Outlook Issue 18 Spring 2011 by i•creation

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YOUR OFFICIAL SOUTHEND-ON-SEA BOROUGH COUNCIL MAGAZINE

Outlook www.southend.gov.uk

ISSUE 18 Spring 2011

BOROUGH UNITES in a show of

CIVIC PRIDE PAGE SEVEN

Census is key to millions of pounds in funding PAGE NINE

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Make a difference to s your busines hire an Apprentice

“YOU’RE HIRED!” Interested in hiring an Apprentice?.. Train and mentor the “perfect” employee Southend Adult Community College offers a TODAY these roles, call us. We can help you on your Health, HealthOR & Social Care: TAKE ON AN APPRENTICE HIRE AN APPRENTICE ADVANCED wide range of apprenticeship training, enabling apprenticeship journey. • Care worker • Day care assistant Skills shortages are a key threat to the future growth of your APPRENTICE FOR THE FOLLOWING you to gain experience whilst working towards • Healthcare assistant • Dietetic assistant business. If you are thinking of recruiting or up-skilling your KEY BUSINESS• Nursing AREAS: a successful career. You’ll also get paid a assistant • Care manager workforce, why not take on an apprentice and benefit from minimum wage of £95 per week. • Home care assistant Service • Business Administration • Customer government funded training and recruitment support throughout? • Senior healthcare assistant • Team Leading • Horticulture You will gain qualifications relevant to your Southend Adult Community College currently offers over 20 • Occupational, physiotherapy or Arts • Design and technology • Media and Performing chosen career, through a mixture between Apprenticeship programmes. Apprenticeships are the perfect way to radiotherapy assistant on-job and off-job training. College • Community Development • Health and Social Care train your staff and make your business more effective, productive attendance will be either 1 day a week, or • Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Supporting Teaching and competitive, even in uncertain economic times. evenings, or 1 week blocks. andand Learning in Schools: • Children's Care Learning Development Apprentices make a valuable contribution to your business enabling • Advanced ICT support• Teaching/classroom assistant Depending on your role all your assessments you to recruit and train new employees or train your existing staff. As could happen in your workplace. employees, apprentices earn a wage, gain job-specific skills and Apprenticeship training is supported by nationally recognised qualifications. Government funding and, unlike university Remember courses, is available FREE if you're aged As an employer, you cannot fail to be impressed by HOW DOES IT ALL REALLY WORK? 16-18. an Apprentice. They are with you because they The College offers a free expert support service for employers, to want to learn from your business skills. By investing If you’re over the age of 18 you can become guide you through the whole process. We help develop your in them, you are investing in the future potential of an apprentice if your employer agreesyour to share vacancy advertisement and support business in finding the your business. the cost of your training. If you're interested in, right applicants. or have already started a career in any of Come on and say, “you’re hired” today!

Make a difference to your life, become an Apprentice If you would like further details of Southend Adult – call Southend Adult Community College today on Community College’s Apprenticeship programmes, call 01702 445736 or visit www.southend-adult.ac.uk 01702 445736 or visit www.southend-adult.ac.uk Email:trainingforbusiness@southend-adult.ac.uk trainingforbusiness@southend-adult.ac.uk Email:

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By Council Chief Executive ROB TINLIN

Spring 2011 N E W S & F E AT U R E S

LOCAL authorities across the country are under pressure from increasing demand for services, inflationary pressures and reductions in central Government grants. Councils are dealing with funding reductions in different ways, with some directly affecting libraries, care homes, swimming pools and other services. Here in Southend, we have tried to minimise the impact for our customers. Whilst it is impossible to make savings of over £15million without some effects, we are making efficiency savings behind the scenes wherever we can. In making the decisions, we have taken on board views given by local residents in a major budget consultation last autumn. Examples of our approach include investing in technology to allow more services to be delivered online and sending mobile teams out on the road to deliver services directly to the public. Saving money in these ways means we have avoided stopping or closing any of our services, although some are being targeted to those who need them most. Unfortunately this year is just the first of several years of cuts in Government grants to us. We are already planning ahead for the next few years, to try to maintain our services as best we can. One thing you can all do to ensure we have the maximum resources is to complete the Census form on 27 March. The money we receive from Government is calculated from the Census figures. In the last ten years we have lost out on around £75 million because we believe that the population was undercounted in 2001. Please do your bit this year. Another date to remember is 5 May, election day. A third of Council seats will be decided across the town’s 17 wards. The public can vote in the referendum on national electoral reform and there will be Town Council elections in Leigh. So make the most of your right to vote. Finally, some good news. The four big regeneration projects at Progress Road, Cuckoo Corner, Victoria Gateway and City Beach are almost complete and we should see the real benefits, for residents and visitors over the coming months and years. This magazine can be provided in alternative formats such as Braille, audio-tape or in large print. For a copy of this magazine in another format, or to order more copies, please call 01702 215000 ext 5020 or email youroutlook@southend.gov.uk.

Community initiative is transforming lives . . . . . . 5 Historic churchyard gets a makeover . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Ambitious tree planting programme . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Efficiency savings help balance the books . . . . 10 Gearing up for important May elections . . . . . . 11

Why Katrina rules the waves . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12/13 £25m improvements near completion . . . . . . . . 14 Catching a bug is proving healthy . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Art project celebrates link with Japan . . . . . . . . . . . 16

CONTENTS

Careful plans protect front line services

DO IT ONLINE! Smartphone users – scan the QR code below with a barcode scanner app to access our website

College centre is simply the BEST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Vital support on the home front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Borough Mayor’s pride in civic year . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 What’s On Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20/21 Know your councillors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22/23

Outlook is written, designed and produced by Smith Davis Press in partnership with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. The information contained in this publication has been accepted from the contributors in good faith, and whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of going to press, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council cannot accept responsibility for any errors, misrepresentations or subsequent changes. Whilst all possible care is taken in the preparation of this publication, no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting as a result of the material contained herein can be accepted by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, the authors or the publisher. Southend-on-Sea Borough Council does not endorse any of the products or services advertised within this publication. Printed by PCP.

Say it – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

for Southend Outlook is printed on recycled paper. When you have finished with this publication please help the environment by passing it on to a friend or recycling it.

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FIND OUT MORE ONLINE!

The Better Southend Campaign is nearing completion. The deadline for four major projects to be finished is the end of March 2011.

BIG CHANGES FOR A BETTER SOUTHEND

CITY BEACH

VICTORIA GATEWAY

CUCKOO CORNER

PROGRESS ROAD

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and its contractors will complete the improvements on time and on budget. The Council secured ÂŁ25 million of Government funding to pay for this much-needed regeneration of the road network and sea front. We apologise for any disruption during the works and would like to thank everyone for their patience. The benefits these projects bring to the Borough are there for all to see. The aim is to make Southend a better place to Live, Work and Play.

Please visit our website for more detailed information regarding the four road improvement schemes and for progress updates

www.bettersouthend.com This website is updated regularly, however the website is not the only place you can get information. Please check local media outlets for information, weekly reports and scheme progress. For up-to-date traffic reports listen to Southend Radio (105.1 FM), BBC Essex (95.3/103.5FM) or Heart (96.3/102.6FM BETTER JOURNEYS

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BETTER DAYS OUT

BETTER BUSINESS

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The highly successful three-year Motivate the Estate community transformation programme delivered by the Council and the national charity Youth at Risk will leave a lasting legacy. Here 24-year-old mum-of-two CHERYL GRIEVES, who is one of 400 adults coached to be positive role models for their communities, tells her story...

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP – Cheryl Grieves with her son Logan pictured near the Centre Place Family Centre in Prospect Close.

Why I’m determined to make sure my son and daughter have a better childhood than I did

‘‘ E

VERYTHING changed after I completely lost it at the children’s centre. I’d had a real go at my daughter Jamie-Lee and a woman got right in my face, nose-to-nose, and told me I couldn’t behave like that. I thought cheeky cow but I knew she was right and I knew I had to get help. See, it’s not exactly been easy my life. I’ve got a short fuse, no surprise really since I suffered abuse for about fifteen and a half years. I worked on an egg stall at the Mile End market when I was nine, started smoking fags at 10 and experimented with drugs at 13. I didn’t do crack or heroin or nothing like that but I did smoke weed and nearly died twice taking ecstasy. Me and my mum moved to Southend when I was 15 and I got pregnant with Jamie-Lee at 16. She’s seven now and registered disabled. She’s got ODD, ADHD, severe learning difficulties and suffers with memory loss and clumsiness. Reflux is a big problem. She can’t keep her food

and drink down and sometimes throws up 30 times a day. I know it sounds terrible but I didn’t want her in the beginning. I had post-natal depression and I cried, and cried and cried. It wasn’t that I didn’t love her, I just couldn’t cope and didn’t know how to be a mum.

