I had the honour and privilege to have served you until last May as your ‘Truly’ non-aligned Independent councillor.

Full statement

During my time in the Army, I was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) in recognition of ‘going beyond the call of duty,’ and I believe that during the past years that I served and represented you, the residents, to that same standard. My attendance at meetings was exemplary. This, I believe, demonstrated my full commitment to the role and the prioritising of my time so that the residents were represented at every meeting. The statistics are available at https://democracy.southend.gov.uk

During my time serving you as your councillor it only reinforced my belief that the local elections are about local issues, and local people, and I firmly believe that they should be free of party allegiance with all the Councillors working together for and on behalf of the residents we represent.

I am standing again for election as a ‘truly’ non-aligned Independent Councillor, (not part of a political party or group), to enable me to continue to serve YOU without the constraints of national party guidelines or local party policies, which allows me to continue to represent ALL the residents of Blenheim Park Ward, irrespective of your political views.

I initially stood for election because I felt politically homeless in the political climate, and I was disillusioned with our local politicians and the bureaucrats treating us with contempt and not listening or respecting our views. I wanted real democracy and felt it was time for me as an ordinary local resident who lives locally and shares your daily frustrations, to do something about the issues we encounter and to be able to make a difference.

I believe I made a difference and that is why I’m standing again for re-election in Blenheim Park Ward.

When I was elected, I promised:

To ensure the views and the interests of the local people are represented within the council To promote the interests of local people and communities To make decisions based on developing the well-being of local residents To be held to account by the communities and local residents To use my previous experience as a School Business Manager/Bursar to scrutinise and ensure public finances are used wisely and honestly To act with honesty, integrity and accountability

I kept my promise to you, the residents, and I want to serve you again to see completion of the numerous ongoing projects and the concerns and issues that you had brought to me.

I have been out canvassing and delivering leaflets in the Ward and apologise if I have not been able to personally meet you all. If you see me out please feel free to stop and speak to me as I am here to work on your behalf and I want to help resolve the issues that you are facing. It was not difficult being an Independent Councillor without the allegiance of a major political party, all it took was a willingness to listen, consult and represent the views of people in the community in order to be effective.

I’m committed to:

Living in a safer community with parking and speeding issues resolved Ensure maintenance of the footways, roads and grass verges Holding others to account on broken election promises Fighting for a better bus service, including a dial a ride provision. Monitoring budgets, preventing overspend and not wasted on vanity projects. Improving health and wellbeing for residents Protecting green spaces and the environment If I’m re-elected I will continue to be open, honest, hardworking and fully committed to working for the benefit of every resident in Blenheim Park Ward and make sure Blenheim Park Ward is not forgotten.

You can visit my Facebook page, facebook.com/independentblenheimview or contact me on 07877210184 should you require any further information.

Yours Faithfully,

Keith Evans