Councillors Jonathon Hawkes, Alina Vaduva, and Kelly Grehan attended the South East Regional Conference in Portsmouth this past weekend, where they engaged in key discussions on regional policy, governance, and public services. The conference brought together councillors, MPs, unions and , and party activists from across the South East. They were there to exchange ideas, share best practices, and address pressing challenges facing the region.

Throughout the event, Cllrs Hawkes, Vaduva, and Grehan participated in a range of workshops and panel discussions covering topics such as housing, economic development, and social care. Their attendance provided an opportunity to highlight local concerns, learn from successful initiatives elsewhere, and bring back valuable insights to benefit their respective constituencies.

As dedicated representatives, they took the opportunity to ensure that the voices of their residents were heard on a wider stage. The conference served as a platform for collaboration and advocacy, reinforcing their efforts to improve services, strengthen community support, and push for policies that foster positive change in their local areas.

Cllr Hawkes addressed the conference on the matter of devolution.  You can see his speech here: