become an excuse for standing still in the present. Residents will need us tomorrow just as much as they need us today.

“That responsibility does not pause. Neither do we.”

Councillor Stephenson also reminded members of the sound financial position the authority was in, as set out in the annual Budget speech earlier in the year, adding “the position is secure, and that gives us the platform to get on with the job”.

In addition he paid tribute to the “tireless efforts” of council staff “who care deeply about this district” for doing the “quiet, unglamorous, essential work of running a council”, as well as to his fellow Cabinet members for the work they do in their respective portfolios.

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