Toddlers and parents groups Then I had Logan. He’s three now and very bright. We live in a first-floor flat in Shoeburyness. I’ve had debt problems so that hasn’t helped and I’ve been in trouble with the police. I’m not the sort of person to open up but once I’d started talking to a Family Support Worker at Centre Place Family Centre things started getting better. I started going to toddlers and parents groups and I started getting counselling. Someone suggested coaching as part of the Motivate the Estate programme and I thought

it’d be barrel of laughs. I get coaching once a week. It got right down to the core of my problems. I used to think of it as interference. Now I know it’s help. Compared to this time last year, everything’s changed. I’ve sorted out my debts and we have a diagnosis for Jamie-Lee’s condition. She is under Great Ormond Street. I’m determined to make sure she and Logan have a better childhood than I did. I’m proud of myself and what I’ve achieved. I’m leaving my past behind and trying to create a better life for us all. I gave a talk to the Council the other week and I’m going on a residential trip to Shropshire as a volunteer for the programme. We want to make sure our communities carry on getting the benefit of what we’ve learned. My message to people is that if you to want to change, you have to really commit to it and want to do it. I’m proof that you really can turn your life around.

’’

For information about Motivate the Estate contact Chris Sollis on 01702 215007 ext. 4866.

Pay it – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

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Southenders

The renovated churchyard and gardens at St John the Baptist.

Full moon on the cliffs sets tongues wagging ACCLAIMED contemporary artist Keith Farquhar’s cheeky sculptures on display in Southend’s Cliff Gardens have certainly set tongues wagging in the town. Entitled More Nudes in Colour, Southend, the exhibition comprises five two dimensional artworks which show bare male female bottoms painted in a bright, imaginative style, facing out towards the sea. Inevitably, the sculptures have become the butt of few immature comments... not to mention the odd wise crack. But, generally speaking, the good people of the Borough have responded positively to what organisers describe as “a cutting edge project”. It is the first of series of up to ten open-air art displays to be staged in the town between now and September by Focal Point Gallery which is based in Southend Central Library in Victoria Avenue. Gallery Director Andrew Hunt said:“It is a real coup for us to have Keith Farquhar’s exhibition – he is is one of the top

6 Outlook SPRING 2011

contemporary artists in the country. Some people might find the nudity embarrassing but it is far less shocking than page three of The Sun newspaper.” Mr Farquhar is keen that people engage with the sculptures and he is interested to see what might happen to them out of the relative control of a gallery. “Apart from wear and tear caused by being open to the elements of a seaside town in winter, the artist wants to see how sculptures will be affected by people who come to view them,” said Andrew.“Keith thinks that graffiti might even add to them.” The Edinburgh-based artist created the “flat pack” sculptures by first painting real-life models’ bodies and taking photographs of them. He then selected life-sized images to print on to aluminium sheets which have been mounted on plinths – ensuring a full moon on the cliffs at Southend every night, and day for that matter, for the duration of the exhibition which runs until 2 April.

Churchyard transformed M

AJOR renovations have transformed the historic churchyard and gardens at St John the Baptist in the town centre. The scheme includes two new entrances, a new forecourt, paving, walkways and new railings. More trees have been planted and the garden of rest has been completely restored. More than 100 gravestones have been restored while the monument to the Borough’s first Mayor, Thomas Dowsett, has been enhanced. The missing bust of renowned poet Robert Buchanan has been re-sculpted by Lisa Hawker, cast in bronze and completes his memorial. The £170,000 scheme, paid for with a grant from the Homes and Communities Agency, took 18 months to complete and will be used as an educational research site for local schools. Tim Pyner, the Council’s Cliff Gardens Manager, who oversaw the project, said: “It used to be rundown and not very welcoming but now it’s much more attractive and celebrates the history of the Borough.” The new clay sculpture of 19th Century poet Robert Buchanan which will be cast in bronze before being put on display in the churchyard.

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Diamond Jubilee bid could be Borough’s

JEWEL IN CROWN S

OUTHEND is bidding to become a city in a national competition to mark The Queen’s 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The opportunity to gain city status is open to any local authority in the UK which considers that its area deserves to be granted the rare honour. A deadline of 27 May has been set by the Government for submissions and the winners will be announced next year. The Council has taken up the challenge and a special board has been formed to put together the bid with representatives from the Council, business, education, the voluntary sector and the community. Now a call has been made for everyone in the town to “back the bid” and send a loud and clear message of civic pride to Westminster. “We sometimes need to remind ourselves of the greatness of where we live and achieving city status would be an outstanding way to realise that,” said Council Chief Executive Rob Tinlin.

“It would raise Southend’s profile in such a positive way – helping to attract further inward investment and give a significant boost to tourism.” A panel of Government Ministers and representatives of The Queen will judge the competition entries which will be considered “in the round” on the merits of their contents rather than on the standard of the presentation.

Vibrant Places to be given the city status will have to show themselves to be vibrant, welcoming areas with interesting histories and distinct identities. Southend’s bid board has drawn up a strategy for its submission which will include enthusiastic lobbying of MPs and a high-profile campaign – which they believe itself will have a positive effect on the Borough. “Southend residents are proud of their Borough and know it is a great place to live,” said Mr Tinlin. “Royal recognition would be a fantastic boost

and becoming a city would be a very fitting way to celebrate all that Southend has to offer.” Part of Southend’s submission will highlight progress made in the Borough over the past five years including improvements in social housing, children’s services, education, regeneration and economic opportunities.

People can “back the bid”by writing to let us know why they believe the town should have city status.Tell us your favourite place in the Borough and why. Also share your fond memories: Back the Bid, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ER or email backthebid @southend.gov.uk

Anyone sending in a message will be entered for a free prize draw with the chance to win four Adventure Island wrist bands, worth nearly £100.

UNITED FOR SOUTHEND – pupils from Milton Hall Primary unfurl a city status campaign banner on the beach. They are, left to right, Lauren Scotford, Cephas Musonza, Dwain Farley, Kai Govinden, Sharmaine Bhebbe and Lauren Baines.

Report it – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

Shortlisted for top accolade SOUTHEND-ON-SEA Borough Council has been shortlisted for the title of Britain’s best local authority. It is one of just six that are in the running for the Local Government Chronicle’s prestigious Council of the Year award. As part of its bid for the annual award the Council has had to demonstrate a level of excellence and innovation which takes its work well beyond basic service provision. Judges visited the Borough in January to see at first hand the Council’s services in action and the winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in London later this month. Council Chief Executive Rob Tinlin said: “It is a tremendous achievement for the Council and gratifying that our continuing and widespread improvements across a range of areas are being officially recognised nationally. “The success is the result of the team efforts of a large number of people including our staff, our partners and also our residents for helping us make such a positive impact at this top level.”

Maintaining improvement SERVICES for children and young people in Southend are continuing to “perform well”, according to Government education watchdog Ofsted. The positive Ofsted rating follows its latest assessment which found that the large majority of all types of services, early years provision and primary schools were “good or better” and children in Southend are kept safe. Secondary schools continued to improve and a relatively high number were outstanding. Sue Cook, the Council’s Corporate Director of Children and Learning, said: “We continue to be proud of the achievement of our children and young people and the improvements realised through partnership working.”

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Take a Planting whips at Shoebury Park are Council Arboricultural Officer Rick Milsom with pupils from St George’s Primary School, left to right, Wallace Hoyi, James Young, Sophie Lighton and Maisie Sammon.

f a e lout of our book

Schoolchildren join tree planting programme

IGHWAYS in Southend-on-Sea are getting a leafy look thanks to the Council’s ambitious programme of tree planting along roads across the town. Over the winter around 645 young trees, between eight and 12 feet tall, have been planted – many of them alongside roads and streets where residents have requested them or to replace trees lost through damage and disease. One of the exciting highway schemes has been the planting of 28 trees along the Royal Artillery Way rural walk and cycle path, while 36 trees have been planted as part of a much needed parking improvement scheme in the Colchester Road area. In addition a large tree planting programme is putting the finishing touches to the City Beach and Victoria Gateway parts of the £25 million Better Southend regeneration

initiative. The major project to ensure that Southend is a green and pleasant place to live, work and visit has been boosted by the planting of approximately 2,200 young trees and shrubs on roundabouts, in parks and other public outdoor locations.

Environmentally aware The Council has involved local schoolchildren in planting projects in parks across the Borough to help make the youngsters aware of the environmental importance of trees and plants. Blenheim Primary pupils helped to plant 500 tree and shrub whips – very young plants – in their local park, while boys and girls from St George’s Primary have helped plant whips and wildflowers in Shoebury Park, as well as maple trees to add to the park’s collection of maples.

Also, a community orchard has been created in Scott Park, while more trees will be planted in Chalkwell Park after a successful funding bid to the Southend Education Trust by Chalkwell Hall school to support the Forest Education Initiative. Ian Brown, the Council’s Parks Management Officer, said: “Involving schools in tree planting is helping to make children aware of how trees benefit all of us. “They are vital to the environment in absorbing CO2 and controlling rainfall levels, while they have therapeutic health benefits and recent research shows that house values can increase by seven to nine per cent when situated in a tree-lined location. “There are lots of good reasons to plant trees and the Council is committed to maintain and manage our trees we have and to extend the planting programme throughout the town.”

