People deserve to know what is going on
Local government only works if people understand what is happening and feel like they are being told the truth.
At the moment, too often, they are not.
Communication should not just be about sharing good news. There is a lot that is not working properly, and people already know that.
But equally there is a lot of good stuff that is going on that isn’t being shared enough.
But only posting updates about potholes being repaired that have been ignored for months or years does not build trust. It does the opposite.
Honest communication, not selective updates
If a pothole is fixed months after it was first reported, posting about it as a success is not meaningful communication.
It frustrates people.
Good communication should be:
- Honest about what is working and what is not
- Clear about what is being done
- Open about delays and challenges
- Focused on what actually matters locally
People do not expect perfection. They expect honesty.
A real example from one day
Yesterday is a good example of the problem.
I came across a speed consultation from Essex County Council. It is exactly the sort of thing residents would want to know about, yet I have not seen it shared or explained by any councillors around here or from further away.
That should not happen.
On the same day, I attended a SEND roadshow and spoke to some really knowledgeable people about SEND provision. I made contact with groups I had not even heard of before.
The issue is, I only found out about that event through word of mouth at another SEND meeting.
That roadshow should have been promoted everywhere. People dealing with those challenges need to know these things are happening.
Instead, we often see updates about potholes being fixed long after the issue was first raised.
That is not meaningful communication.
People are not being kept informed
I also attended a tea and coffee drop in at Elmstead Market.
It was a really positive session, but one of the main themes that came up again and again was how little information people feel they get.
That is a problem.
People should not have to rely on chance conversations to understand what is happening in their area.
Representation means more than turning up
Being a county councillor is not just about attending meetings.
It is about making sure the views of the area are actually heard.
I like to think I do this with things like the Local Plan Consultation, SAH4, encouraging people to share their thoughts on Essex County Council initiatives via the residents panel, and the quarry consultation etc.
But it needs to go further.
There are wider county consultations and applications happening across the year, and too often local voices are not properly represented.
I will make sure they are.
How I will do things differently
If elected, I will take a much more open and consistent approach.
That includes:
- Sharing consultations clearly and early
- Providing regular, honest updates
- Explaining decisions and what they mean locally
- Being open about problems, not just successes
This is about building trust through transparency.
Questions Voters May Wish to Ask
When engaging with any candidate, it is reasonable to ask:
- How will people raise issues with you outside of formal channels?
- Will you hold regular drop in sessions or meetings?
- How will you keep residents informed, not just when things go well but when there are problems?
- Do you actively encourage people to take part in things like the Essex Residents Panel?
- How do you make sure people who are not already engaged still hear about opportunities to get involved?
- How do you currently share information about consultations and local issues?
- How have you promoted things like the speed consultation survey or other local consultations?
- What have you personally done to represent local views in recent consultations?
- What was your individual response to the Local Plan consultation?
- How did you encourage others to contribute or have their say?
You should be able to speak back
This should not feel like a one-way conversation.
Residents should be able to give feedback, challenge decisions and be heard.
I will:
- Hold regular monthly drop in sessions
- Keep my door open, as it is now
- Invite feedback directly, not just through formal channels
- Actively listen and respond
I will also bring a structured approach to feedback, based on my professional experience.
In my career, I have worked in environments where senior leaders are reviewed by their teams through 360 feedback.
That means listening properly, acting on feedback and being accountable.
There is no reason that mindset should not apply here as well.
A simple principle
This comes down to something straightforward.
Be open.
Be honest.
Be accountable.
And actually tell people what is going on.
And make sure people actually know what is going on.