Opposition unveils plan to take control of Southend Council

Just weeks after Tory Tony Cox was elected leader, he is set to be kicked out with a vote of no confidence planned on Monday.

A coalition of Labour, Independents and Lib Dem councillors boast 31 of the council’s 51 seats meaning any vote is likely to succeed in removing not just the leader but the entire Conservative cabinet.

Labour group leader Ian Gilbert is expected to take control with Independent councillor Ron Woodley becoming deputy leader - despite the Independents claiming they could not work under a political party leader earlier this month.

Mr Gilbert said: “People in Southend voted for change, and it is now clear that the Conservatives are unable to command the support of a majority of councillors.

“The Labour, Independent and Liberal Democrat groups have come to an agreement that guarantees a stable administration for a year, and a balanced, legal budget.

“We have reached broad agreement on policies which we believe will deliver for people right across the borough.”

The coalition is expected to take on some of a ten-point plan from the Tories and is also promising more social housing, a landlord licensing scheme, better street lighting, a review of parking, improvements to children’s centres and a strong campaign to keep all health services at Southend Hospital.

Lib Dem leader Carole Mulroney said: “We will take a sensible approach and rather than ditching them for the sake of it we will defer the Tory proposals until we can see how they fit in with our own priorities.

Current council leader Tony Cox claimed the vote of no confidence was a surprise because he had been leader for such a short amount of time.

Mr Cox suspects it was called because “individuals are putting self interest ahead of the good of the town”.

The Conservatives lost control - and their leader James Courtenay - during the local election losing eight seats.

However, opposition parties were originally unable to agree so the Tories kept control.