New community resource centre is open for business THE refurbished North Road Chapel at Prittlewell Cemetery is re-opening its doors as a Community Resource Centre designed to boost the local economy. A £1 million-plus regeneration project has transformed the derelict place of worship into a facility providing office space, meeting rooms, a reception area and equipment for social enterprises and community businesses in the Council-owned property managed by

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Southend Association of Voluntary Services (SAVS). The aim is to kick start the local economy, while improving the standard of life for local residents by developing a derelict site that was plagued by antisocial behaviour and criminal activities. Units in the building are available for letting at a subsidised rent on a short-term or longer basis, while meeting room facilities can be hired for a day or just a few

hours at affordable rates. Ashley Dalton, the Council’s External Funding and Community Cohesion Manager, said: “The chapel has been given a new lease of life as a facility that will play an important role in the socio-economic development of the area.” For more details on what is on offer at the Community Resource Centre contact Southend Association of Voluntary Services (SAVS) tel. 01702 356000.

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Drop-in advice sessions offer guidance HELP is available for anyone struggling to fill in their form. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council are staging around 25 separate advice drop-in sessions for people who need guidance on filling in the form (see the back page of Outlook for details). There are translation services for people

whose first language is not English, although the public are reminded that forms must be completed in English. There will be additional support for people who are blind or visually-impaired. For more information about the support available, please call 03000 2011 01 or visit www.census.gov.uk.

Filling in the forms is the

key to extra funding V

ITAL information to help plan the services of the future and secure much-needed grants for the Council will be gathered in the Borough as part of the national Census this month. Statistics from the snapshot of life in the UK, taken from forms to be completed on 27 March, are used by the local authority, health service, police, fire and voluntary sectors, as well as by national government. Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is appealing to local people to make sure they fill in their forms for two very good reasons. Firstly, it is against the law not to answer the census, and anyone who does not complete their form could face a £1,000 fine. Secondly, since government grants to the Council are calculated using Census information, it is estimated that the failure by some people to complete forms in the 2001 Census may have cost the Borough up to £8.5m per year in lost revenue.

Strictly confidential Council Chief Executive Rob Tinlin said: “We want to make sure Southend receives the funding and investment it is entitled to. We urge everyone to fill in their Census form when it arrives. There is nothing to fear about filling in the form and sending it back and completing it will help our whole community.” People who might be worried about completing the Census are being reassured that their personal information is kept strictly confidential and cannot be made available to any national or local organisation for at least 100 years under the Census Act 1920. Some people – such as illegal immigrants, those living with a partner but claiming single occupancy so they are eligible for a council tax discount, or people whose homes are illegally overcrowded – might be unwilling to provide personal information, for fear of being penalised.

A CENTURY ON THE CENSUS: Mrs May Downey, aged 105, of Leigh-on-Sea, is pictured with her great granddaughter Sophie Downey, aged 11. Mrs Downey’s entry on the 1911 Census means her information from that year has only just become publicly available.

But the Council officer in charge of promoting the Census and organising support for people who need help completing their form has reassured the public that this is not the case. Shane Bartley, the Council’s Assistant Census Liaison Manager, said: “I can categorically assure people that the Census data is strictly confidential and individual details are not shared with other organisations or government departments. That is the law. “General statistical information which paints a picture of our changing society is used to

Record of people staying at household THE Census form has two sections – one about the household and one set of questions relating to each person at the house on 27 March this year. Householders are asked to record the details

of their family who normally live at the house, plus any visitors who might be staying over. By recording where people are staying on the night, the Census aims to avoid counting people twice.

Apply for it – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

plan public services and funding for the future. But individual information is kept in the strictest confidence for 100 years. “Many of those people who might consider not completing their form for whatever reason are exactly those people who may need support and services provided by the Council and its partners. That is why we would urge everyone to complete their Census form and help the council secure the funding it needs to pay for those services.” ● Residents are being urged to look out for the Census form dropping through their letterbox in its striking purple envelope.

Do it

For the first time it is possible to Online fill in the form online and each envelope contains a unique password identity and instructions for using the internet service. For more information about the 2011 Census please visit www.census.gov.uk.

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Efficiency savings help to protect FRONT LINE SERVICES

OUGH decisions made while drawing up Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s budget have this year protected front line services and achieved significant efficiency savings. Hard work behind the scenes looking at staffing levels, council pay and a host of other issues means that while some service areas have been reduced, nothing has had to be scrapped. Unlike many other local authorities across the country, Southend has managed to save £15.489 million without cutting any front line services. And while the Council is warning of further cuts and tougher times ahead over the next three years, its commitment to service quality and ambitious regeneration remains as strong as ever. To balance its books for the forthcoming financial year, the Council has identified £15.489 million in savings across five spending areas including: ● Adult and Community Services – £6.436 million. ● Children and Learning – £3.362 million. ● Enterprise, Tourism and the Environment – £3.328 million. ● Support Services – £1.883 million. ● Corporate Policy and Improvement – £0.48 million. Sally Holland, the Council’s Taking Corporate Director of Support services out into Services, said the Council the community is one had already identified way the Council is efficiencies through its saving money. Pictured is Delivering Excellence Benefits Officer David programme. She said: Flynn, right, giving “Unlike many other advice to a resident authorities we have mainly at Kent Elms achieved the savings we need Library. to by looking at the way we work, generating more income and reducing our costs. “We have created efficiencies where possible in losses to a minimum. But in spite of working terms of staffing structures, working more to put together the most difficult budget in closely with our partners and making the most many years, the Council is driving forward of new technology, such as delivering services improvements and investments to improve via the internet, to save money. services and deliver savings in the future. These “We have also worked with our major include: suppliers to rationalise contracts so they can ● Improving the Civic Centre, which will help us make the savings we need to achieve.” realise significant cost savings by leading to By carefully planning ahead and anticipating the eventual closure of the Council’s four the cuts that would need to be made, the other town centre sites. Council has managed to keep potential job

Taking on board the people’s views MORE than 1,200 responses from the public helped councillors make the difficult decisions to achieve budget savings. People gave their views on which services they wished to see preserved and which were less of a priority. The Council asked for people’s views through Outlook, which is delivered to

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homes throughout Southend, and on its website. Many people suggested making more services available online as a way of improving efficiency and protecting front line services. They also pointed to pooling resources with other agencies and working in partnership to reduce costs.

● Improvements to the Council’s technical infrastructure to allow more efficient working and access to more services online. ● The replacement of Southend Central Library and libraries at the University of Essex and South Essex College through the Elmer Square project. ● The £3 million enhancement of Southend’s world famous pier with a brand new cultural centre. Sally Holland said: “We have already started looking at ways in which we can meet the Government’s strict spending targets over the next three financial years. “It will be very tough – we will try to examine every way, in terms of investing in technology and reviewing back office functions, to identify even more savings for the organisation. Through the preparation already made, the Council has put itself in a good position with its mentality of driving forward efficiency and savings.”

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READY FOR POLLING DAY: Colin Gamble, the Council’s Democratic Services Group Manager, with a mountain of ballot boxes.

COMPETITION

stylish unisex lifestyle watch worth £425

Extra ballot boxes

for May elections E

LECTORS in Southend will face two ballot boxes – or three in some cases – when they turn up at polling stations on Thursday 5 May. One ballot box will be for the Borough Council elections with a seat in each of the 17 wards being contested – one third of the total Council. A second box will be for votes on the national referendum on the proposed Alternative Voting system for Parliamentary elections. And in polling stations at Leigh-on-Sea there will be a third ballot box for the election of the 16 members of the Town Council. Returning Officer Rob Tinlin said: “The ballot papers for the Borough Council election will be a different colour to those for the referendum – and the Town Council papers will be a third colour. “We aim to make the polling stations as userfriendly as possible and to avoid any confusion. Obviously, election staff at the stations will be on hand to give advice if required.” A key date in the run-up to election day is Thursday 14 April – the deadline for people to register to vote if they are not already on the electoral register. To register, residents will need to complete and return a form, which is available to download from www.southend.gov.uk/elections or by calling the Electoral Office on 01702 215010. People who cannot or do not wish to attend a

polling station on election day, can choose to vote by post. In addition, some people may be eligible to vote by proxy – appointing someone they trust to vote on their behalf. The deadline to register for postal votes is also 14 April and for proxy votes 21 April – and again this can be done by visiting the Council website or by calling the Electoral Office. Mr Tinlin said: “By voting for a local councillor, people have an impact on a range of issues including education, social services, environmental health, leisure and recreation facilities and planning and transport. “We want as many people as possible to take part in the elections which is why it’s important that everyone who is eligible to vote is registered.” Another date to remember is Wednesday 6 April – from which day a full list of candidates for both the Borough Council and Town Council elections will be published online at www.southend.gov.uk/candidates. Meanwhile, the Government will be sending a booklet to every household in the UK explaining the issues relating to the Alternative Voting system referendum which will take the form of a “yes” or “no” to one question.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

14 April

Find it – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

For more information visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk

A STYLISH unisex watch worth £425 is the top prize in our Spring competition sponsored by Sarah Beth Jewellers in The Royals Shopping Centre. The TW Steel lifestyle watch with a white and rose gold finish will go to the first correct entry drawn out of the hat. The runner-up and the third name out will receive gift vouchers for £50 and £25 respectively. There are also 30 £10 gift vouchers up for grabs for others who have the right answers to the following two questions: What Royal anniversary is the national competition for city status celebrating? How long does personal information gathered in the census remain confidential? To enter the competition please send your answers on a postcard, along with your name, address and day-time telephone number, to: Jewellery Competition, Media and Communications, Southendon-Sea Borough Council, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southendon-Sea, SS2 6ER, or email outlookcomp@southend.gov.uk. The deadline for entries is Friday 29 April. Term and conditions apply – see www.southend.gov. uk/outlook. While you’re sending your entry, please let us know your thoughts on what you like and what you would like to see more of in Outlook magazine. Sarah Beth Jewellers is an independent jewellers offering a wide range of watches, jewellery and gifts for all tastes and budgets. For more information visit the website www.sarahbeth.co.uk. ● The winner of our Christmas competition is Linda Smith of Southend whose prize is a ladies’ Rotary watch.

