Thank you to every Waterwatch Southend member who attended the Community Meeting on Monday 24 November and to everyone who voted online or in person. Your involvement continues to build a strong, local, community-led model for holding those responsible for our water quality to account.
This meeting marked an important step in establishing the first Waterwatch Southend Community Committee.
Election Results
A total of 58 online votes were received, along with in-person ballots on the night. The top seven candidates have been elected to the inaugural Waterwatch Southend Community Committee:
• Andrew Hall
• Anna Firth
• Kim Hall
• Marcelle Baum
• Naomi Cox
• Peter Lovett
• William Taylor
The committee will now begin its work, including appointing two local business representatives to complete the nine-member structure.
Meeting Recap
The evening opened with the Waterwatch Meeting Behaviour Statement, reaffirming our commitment to respectful and constructive discussion.
Members discussed:
• the new governance structure
• the responsibilities of the Community Committee
• expectations around transparency, community engagement and meeting standards
• the role of stakeholders (MPs, councillors, water companies, Environment Agency) as non-voting participants
• priorities for the next quarter, including the date of the next Water Summit
The group also agreed the term length for the Chair role. Following discussion, members supported a one-year term with a six-month review, as suggested by Kim Hall. This gives stability while allowing rotation if needed.
There was strong interest in expanding outreach, education, and visibility across Southend. Funding applications and partnership work with local organisations will support this.
Daniella closed the meeting by thanking all members for their continued support and especially those who stood as candidates. She noted that every member will have a role in spreading the word, increasing community participation, and strengthening Waterwatch’s impact.
Governance Documents
You can read the governance documents discussed at the meeting here:
Southend Page
Southend’s dedicated page is available here and includes all minutes and agendas from previous community meetings:
https://waterwatchuk.org/southend-on-sea/
Share this...
Sign up for our newsletter
Southend Community Committee Elections – Results and Meeting Recap
Reading Time: 2 minutesThank you to every Waterwatch Southend member who attended the Community Meeting on Monday 24 November and to everyone who voted online or in person. Your involvement continues to build a strong, local, community-led model for holding those responsible for our water quality to account. This meeting marked an important step in establishing the first…
Read MoreSouthend Community Committee Elections
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Community Committee elections take place on Monday 24th November at the next community meeting. Venue Leigh Sailing Club. Doors open at 18:00, meeting. commences 18:30. Voting closes at 19:00.If you cannot attend and you are a member wanting to vote, you can contact Daniella to arrange to vote on Sunday between 13:00 and 15:00…
Read MoreWaterwatch UK: Now a Registered Charity and a New Chapter Begins in Southend
Reading Time: 2 minutesWe’re proud to announce that Waterwatch UK formally became a registered charity on 1 September 2025: Charity No. 1214739. This marks a major step forward for our mission to build a national movement for water justice: one that began right here in Southend. A New Era for the Southend Water Summits From the first quarter…
Read MoreWaterwatch Day 2025
Reading Time: 7 minutesOur first ever Waterwatch Day took place on 28th June under the blazing sun at Chalkwell Beach, Southend and what a day it was. With over 250 direct engagements with members of the public, the event was a resounding success. From curious passers-by to dedicated campaigners, we had meaningful conversations about water quality, pollution, and the power…
Read MoreWhy Conservation Needs Communities, Not Just Commandments
Reading Time: 2 minutesIt’s easy to think that protecting the natural world is just a matter of passing the right laws or drawing lines on a map. But real, lasting conservation doesn’t start in government offices—it begins in communities. Too often, environmental initiatives are handed down like rules from above. Well-intentioned policies arrive with official stamps and big…
Read MoreCommunity Voices and the Future of Water Governance
Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe Independent Water Commission’s interim report, released on 3 June 2025, highlights systemic failures in England and Wales’s water sector. It emphasises the need for comprehensive reforms in strategic planning, regulation, company governance, and infrastructure management. Key Findings: Community Engagement: Waterwatch UK, representing community interests, submitted a detailed response to the Commission’s call for evidence.…
Read More