LOCAL ISSUES

from Oracle June 2023

futureSouthend’s?

seaside clear from sewage. I don’t know what has happened, but there is something quite dead and heavy and anchoring about our current generation of visualisers. It's almost as though they do not live in Southend. If the spreadsheet is balanced, the ambition is fulfilled.

Whilst our ancestors planned, they built a town with roads, schools, hospitals, houses, parks, world's longest pleasure piers, swimming pools, sports clubs and high streets, our generation seem to do well with the wrecking ball.

When we talk about the world's longest pleasure pier that happens to be on our doorstep, what do we do with it?

The Pier

The Pier itself is in good shape. The boards are sturdy. The view on a sunny day is magnificent. You can even see seals on a lucky day. The trains are new and visitor records have been broken so someone out there has enjoyed some back-patting.

It also just won a competition recently, but Southend residents all know the truth - there is very little on the Pier that is in keeping with what it promises to be.

Returning Ambition

Can we not think how our ancestor’s thought?

Southend could be made into a destination town, bring The Pier back to its former glory and better. There is no reason why we can’t have the same aspirations for The Pier as France had and achieved for the Eiffel Tower. Let’s create an opportunity for Southend to exude the ambition, invention, and imagination that our town was originally founded on and that our new city could be inspired by.

Pies and Skies

So, what can we do? What ideas can we muster? Commercially, souvenir shops, photo opportunities, fish & chip restaurants, and traditional seaside fayre would easily make a good living if run in the right way. Pretty boring but it would pay for other things.

How about bringing the bandstand back where the talent of Southend can showcase themselves to hundreds of thousands of visitors?

What if we made much more of the functionality of the Pier such as the RNLI building, fishing, shipping, and conservation? Maybe weave this into a visitor journey experience?

The town needs to build on attracting more ships to moor off the end of the pier, such as the El Galeon Spanish tall ship, this will attract more visitors. This was an excellent idea and those involved should be commended.

What if we enhanced the Southend Museum giving residents a deeper understanding of our local history and bringing back a sense of civic pride. This would be an opportunity for tourists to understand our culture and show more respect.

Would a mini theatre seem a step too far? Or a mini-Eden Project that could focus on the marine environment? Locals should be allowed their opinion on these or any other great ideas for the town.

Southend residents are bursting with ideas, and I have no doubt that there will be so many commercially viable and culturally enhancing schemes out there. Why not ask them?

Welcome

Wonderful spaces are designed to provide a safe, comfortable enjoyable environment = for residents, staff and visitors...

We offer the same warm welcome to visitors

We encourage friends and family to visit and enjoy our wonderful home.

We’d love to show you around the home, so if you should like a tour, or wish to discuss any aspect of care, please telephone to make an appointment.

Op Community: Cracking down on e-scooters and cycling on Southend High Street

The Southend Community Policing Team have been out on the High Street to educate the public and enforce the terms of Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) after complaints about reckless cyclists and the illegal riding of e-scooters.

Southend-on-Sea City Council introduced the PSPO in 2019, and it was renewed last year to include two additional restrictions to allow fines to be issued to people cycling or using e-scooters in a way that has a negative effect or poses a risk to pedestrians.

New signage has been installed around Southend city centre and all routes onto the High Street clearly displaying that cycling and e-scooting on High Street and anywhere in the PSPO area (link) is prohibited.

The cycling restrictions do not apply to police officers who are on duty.

Eleven officers from the Town Centre Team –including three on pedal cycles – were joined by five of the council’s Community Safety Officers, and two Business Improvement District (BID) Rangers to raise awareness that breaching the PSPO could land riders with a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).

19 People Stopped

Over the course of an afternoon and evening, they stopped 19 people for breaching the PSPO, took their details and gave them warnings.

Three people were issued with FPNs after deciding to ignore requests to stop riding.

The activity forms part of Operation Community, a new initiative that will see significant numbers of officers from all areas of the force taking part in days of action to combat issues raised by local people in every district across the county.

This enhanced engagement and crime prevention operation takes a proactive approach that emphasises listening to the local community, problem-solving, and investigating all concerns to achieve the best outcomes.

270 Ofﬁcers deployed

The first day of action saw more than 270 officers deployed to tackle issues including drug dealing, anti-social behaviour, theft, and speeding.

Sergeant Steve Wells of Southend CPT said the team had been successful in spreading the word about the terms of the PSPO and that the feedback from people on the High Street had been very encouraging.

“It’s clear that cycling and e-scooters in the pedestrianised areas of city centre have become a significant frustration for everyone. We’re aware of at least two incidents where young children have been knocked over by people on e-scooters. “The new signage makes it clear what the rules are, but this operation was very much about engagement and educating people on the High Street about what they are allowed and not allowed to do.

“Our presence was very well received and there were numerous positive conversations and comments from members of the public.”

If you have concerns about child exploitation, you can report them online at www.essex.police.uk/ro where you can also speak to an online Live Chat operator on weekdays between 10am and 9pm. Alternatively, you can ring 101.