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Young sailor from Leigh-on-Sea takes on sporting ambassador role as she aims to realise her dream of competing in the 2012 Olympics

Katrina and the waves W

ORLD-CLASS sailor Katrina Hughes is riding high on the crest of a wave thanks to a funding boost that is helping make her 2012 Olympic dream possible. Katrina, of Leigh-on-Sea, is reaping the benefits of the Team Essex Ambassador’s Awards scheme, which provides grants to the county’s top-level athletes. The £6,500 bursaries, which can be used to pay for additional coaching, equipment and travel, are awarded to a handful of athletes every year who have been recognised by their national governing body of sport. The aim is to give them the extra boost they need to qualify or be selected to compete in the London 2012 Olympics or Paralympics. In return, Katrina and her fellow competitors become sporting ambassadors for the county, working with young people in schools, clubs and at sporting events – inspiring them to become stars of the future. Katrina, who is 21, competes in the

Women’s Two Person Dinghy 470 Category event at the very top level. She is former World Junior Champion and 18 months ago teamed up with Penny Clark, a Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander and a finalist in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The pair are currently the British number ones and are ranked fourth in the world. After a hard winter training regime the pair have already found early success this year finishing second at the Miami World Cup Regatta event, and now have high hopes of not only boosting their ranking but representing Great Britain next summer. “The Olympics is our dream and everything we are doing is working towards being selected for London 2012,” said Katrina, speaking to Outlook after her silver medal finish in Florida. “I have been sailing since I was five and competing since I was eight. It is an exciting and exhilarating feeling to

be on the water. Competing at the highest level is something I’m really passionate about. “However it is a very expensive sport in terms of equipment and coaching, despite receiving National Lottery funding. The grant that we receive through the Ambassador’s Award scheme is absolutely brilliant. “It means we can buy better quality equipment, such as cutting edge sails, and get that little bit of extra coaching that will make us more competitive and help with out performance. “In short it could be the difference between being picked for the Olympics or not.” Katrina is also delighted to be able to

Tom Daley pictured at Southend Swimming and Diving Centre which hosted a British Gas Cup event.

Katrina Hughes, right, and her racing partner Penny Clark in action during the Miami World Cup Regatta. Left, Katrina pictured in her Team GB jacket. return to the Borough to pass on advice and inspire upcoming athletes. She said: “It is a great part of the scheme. Everyone locally was very supportive when I was a junior. In particular my old school, Westcliff High School for Girls, was very understanding. The teachers gave me the time I needed to train and compete in

succeed. It’s a maxim I continue to follow even now.” Southend’s Olympic Legacy Co-ordinator Elaine Matson said: “We are very proud of Katrina’s achievements to date and really hope she achieves her dream of reaching the 2012 Olympics. The Ambassadors Awards is a great two-way scheme which not only benefits the athletes but also allows them to inspire and encourage future competitors.”

British ace Tom chooses Southend centre for RECORD-BREAKING DIVE

DIVING sensation Tom Daley made a big splash in the Borough when he took advantage of impressive new facilities to pull off a record-breaking routine. The World 10-metre champion teamed up with Olympic silver medalist Pete Waterfield to complete a synchronised fourand-a-half somersault dive… in less than the two seconds it takes to hit the water. The feat – dubbed The Big Front – is so difficult that Waterfield and Daley became the first British divers to successfully complete the manoeuvre in competition. It was also good news for the world-class Southend Swimming and Diving Centre which hit the national headlines as the venue for the historic dive, during its

12 Outlook SPRING 2011

events such as the World Junior championships while maintaining my studies, which led to me getting two As and a B in my A-Levels. “So I really appreciate the chance to give something back and speak to young athletes who are aspiring to make it in their sport.” She added: “My advice for them is to never give up and do everything they can to give themselves the best chance to

hosting of a British Gas Cup event. And with just a year and a half to go until London 2012 it also provided the ideal opportunity to demonstrate the skills of local youngsters alongside Olympic hopefuls Tom and Pete. Divers aged from six to 16 from the Southend Diving Programme gave a special display of their skills, highlighting the work being done with schools in the Borough. Through the Diving Programme, instructors work with pupils, arranging talent-testing initiatives and providing the opportunities for youngsters to try the sport. Southend Diving Coach Bill Clark said: “Southend has an amazing history of success in the sport with a series of competitors such as Alison Childs, Victoria

View it – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

Stenning, Karen Smith and Tracey Richardson taking part in recent Olympic Games. “With the great facilities at the Diving Centre there is absolutely no reason why Southend cannot unearth more of our own diving stars for the future.” Bill added: “It was fantastic that Southend hosted the British Gas Cup event and it is inspirational for the youngsters to see champions in action. “Tom Daley, British diving’s first ever World Champion and sport superstar, is a shining example for them to follow. “Tom himself was one of a class of beginners for several years until at the age of 10 he was spotted by the coach as someone with ‘potential’ – with his dedication, determination and hard work the rest is history.”

Postcards to welcome the world SCHOOLCHILDREN taking part in an Olympic-themed art competition will have the chance to win prizes and see their work go on public display. Pupils in the Borough are being asked to come up with a postcard design based on the theme of Welcoming The World to the UK for London 2012. The designs will be judged in three categories – primary, secondary and special school, with gold, silver and bronze prizes being awarded in each section. Winning designs will go on display at a special exhibition being hosted by the Southend Central Museum this summer. Prizes will include free swimming sessions at Council-run venues and gift vouchers for the museum. The competition runs until the end of March.

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Young sailor from Leigh-on-Sea takes on sporting ambassador role as she aims to realise her dream of competing in the 2012 Olympics

Katrina and the waves W

Tom Daley pictured at Southend Swimming and Diving Centre which hosted a British Gas Cup event.

British ace Tom chooses Southend centre for RECORD-BREAKING DIVE

12 Outlook SPRING 2011

View it – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

SPRING 2011 Outlook

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It’s getting

better £25m improvements to be completed on time

A BRIGHTER FUTURE: striking lighting columns are now in place at City Beach and will soon be illuminated.

Praise for car park MOTORISTS have praised the new 300-space University Square car park in Southend town centre as a “bright, safe and secure” facility. The High Street underground car park, which opened last October, has extensive CCTV monitors and security patrols 24/7. Council Parking Manager Derek Kenyon said:“The feedback from the public has been very good. Many people are particularly impressed by the levels of security and bright lighting. “Motorists also like the system of taking a ticket on their way in and paying when they return – which means they are only charged for the time parked.”

Jake lands civic role

T’S the end of the road for temporary traffic lights, diversions, disruption and delays as a major project to develop key highways in the Borough is all but complete. More than 90 per cent of the work involved in the biggest scheme of its kind in Southend’s history has already finished on time – and road users and pedestrians are already enjoying the benefits of the project designed to accelerate the Borough out of recession. City Beach, Victoria Gateway, Cuckoo Corner and the Progress Road junction along the A127 have all benefited from the massive makeover as part of the £25 million Better Southend programme of renewal and regeneration. As Outlook went to press, finishing touches were being put to the four

14 Outlook SPRING 2011

landmark schemes which will help unlock potential and put the town on course to attract investment worth £250 million. During a special ceremony at the Victoria Gateway scheme, a tree was planted by the Mayor, Councillor Ann Holland, to start the landscaping of the new junction. The council has pledged to replace two trees for every one lost due to work on the four projects. Kerry Webster, Better Southend Customer Relations Manager, said: “We appreciate that the project has involved a significant amount of noise and disruption and we would like to thank residents, motorists and businesses for their patience while the work has been carried out.“ Here is an update of how the schemes have progressed:

CITY BEACH With works in the final stages, paving will be completed in March 2011, while resurfacing was completed in February 2011. Work at the new family-friendly area at Mariners Square is on target and due to be completed by the end of March 2011. Traffic is using the new carriageway without any problems.

VICTORIA GATEWAY The project to create a new public space linking the railway station with a signal-controlled junction is on schedule to be completed by the end of March. The junction was resurfaced at the beginning of March, with overnight closures in operation while work was carried out. Paving is almost complete and bus stops outside the Odeon cinema became ‘live’ at the end of February, while remaining stops will become ‘live’ by the end of March.

