Dear West Leigh Resident

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Within West Leigh Ward there will be many that know me, either as Freddie’s mum, a friend, honorary Vice President of Southend District Netball League, previous Chair of West Leigh Parents Association or just someone that used to work at Leigh Town Council. 

 

But for those that don’t know me, how do you know I’ve got the qualities and time to represent you?

 

Well I’m very much a person who gets involved in anything I do. As a kid I was a competitive swimmer and from there became a swimming teacher and coach. In addition to netball and sitting on the League committee for many years, I played golf and was Treasurer and Ladies Captain for my clubs.  I even volunteer in London for the netball Super League. 

 

As Clerk for Leigh, I didn’t just do that role, for Essex Clerks I was their National Forum representative on our professional membership body. For Leigh I was on the Leigh Partnership Group and the Board of the Southend Tourism Partnership. 

 

My work life started in Leigh. In 1983 I stepped into Barclays Leigh Road and then moved up the road to Leigh Broadway. In 1992 I stepped away from banking and had my own Event Management Company for 14 years. I never thought in my 50’s I’d find a new career but the world of local government lured me in in 2013 and I was hooked. As a Clerk you are the legal, financial and HR adviser to Council as well as being a community champion, project manager and compliance officer, asset manager etc etc. You also need a truckload of resilience! 

 

I may not be a Clerk anymore but it seems my time as one provided me with an excellent reputation far & wide. I have not been short of work and love the variety and the part time element, from my strategic role at the SLCC, to hands on at my little Council in Kent to all the projects I’ve completed for Councils. My Internal Audit business has doubled in size in 2 years and this year I shall head off next week to the Fens to start the first of the 32 Council audits to complete before the end of June. 

 

That might sound like I’m really busy, but the way I work means I have the time and flexibility to give the role of being your councillor the focus and priority it deserves.

 

Having lived in West Leigh for over 30 years, I care deeply about our community and its future.

 

That is why I am standing in this year’s Southend City Council election — to ensure West Leigh has a strong voice, independent of any national political party, focused purely on local issues.

 

My priorities for Leigh:

 

• Supporting and retaining Leigh’s assets

• Keeping Leigh safe

• Protecting our street scenes

• Protecting our green spaces

• Promoting higher standards, full transparency and exceptional professionalism across the WHOLE of Southend City Council

 

If you want a truly local voice standing up for West Leigh, I would be honoured to receive your vote. Every vote really matters in local elections.

 

If you’re looking for someone who will roll their sleeves up, speak up when it matters, and use their experience to get things right — I’d really appreciate your vote on 7th May.

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Helen Symmons

West Leigh Confelicity Candidate

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