LONDONERS snapping up Southend homes will hike up property prices and make them out of reach for residents, council bosses fear. As property experts Property Market Index revealed more people from the city are moving to Southend, concerns are rising about the impact on the borough’s residents. Lousia Wright, 34, of Esplanade Gardens, Southend said there’s definitely a danger Londoners moving to the seaside town will affect residents from the borough. She said: “I’ve seen evidence of this and think it’s been happening for a little while now. “Prices have just gone astronomical and crazy especially down on the seafront.
Senior Tory councillors insisted election night was “beyond their wildest dreams” as the party won three seats. Discussions are now in full swing over forming a coalition with 23 seats in the borough now blue and leader Tony Cox confident of achieving a Tory minority administration. The party sits three seats short of having full control of the council. Mr Cox said: “The polls show this administration has been rejected. Residents don’t want the Independents propping up the council any more. “They’ve made no gain, and they’ve eroded the lead they’ve had. “What’s happened is beyond our wildest dreams.”
A spokesman for Sir David’s office said: “Sir David is both shocked and horrified. The quote is absolutely not from him and the person who made up the quote never spoke to Sir David about it or asked his permission to use it. “It most certainly does not reflect his views. It is absolutely not the case that ministers do not work with opposition controlled councils - quite the reverse. “Sir David has a very good working relationship with the leader of the council and if he ever brings an issue to his attention he deals with it and will continue to do so.”