CANVEY ISLAND TOWN COUNCIL is one of the few parish councils in the country to be run by local politicians. Most are led by local business and community leaders with strong links to local churches and charities. In most rural English parishes, politicians are kept at arms length, with the result that the Parish Council does not become just another tier of local government – fought over by local political parties.
Local community and business leaders, it can be argued, have far more to offer the community than part-time politicians; because they live and work within the community they serve. In addition, they often have far more skills in problem solving and experience of getting things done than those just seeking a chance to carve-out a political career.
Many local business leaders, of course, traditionally gravitate towards the local Conservative Party; but those whom don’t, perhaps surprisingly, rarely align themselves with the Liberal Democrats or Labour. In addition, no Church leader is about to give their support to a single political party.
Parish Councils were not created as political entities: they were formed from the close ties between local Churches; local charitable organisations; and local philanthropic business leaders whom all shared the common objective of building a safe, healthy, prosperous – and happy – community.
And at their heart was the Church.
When a resident fell upon hard times; when its elderly were unable to cope; when its youth had nothing to do; and when a bright entrepreneurial citizen had an idea that would benefit the whole community: the Parish Council were there to help and facilitate – for free (and without claiming annual ‘allowances’).
Canvey is not a God-forsaken island. Its Churches are well attended and their leaders are more active in this community than many others nationwide. So the question has to be asked: why are our Church leaders not represented on our Town Council? Why has our Town Council no heart?
This is an appeal to all the island’s congregations to badger their leaders into standing for the local Town Council Elections in May.
This year: let us make sure that we give our Town Council a heart…
Become a Councillor
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