PROGRESS ROAD The £4.6 million improvement work on this vital “gateway” junction will be completed on target by the end of March. New traffic signals are operating and the installation of three lanes has improved traffic flow.

CUCKOO CORNER The £5 million makeover designed to cut traffic congestion and improve the appearance of one of the Borough’s worst bottlenecks is close to finishing slightly ahead of schedule in March. Capacity on the main roundabout will be improved with lanes increased from two to three. Tree planting will be carried out in late March to early April.

THE Borough’s new Youth Mayor is 16-year-old Jake Inwood, a student from Southend High School for Boys. Deputy Youth Mayor is Brontea Boulton, also 16, who attends St Bernard’s High School at Westcliff-on-Sea. Jake and Brontea were elected by 3,200 young people from across the Borough, and were installed into their new roles in a ceremony at the Civic Centre.

Equality in workplace A NATIONAL workplace equality index has ranked Southend-on-Sea Borough Council 35th out of 378 organisations who entered themselves for assessment. The index – administered by Stonewall, the UK’s leaders in campaigning for equality and justice in employment for lesbian, gay and bisexual people – measures a wide-range of criteria including non-discrimination policies.

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KIDS E H T H C T CA

a g o y

ENJOYING A YOGABUGS SESSION are pupils from Thorpedene Infants School, left to right, Miller Priestley, in a “tree” position, Holly Barton, in a “dog” posture, Euan Rowley, doing the “crab” and Holly Barrett, slithering in the “snake” exercise.

bug

NS O I S S E S T S I L A SPECI S L O O H C S N I TAKE OFF

CHOOLCHILDREN in Southend have caught a bug that’s proving to be very good for their health. The youngsters start their school day with a YogaBugs Impact and Change session – and teachers and parents report it’s doing wonders for their development. The once-a-week yoga classes for children aged between two and a half and seven years old have been made available to all primary schools and nurseries in the Borough participating in the TaMHS (Targeted Mental Health in Schools) governmentfunded initiative that helps develop a clearer understanding of the emotional and mental health needs of children, parents and staff. TaMHS aims to support the development of innovative models of therapeutic and holistic mental health support in schools for children aged five to 13 and their families. There are ten TaMHS schools in Southend, each with an appointed TaMHS champion to

develop and co-ordinate the service. More schools in the Borough will be joining in 2011. A fully qualified instructor takes the 30-minute YogaBugs sessions for ten weeks, during which they train teachers in yoga techniques so they are able to continue the programme with their pupils.

Posture work The children enjoy the relaxation yoga exercises through a series of story telling, music and magical adventures that encourages them during the yoga sessions that include warm up exercises, posture work, breathing, relaxation and visualisation techniques. The YogaBugs franchise, which leapt to fame on TV’s Dragon’s Den, is designed to prepare children emotionally and physically at an early stage to meet the challenges they will face as they grow up – while also having a lot of fun. Katie Smith, TaMHS Project Manager for Southend-on-Sea

Say it – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

Borough Council, said: “The YogaBugs programme is designed to benefit the emotional health and wellbeing of both the children and their teachers. Feedback from schools already taking part in the project has been very encouraging.” On completing the initial ten-week programme each participating child and teacher receives a framed certificate and the school is awarded an impressive glass plaque. YogaBugs has so far been introduced at Hinguar Primary, Bournemouth Park Primary, Thorpedene Infants and The Renown and there is interest from other TaMHS schools. Viv Stevens, Headteacher at Hinguar Primary, said: “We have already seen beneficial results for parents, school, teachers and most of all, the children. “What is exciting about this project is that it comes with teacher training which allows our staff to continue the good work in class.”

Website gets 500,000 visits SOUTHEND residents are making the most of the Council’s revamped website as they continue to Do It Online. More than half a million visits to www.southend. gov.uk were recorded last year as people viewed more than four million pages to find out about council services or pay bills. The most popular pages were jobs, events and how to contact the Council. Customers made 44,000 bids online for Council accommodation. With Council Tax bills about to go out, residents are being reminded they can pay online by credit or debit card by simply going to the homepage and clicking on “make a payment”.

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Art project celebrates life of 16th century adventurer A

RTIST Lee Baker is pictured above at his latest exhibition in front of one of five huge 30-foot high line drawings he has produced with the help of more than 4,600 Southend students. The Japanese inspired images have gone on display at a specially hired industrial unit in Shoeburyness as part of the Borough’s Festival of Learning.

Lee conceived the idea for the giant pictures with Chalkwell Hall-based arts group Metal Culture and Southend Education Trust. Students from 24 schools and colleges contributed A4 sized portraits to produce the final collages for the Thames to Tama exhibition, which celebrates the life of 16th century adventurer Will Adams, pictured. He grew up and learned to navigate on the

Residents need to show ID at recycling centres RESIDENTS using Southend’s two Household Waste Recycling Centres will have to show proof of address from April. Waste disposal permits will no longer be accepted and all residents will instead be asked to produce a driving licence or a current council tax bill. Commercial-type vehicles can be used to drop off household waste but will not be allowed in with business waste and users of these vehicles will have to fill out a household waste declaration form, which can be obtained from www.southend.gov.uk/hwdf or by calling 01702 215006.

16 Outlook SPRING 2011

BANK HOLIDAY COLLECTION DATES There will be more changes to recycling and waste collection days due to the number of bank holidays in April and May this year – remember there is a royal wedding on April 29.

Thames – so Southend would have been familiar to him and after training with Sir Francis Drake, he played a part in defeating the Spanish Armada. Adams then set sail with his own fleet, becoming the first Briton to set foot in Japan. He became an honorary Samurai and remained in Japan until his death in 1620 at the age of 55.

NORMAL COLLECTION DAY

REVISED COLLECTION DAY

Friday 22 April Monday 25 April Tuesday 26 April Wednesday 27 April Thursday 28 April Friday 29 April Monday 2 May Tuesday 3 May Wednesday 4 May Thursday 5 May Friday 6 May Monday 9 May Tuesday 10 May Wednesday 11 May Thursday 12 May Friday 13 May Monday 30 May Tuesday 31 May Wednesday 1 June Thursday 2 June Friday 3 June

Saturday 23 April Tuesday 26 April Wednesday 27 April Thursday 28 April Saturday 30 April Tuesday 3 May Wednesday 4 May Thursday 5 May Friday 6 May Saturday 7 May Monday 9 May Tuesday 10 May Wednesday 11 May Thursday 12 May Friday 13 May Saturday 14 May Tuesday 31 May Wednesday 1 June Thursday 2 June Friday 3 June Saturday 4 June

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Gaining job skills in

EW services launched in Southend to help people of all ages improve their employability skills have got off to a flying start. The innovative Business Enterprise Skills Training (BEST) Centre at Southend Adult Community College first offers impartial advice and guidance on work, learning, career and business opportunities and then delivers a wide range of flexible courses. Basic skills like Maths and English are covered alongside vocational courses ranging from childcare and customer service to management and even horticulture. They are designed to help people back into work, improve the skills of those already in a job or help others who want to re-skill and try a new career. Sessions can be classroom or workplace based or a blended mixture of both. Students use the online Learning Assistant E-Portfolio system, which allows them to build a portfolio, submit evidence, communicate, record submissions and get feedback. They can track their own progress and get instant access to course materials and Jackie Olver, the BEST Centre’s Information and Advice resources. Manager, left, with students Anna Allen and Keith Simpson. Jackie Olver, the BEST Centre’s Information and Advice Manager, extending my knowledge.” exploring their employment and said: “We sit down with people to Anna, who has worked at the Le find out what they want to achieve training options is to get in touch Ballon Rouge Montessori Day with us to see how we can help.” and then offer guidance and give Nursery in Southend for 12 years, Experienced child care workers them options. said: “It’s good, very informative Keith Simpson, 47, and Anna “It might be that a course is the and very useful.” Allen, 42, are both currently half best way forward so we have a way through Children Care, range of courses available, many Jobcentre plus and NextStep Learning and Development Level of which are free. Our learning education and careers advisors 4 courses. Keith, a pre-school sessions can be delivered when are already referring people to practitioner at Our Lady of and where people want. the BEST Centre. To get in touch Lourdes pre-school, said: “It’s “It’s going really well with word direct, call 01702 445700 or great. It’s re-informing me about already spreading so my message email best@southend-adult.ac.uk. things I already know and to people who’re thinking of

the BEST way

GCSE results continue to improve year on year CHILDREN in Southend have achieved the Borough’s best ever GCSE results with local authority now ranked 21st out of 158 in England and Wales. Last summer 62.8 per cent of students who sat the examinations achieved a minimum of five GCSEs, including English and Maths, with grades ranging between C and A* – an increase of 3.4 per cent on the previous year and well above the national average of 54 per cent.

Pay it – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

There are now no secondary schools below the “floor target” of 30 per cent of students gaining a minimum of five GCSEs. Sue Cook, the Council’s Corporate Director for Children and Learning, said: “We are delighted by the results. Our schools did better for Southend children than ever before. “These results are the outcome of strong leadership, good teaching and children’s dedicated hard work.”

Top accolade for training SOUTHEND Adult Community College has been recognised as one of the best training providers in the UK by the Government’s Skills Funding Agency. The college has been awarded the coveted Training Quality Standard certification after rigorous assessment which followed a year working to meet criteria. Donna Hallissey, the college’s Innovation and Employer Responsive Director, said: “This award means so much because it is based on our customers’ levels of satisfaction with our service.”

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Life-changing help on the home front Sisters Isabella, left, and Antonia Burrows in the through floor lift at their home.

NEW through floor lift at their home in Shoeburyness has made life much easier for the Burrows family. Carrying their six-year-old disabled daughter Isabella up and down stairs became a problem for Chris Burrows and his wife Hannah – but it was solved by a grant arranged by Papworth Trust Home Solutions, which helped to fund the installation of the lift and an upstairs wet room facility. The organisation provides practical information, guidance, repairs, improvements and adaptations for those with a disability, who are older or on low income. Hannah, whose other daughter Antonia, aged four, also finds the lift great fun to use, said: “The people at Papworth Trust Home Solutions were really nice to deal with and made the application process relatively easy for us. Pollocks, who built the wet room, and Cooper Building Services, who installed the lift, were very efficient and we are delighted with the work. “I thought families had to be means tested to receive this sort of help and I was surprised to find that it was not dependent on income.” Papworth Trust Home Solutions offers a range of services for people living within the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council area. They include a Handyperson Service, which for a cost of only £12.50 per hour, carries out a wide range of jobs such as fixing a leaking tap, putting up curtain poles, fitting handrails and installing security measures. Papworth Trust House Solutions also offers assistance with home adaptations, repairs and improvements, from installing a ramp or level access

18 Outlook SPRING 2011

shower to building an extension to enable full wheelchair accessibility and aid independent living. Services range from preliminary consultation through to design, project management and completion, using carefully vetted contractors. Papworth also offers a Home Options service to help find suitable local accommodation to enable independent living and Home Safety assessments, while help in accessing funding and advice on benefits is also offered.

Adapting properties Each year Papworth Trust helps over 17,000 people in the East of England and the UK through a wide range of services covering employment, vocational rehabilitation, housing and personal support. Karen Wiseman, Southend Manager for Papworth Trust Home Solutions, said: “Our service offers a wide range of options for people looking for advice and assistance, and provides peace of mind for our clients.” Papworth also works with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council to assist clients to obtain Disabled Facilities Grants following occupational therapy assessments. This grant is provided by the local authority to help towards the cost of adapting properties so residents with disabilities can continue to live at home. To find out more about services provided by Papworth Trust Home Solutions Southend, phone 01702 465182, fax 01702 465049, email homesolutionssouthend@papworth.org.uk or write to Papworth Trust Home Solutions, Unit 1, 225-235 West Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 9DE.

Accolade for care services CARE services for vulnerable adults in Southend have won an accolade from a Government inspection body. The Council provides support and help for more than 5,500 adults including older people, people with learning disability, those with physical and sensory disabilities and people with mental health needs. The Care Quality Commission awarded the Council an overall rating of “performing well” and judged it to be “excellent” in improving quality of life for its service users and enabling people to make a positive contribution. “The Council, under stable leadership, has continued to make progress in transforming adult social care to ensure people are supported to remain as independent as possible and are provided with choice through the use of self-directed support,” the Commission’s report stated.

Licensing proposal THE Council is proposing licensing of all privately rented homes in parts of the Milton and Kursaal wards. The aim would be to tackle antisocial behaviour and improve the quality and management of rented accommodation in these areas, which have been identified places of concern because of the high number of privately rented homes and reports of crime and antisocial behaviour. Consultation on the selective licensing scheme will run until May and seeks engagement with landlords, tenants, letting agents, residents, businesses and community groups. Full details of the scheme and the streets affected are available at www.southend. gov.uk/selectivelicensing. General enquiries should be directed to slconsultation@ southend.gov.uk or call 01702 215534.

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Mayor Ann Holland pictured after the Mayor-making ceremony with senior officers from Essex Fire and Rescue Service who acted as Consorts on civic engagements. They are, left to right, Assistant Divisional Officer Martyn Hodder, Divisional Officer Mick Watton, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Gary Fleming, Chief Fire Officer David Johnson and Divisional Officer Gary Jeffrey.

Mayor’s civic duties get

A FIREMAN’S LIFT M

AYOR Ann Holland has perhaps been the envy of many ladies in Southend during her year in office because of an unusual choice of Consort... nine top firemen! Ann, who is divorced and has two grown-up sons, had no one special man in her life to accompany her on civic duties. So, as long-serving Vice-Chairman of Essex Fire Authority, she invited Chief Officer David Johnson to take on the role – an offer he was delighted to accept. However, to balance work commitments with a packed programme of civic engagements, the Chief has shared the Consort’s duties with eight of his senior colleagues. “They’ve been marvellous – I could not have hoped for more charming and conscientious Consorts,” said the Mayor who revealed she had a “traffic lights” rating system to indicate the important of their attendance. She said: “Red meant I was fine to go on my own unless one of them had a special interest in attending. Amber indicated I would like a Consort but at a push I could do it on my own. And green gave the clear message that I really did need one of them.” The traffic lights system was another colourful aspect of an “exciting and unforgettable” year for the Borough’s First Citizen which, when it comes to a close in May, will have included more than 600 engagements. A notable highlight of the

CIVIC PRIDE: The Mayor inspects soldiers of the Royal Anglian Regiment during their homecoming parade in Southend town centre. Mayoral year was inspecting the soldiers of the Royal Anglian Regiment during their homecoming parade in the town last August after a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

The Essex Eagle “It was a proud and emotional occasion with a huge turnout of cheering and flag-waving crowds,” she said. “My father served in the Essex Regiment which was merged with the Royal Anglians – and when I saw the old regiment’s emblem, the Essex Eagle, it brought a lump to my throat.” Perhaps the most bizarre duty was when she represented the Council at a world-record attempt for the most people taking part in a nude rollercoaster ride.

Report it – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

In order to verify the bid to get in the Guinness Book of Records, the Mayor had to check that all 102 male and female riders at the seafront’s Adventure Island were completely in the buff. “Not a job for the faint hearted but the event raised more than £22,000 for charities,” she recalled. Amid all the many fun and formal duties, Ann believes the most rewarding aspect has been meeting the people of the Borough. “I must have met thousands of people from all walks of life and different cultures and that was a tremendous experience. “It’s people that make a place what it is – and my year as Mayor has served to remind me Southend is a great place to be.”

Helping youngsters steer clear of crime HUNDREDS of young offenders in Southend are continuing to steer clear of crime thanks to a scheme being run by the Council and the police. Latest figures show that only 17 of the 430 people who have been referred to the Triage initiative over the last two years have re-offended – a 96 per cent success rate. Under the system, first-time offenders who commit low-level crime and admit the offence are referred to the Council’s Youth Offending Service for assessment and support while still being encouraged to take responsibility. Carol Compton, Head of the Youth Offending Service at the Council, said: “The scheme has significantly reduced the number of young people entering the criminal justice system because we are identifying young people who offend or are at risk off offending at a very early stage. “It means we can intervene early and prevent future offending.”

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What’s On Sea A GUIDE TO KEY SPRING EVENTS IN SOUTHEND

Until Sat 2 April

Fri 18 March

ANTI PHOTOGRAPHY

VOCES8

Beecroft Art Gallery, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea. In collaboration with the town’s leading contemporary photographic gallery, Focal Point, the Beecroft presents an exhibition of photographic works which pushes the boundaries of photography.Tel. 01702 215011.

The Plaza Centre. Southchurch Road, Southend, 8pm This award-winning vocal ensemble will perform a repertoire that charts a musical journey spanning 500 years and 3 continents, including songs from their new CD Aces High. Tel. 01702 215120.

Until Mon 4 April

Sat 19 March

Station Road,Westcliff-on-Sea.Tel.01702 215011.

ESSEX PIRATES V ONE HEALTH SHARKS SHEFFIELD

Wed 13 April

A RETURN TO BRAMBLY HEDGE Central Museum and Planetarium,Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea Characters created by Jill Barklem guide visitors through the flora and fauna of Epping Forest. Discover and learn their daily habits, changing environment and the role humans play in shaping their surroundings.Tel. 01702 215011.

Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre Garon Park, Eastern Avenue, Southend, 7.30pm Enjoy the world’s number one spectator sport with Essex’s very own professional basketball team. Admission: £8 adults, £5 concessions. Tel. 01702 613000 or visit www.essexpirates.com

Sat 26 March

Until end of December SOUTHEND – IMAGES BY JOSEF KOUDELKA AND RON McCORMICK

ESSEX PIRATES V UCP MARJON PLYMOUTH RAIDERS

Beecroft Art Museum Displaying in the Thorpe Smith Rooms throughout 2011 will be a selection of the award-winning Czech photographer Josef Koudelka’s study of Southend.Taken in 1972, these are a wonderful insight into the town’s past. Admission free.Tel. 01702 215011.

Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre Garon Park, Eastern Avenue, Southend, 7.30pm Admission: £8 adults, £5 concessions. Tel. 01702 613000 or visit www.essexpirates.com

MARCH

ESSEX PIRATES V GUILDFORD HEAT

Wed 16 March SAXOLOGY Southend Civic Centre Victoria Avenue, Southend, 12.15pm. Part of the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Lunchtime Recitals. 2010-2011 season. Free admission. Tel. 01702 215011

APRIL Sat 9 April Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre Garon Park, Eastern Avenue, Southend, 7.30pm Admission: £8 adults, £5 concessions. Tel. 01702 613000 or visit www.essexpirates.com

Sat 9 April – Sat 4 June. PAINTED WORDS – WHITE RABBITS, HEROES AND SCOUNDRELS

SAXOLOGY will be performing in the Lunchtime Recitals at the Civic Centre.

Beecroft Art Gallery, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea Within the collection of paintings and pen and ink drawings, Essex-based artist, Karen Jones, revisits the greatest heroes and villains of literature.Tel. 01702 215011.

Sat 9 – Sun 10 April WORDS & PICTURES WORKSHOPS. BEECROFT ART GALLERY.

NAOKO INOUE & RICHARD EVANS – PIANO DUET Southend Civic Centre,Victoria Avenue, Southend, 12.15pm. Part of the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Lunchtime Recitals 2010-2011 season. Free admission.Tel. 01702 215011.

Fri 15 April CHEE-HUNG TOH AND DENNIS LEE – PIANO DUET The Plaza Centre, Southchurch Road, Southend, 8pm. A programme of piano duets and solo piano works, including Ravel – Mother Goose Suite, Dvorak – Slavonic Dances, plus works by Clementi, Liszt and Chopin.Tickets – £8 adults, £7 concessions, £6 Concert Club Members, £5 concessions.Tel. 01702 215011.

Tue 26 April FILM NIGHT – TWO WAY STRETCH

Central Museum and Planetarium,Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea. Explore the life and times of the East Coast in this nautical themed exhibition.Tel. 01702 215011.

Central Museum and Planetarium,Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, 7.15pm. This classic Ealing comedy with Peter Sellers is being shown as part of the Film Fringe Festival. Admission £3.95 – Tickets available from the Central Museum.Tel. 01702 215011.

Tue 19 – Wed 20 April

MAY

Sat 16 April – Sat 16 July TWO SHORES

MAKING WAVES Central Museum and Planetarium,Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea. Discover your sea legs, learn to navigate by the stars and uncover the mysteries of the sea and all which lies within.Tel.01702 215011.

Thu 21 April PLANKTON SOUTHEND PIER, WESTERN ESPLANADE

Tue 3 May FILM NIGHT – KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS Central Museum and Planetarium,Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, 7.15 pm. Another classic Ealing comedy being shown as part of the Film Fringe Festival, starring Alec Guinness in a multitude of roles. Admission £3.95 – Tickets available soon from the Central Museum.Tel. 01702 215011.

Have great fun discovering plankton at the end of the Pier. Places are limited – booking via Central Museum is essential. Tickets £5.Tel. 01702 215011.

Sat 23 April EASTER EGG HUNT Southchurch Hall Museum, Southchurch Hall Close, Southend-on-Sea. Follow the clues and claim your prize with this day of fun for all the family.Tel. 01702 215011.

Every Sunday, 24 April to 5 June, and every Saturday and Sunday, 11 June to 21 August Summer performances at Southend Bandstand Come along to Southend Bandstand in Priory Park this summer and enjoy this fabulous opportunity to hear a great variety of music

20 Outlook SPRING 2011

performed by many talented local performers. Admission is free and all events take place between 3pm and 5pm. Although a limited number of seats will be provided, members of the public are welcome to bring their own seating. Parking is available in Priory Park. Tel. 01702 215011.

Image copyright of Jill Barklem 1980.

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The famous Breitling Wing Walkers thrilled the crowds at last year’s Southend Air Festival.

One of the images of Southend captured in 1972 by award-winning Czech photographer Josef Koudelka which are on display at the Beecroft Art Museum until the end of the year.

Sat 14 May Southchurch Hall Museum, Southchurch Hall Close, Southend-on-Sea.Tel. 01702 215011.

programme featuring works by Haydn, Cowie, Delius and Dvorak.Tickets – £9 adults, £8 concessions, £7 Concert Club Members, £6 concessions.Tel. 01702 215011.

Sat 14 May

Sat 28 & Sun 29 May

FARM LIFE

SOUTHEND AIR FESTIVAL

NIGHT OF THE MUSEUM Central Museum and Planetarium,Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea. A wonderful glimpse behind the scenes of the Museum, live sculptor, free ‘taster’Planetarium shows.Tel. 01702 215011.

Wed 18 May LAURA BURNS – SOPRANO Southend Civic Centre Victoria Avenue, Southend, 12.15pm Part of the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Lunchtime Recitals. 2010-2011 season. Free admission.Tel. 01702 215011.

Fri 20 May COULL QUARTET The Plaza Centre, Southchurch Road, Southend, 8pm. This renowned string quartet will perform a

One of the illustrations which will feature in A Return to Brambly Hedge exhibition at the Central Museum and Planetarium.

Seafront Southend. One of Europe’s largest free airshows. See story right.

Wed 15 June TIM SMITH – PIANO Southend Civic Centre Victoria Avenue, Southend. 12.15pm Part of the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Lunchtime Recitals. 2010-2011 season. Free admission. Tel. 01702 215011.

Fri 17 June Yuri Paterson-Olenich – Piano. The Plaza Centre, Southchurch Road, Southend 8pm The Brighton-born pianist will perform a programme featuring Schubert, Granados and Rachmaninov.Tickets – £8 adults, £7 concessions, £6 Concert Club Members, £5 concessions. Tel. 01702 215011.

For more details on up and coming events and ones that did not make this listing log onto the Council’s events website at www.visitsouthend.co.uk.

COUNCIL DIARY

Air Festival set for

26th take off AROUND half a million people are expected at the 26th annual Southend Air Festival on 28 and 29 May. Favourites including the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain memorial flight are among a host of modern, historic and aerobatic aircraft set to thrill the crowds along the seven-mile long seafront at one of Europe’s largest free airshows. Static ground displays from the RAF, the Navy and the Army will include more aircraft, cockpits, tanks and other armoured vehicles. The Royal Marines are

bringing their climbing wall while show goers can have fun on ride simulators and bungee trampolines. A charity collection will take place over the weekend in aid of Help for Heroes and veterans associations. Free sites are on offer to local charities who want to raise funds so call the Council’s Tourism and Events Team on 01702 215119 if you want to book a pitch. Full details of the flying programme and arena timings are available on the Air Festival website at www.southendairshow.com.

■ Cabinet: Tuesday 15 March, 2pm. ■ Council: Thursday 21 April, 6.30pm. ■ Council: Thursday 12 May, 3.30pm. ■ Council: Thursday 19 May, 6.30pm. All meetings are held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea. Details of all Council meetings are available at www.southend.gov.uk

A section of the crowd of more than 500,000 which packed the seafront for last year’s festival.

Youth Council meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre, 5pm – 7pm.

Apply for it – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

SPRING 2011 Outlook

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To find out which Ward you are in please visit www.southend.gov.uk/whereilive

The Council normally has 51 Councillors elected to represent you. There are 17 wards, each with three elected members. See the map to find out which councillors represent you.

Your Councillors BELFAIRS WARD

BLENHEIM PARK

Cllr Stephen Aylen (Con)

Cllr Fay Evans (Con)

Cllr Lesley Salter (Con)

Cllr Jim Clinkscales (LD)

Cllr Graham Longley (LD)

Cllr Duncan Russell (LD)

16 Woodside, Belfairs, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4QU Tel: 01702 527747 cllraylen@southend.gov.uk

192 Highlands Boulevard, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 3QX Tel: 01702 558657 cllrevans@southend.gov.uk

4 Chadwick Road, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 8LS Tel: 01702 432364 cllrsalter@southend.gov.uk

8 St James Gardens, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 0BU Tel: 01702 432936 cllrclinkscales@southend.gov.uk

28 McDivitt Walk, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 5UD Tel: 01702 520234 cllrlongley@southend.gov.uk

15 Lindisfarne Avenue, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 3NR Tel: 01702 480713 cllrrussell@southend.gov.uk

CHALKWELL WARD

EASTWOOD PARK WARD

Cllr Richard Brown (Con) Cllr Stephen Habermel (Con) Cllr Ian Robertson (Con)

Cllr Dr Jason Luty (Con)

Cllr Andrew Moring (Con) Cllr Chris Walker (Con)

16 Cherrybrook, Thorpe Bay SS1 3QZ Tel: 01702 584003 cllrbrown@southend.gov.uk

54 Westminster Drive, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 9SG Tel: 07896 930725 cllrluty@southend.gov.uk

554 Woodgrange Drive, Southend-on-Sea SS1 3EL Tel: 01702 585957 cllrmoring@southend.gov.uk

256 Rayleigh Road, Eastwood SS9 5XL Tel: 01702 528027 cllrwalker@southend.gov.uk

6 Leas Gardens, Southend-on-Sea SS0 8JL Tel: 01702 478354 cllrhabermel@southend.gov.uk

68 Thorpe Hall Avenue, Thorpe Bay SS1 3AU Tel: 01702 584580 cllritrobertson@southend.gov.uk

KURSAAL WARD

LEIGH WARD

Cllr Louise Burdett (Con)

Cllr Stephen George (Lab) Cllr Blaine Robin (Con)

Cllr Alan Crystall (LD)

Cllr Barry Godwin (LD)

Cllr Peter Wexham (LD)

144 Alexandra Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1HB Tel: 01702 430309 cllrburdett@southend.gov.uk

30 New Road, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2EA Tel: 01702 710982 cllrgeorge@southend.gov.uk

16 Cliff Parade, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1AS Tel: 01702 474047 cllrcrystall@southend.gov.uk

63 Steyning Avenue, Southend-on-Sea SS2 4TW Tel: 01702 589318 cllrgodwin@southend.gov.uk

119 Vardon Drive, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 3SH Tel: 01702 715981 cllrwexham@southend.gov.uk

71 Butterys, Southend-on-Sea SS1 3DT Tel: 01702 610095 cllrrobin@southend.gov.uk

MILTON WARD

PRITTLEWELL WARD

Cllr Dr Maria Caunce (Con) Cllr Nigel Folkard (Con)

Cllr Jonathan Garston (Con)

Cllr Mary Betson (LD)

Cllr Mike Grimwade (LD)

Cllr Ric Morgan (LD)

Fairlight Lodge, 37 Park Road, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 7PQ Tel: 01702 430684 cllrcaunce@southend.gov.uk

23a Clifftown Parade, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1DN Tel: 01702 335017 cllrjgarston@southend.gov.uk

11 Byfield, Eastwood SS9 5TG Tel: 01702 524026 cllrbetson@southend.gov.uk

94 Eastwood Old Road, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4RS Tel: 01702 520642 cllrgrimwade@southend.gov.uk

5 Hobleythick Lane, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 0RP Tel: 01702 432361 cllrmorgan@southend.gov.uk

25 Hayes Barton, Thorpe Bay SS1 3TS Tel: 01702 582828 cllrfolkard@southend.gov.uk

22 Outlook SPRING 2011

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SHOEBURYNESS WARD

SOUTHCHURCH WARD

Cllr Mike Assenheim (Ind) Cllr Roger Hadley (Con)

Cllr Pat Rayner (Con)

Cllr Tony Delaney (Ind)

Cllr Ann Holland (Con)

Cllr Brian Kelly (Con)

76 Elm Road, Shoeburyness SS3 9RD Tel: 01702 291720 cllrassenheim@southend.gov.uk

93 Kingfisher Close, Shoeburyness SS3 9YB Tel: 01702 299095 cllrrayner@southend.gov.uk

76 Burlescoombe Road, Thorpe Bay SS1 3QB Tel: 01702 586973 cllrdelaney@southend.gov.uk

7 Silchester Court, Silchester Corner, Gt Wakering SS3 0PX Tel: 01702 580855 cllrholland@southend.gov.uk

10 Withypool, Shoeburyness SS3 8BH Tel: 01702 585015 cllrkelly@southend.gov.uk

33 Mountbatten Drive, Shoeburyness SS3 8UY Tel: 01702 294945 cllrhadley@southend.gov.uk

ST LAURENCE WARD

ST LUKES WARD

Cllr Mark Flewitt (Con)

Cllr Ted Lewin (LD)

Cllr Carole Roast (LD)

Cllr Peter Ashley (Con)

Cllr Sally Carr (Con)

Cllr Anna Waite (Con)

11 Borman Close, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 5UJ Tel: 01702 510463 cllrflewitt@southend.gov.uk

19 Little Thorpe, Thorpe Bay SS1 3RN Tel: 01702 586359 cllrlewin@southend.gov.uk

73 Whitehouse Meadows, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 5TZ Tel: 01702 521694 cllrroast@southend.gov.uk

15 Appledore, Thorpe Bay SS3 8UW Tel: 01702 589152 cllrashley@southend.gov.uk

42 Marcus Avenue, Southend-on-Sea SS1 3LA Tel: 01702 586231 cllrcarr@southend.gov.uk

11 Weston Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1AS Tel: 07825 680430 cllrwaite@southend.gov.uk

THORPE WARD

VICTORIA WARD

Cllr Alex Kaye (Ind)

Cllr Mike Stafford (Ind)

Cllr Ron Woodley (Ind)

Cllr Margaret Borton (Lab) Cllr Ian Gilbert (Lab)

Cllr David Norman (Lab)

470 Woodgrange Drive, Southend-on-Sea SS1 3ED Tel: 01702 588432 cllrkaye@southend.gov.uk

124 Parkanaur Avenue, Thorpe Bay SS1 3JD Tel: 01702 586265 cllrstafford@southend.gov.uk

91 Tyrone Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 3HD Tel: 01702 589709 cllrwoodley@southend.gov.uk

85 Rochester Drive, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 0NJ Tel: 01702 348817 cllrborton@southend.gov.uk

41 Vernon Road, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2NG Tel: 01702 470215 cllrdnorman@southend.gov.uk

WEST LEIGH WARD

18 Avenue Road, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 7PW Tel: 01702 339765 cllrgilbert@southend.gov.uk

WEST SHOEBURY WARD

Cllr Nigel Holdcroft (Con) Cllr Gwen Horrigan MBE (Con) Cllr John Lamb (Con)

Cllr Tony Cox (Con)

Cllr Liz Day (Con)

Cllr Derek Jarvis (Con)

7 Sylvan Way, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 3TU Tel: 01702 214008 cllrholdcroft@southend.gov.uk

Flat D Mill Lodge, West Road, Shoeburyness SS3 9DP Tel: 01702 297039 cllrcox@southend.gov.uk

5 Withypool, Shoeburyness SS3 8BH Tel: 01702 586185 cllreday@southend.gov.uk

66 Leitrim Avenue, Shoeburyness SS3 9HF Tel: 01702 292744 cllrjarvis@southend.gov.uk

15 Hazelwood Grove, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4DE Tel: 01702 524333 cllrhorrigan@southend.gov.uk

77 Vardon Drive, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 3SJ Tel: 01702 483908 cllrlamb@southend.gov.uk

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Cabinet

WESTBOROUGH WARD

Cllr Paul Collins (LD)

Cllr Martin Terry (Ind)

Cllr Dr Vel (Ind)

219 Green Lane, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 5QN Tel: 01702 512239 cllrcollins@southend.gov.uk

66 Victoria Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2TF Tel: 01702 619655 cllrterry@southend.gov.uk

41 Leasway, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 8PA Tel: 01702 711299 cllrvelmurugan@southend.gov.uk

Find it – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

■ Nigel Holdcroft (Leader) ■ John Lamb (Deputy Leader) ■ Ian Robertson (Enterprise, Tourism and Regeneration) ■ Andrew Moring (Corporate Support Services) ■ Derek Jarvis (Culture) ■ Tony Cox (Public Protection and Waste) ■ Mark Flewitt (Transport and Planning) ■ Roger Hadley (Children and Learning) ■ Anna Waite (Adult Social Care, Health and Housing) SPRING 2011 Outlook

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DATE

Need some help? Support sessions are being held in Southend to guide people through filling in the census forms... dates and venues are in the table on the right. TRANSLATIONS AND ACCESSIBILITY Download or request a booklet containing guidance and a sample questionnaire in any of more than 50 languages online at www.census.gov.uk or phone at 03000 2011 01.

TIME

28 March 10am-noon

LOCATION Leigh Library

29 March 9:30am-noon Central Library 30 March 2pm-4pm

Blenheim Children’s Centre

31 March 10am-noon

Thorpdene Library

01 April

10am-noon

Temple Sutton Children’s Centre

02 April

10am-noon

Leigh Town Council Office

04 April 10am-noon

Surestart Milton Children’s Centre

05 April

2pm-4pm

Cockleshell Children’s Centre

06 April

10am-noon

Centre Place Children’s Centre

07 April

2pm-4pm

Westcliff Library

08 April

10am-noon

Shoebury Children’s Centre

09 April

2pm-4pm

Leigh Town Council Office

11 April

10am-noon

Blenheim Children’s Centre

12 April

10am-noon

Hamstel Road Children’s Centre

13 April

10am-noon

Shoebury Children’s Centre

15 April

10am-noon

Southchurch Library

18 April

2pm-4pm

Blenheim Children’s Centre

19 April

1pm-3pm

Temple Sutton Children’s Centre

20 April

9:30am-noon Central Library

21 April

10am-noon

Leigh Library

25 April

10am-noon

Kent Elms Library

26 April

2pm-4:30pm Centre Place Children’s Centre

27 April

2pm-4pm

Shoebury Children’s Centre

28 April

2pm-4pm

Westcliff Library

29 April

9:30am-noon Cockleshell Children’s Centre

03 May

2pm-4pm

Southchurch Library

04 May

10am-noon

Blenheim Children’s Centre

05 May

2pm-4pm

Shoebury Children’s Centre

06 May

3pm-5pm

Hamstel Road Children’s Centre

Creating a better Southend – www.southend.gov.uk