The process to select a partner to deliver the Better Queensway project with the Council will start this May, with a decision due by January 2018.  It is hoped that contracts will be signed by March 2018.
 
The updated news is part of a report to the council’s cabinet today (Tuesday 28th March 2017), which provides a detailed update on the work that has taken place since the last report in September 2016.

It makes a number of recommendations, and seeks approval to start the procurement process. The report focuses on agreeing the council’s expectations and ambitions for the project.
 
If agreed, these expectations will be set out clearly in procurement documents, ensure that they are delivered through a partnership with the private sector, and ensure that the rights and views of residents are considered and respected. Some of these expectations include:
 

• That a minimum of 441 affordable homes are included in the scheme
• That assured tenancies, containing the same terms and conditions as current secure tenancies will be offered to returning current council tenants
• That returning council tenants retain the ‘right to buy’ clause
• That a preference for 1:1 residential parking is included
• That the principle of a community fund is included to maximise the development and integration of the community

The report also confirms that the tower blocks will be demolished as part of the scheme.  As previously advised, initial demolition notices will be served at the same time as a resident offer handbook being distributed, that will make clear the options available to residents.
 
A preferred transport option has also been completed which will allow new traffic movements in and out of Short Street, a reconfigured Southchurch Road and widened Chichester Road and a realigned one-way link between Southchurch Road and Sutton Road.
 
Cabinet will also consider a Borough wide decant policy that will apply to the Better Queensway project, but also any other major regeneration projects in the future. The decant policy sets out the home loss and disturbance payments that residents will be eligible for. A local lettings policy has also been developed and will be considered at the same cabinet meeting. This will allow people who want to move away from the Queensway estate the right to apply to be on the housing register if they are not already, and give additional priority to those already on the list to help them move.
 
Cllr Ann Holland, Deputy Leader of the Council, says: “I am pleased that this project is progressing so well. It is the biggest and most ambitious and transformational regeneration project that the council has undertaken in recent memory and it vital that we follow due process and get this detailed work done before starting the procurement process.
 
“We are clear that residents will be offered new tenancies on the same terms and conditions as their current tenancies and will be offered assistance to move if they do not want to be part of the regenerated estate through a newly created local letting policy. A borough wide decant policy is also being discussed that will ensure the rights of residents are respected.
 
“The report also clearly sets out what we want from the project and what we expect from any partner, to ensure that we deliver our aims and ambitions for the current residents of the Queensway estate, the council, and the Borough as a whole.”

A popular bar chain is planning a series of events across Southend before its new £1 million venue opens in Queens Road next month.

Revolution bar and restaurant - which will  open on April 21st in the former HMV building near The Forum - will be organising a free food truck, a "pay what you like" night, and Southend clean-up events over the coming weeks.

• Southend Clean Up – 1st April: The Revolution team is taking to the streets for a bit of a local spring clean, to do their bit and ensure all is spic-and-span ahead of the opening.

 

• Revolution Food Truck Comes to Town – 8th April: Parked in Victoria Circus from 10.30am, the Revolution Food Truck will be giving Southenders a taste of what’s to come with complimentary samples from the menu. 

 

• Revolution Vending Machine – Royal Shopping Centre – 8th April: A vending machine but not as you know it – press the button of your choice (no money required) to receive a complimentary treat that might just include tickets to the opening party of Revolution Southend.

 

• Treat Team hit Southend’s streets – 12th-16th April: Keep your eyes peeled for the Revolution Treat Team, taking to the streets  to dispense a whole host of goodies throughout the week.

 

• Pay What You Like Night – 12th April – Charity Night: a pre-opening charity dinner in aid of local homeless charity, HARP. Simply pay what you like for your supper and all proceeds will go straight to the charity. No booking required, first come first served, doors open from 6pm (drinks not included).

 

• The People’s Party – 21st April – 5pm ‘til late! A spokesman for Revolution said: "Revolution knows how to party and on opening night Team Southend is pulling out all the stops. Expect the opposite of ordinary with exciting entertainment from performers and DJs spinning the decks until the early hours. Sip on complimentary cocktails expertly made by the bar’s resident mixologists and take a bite from platters showcasing the restaurant’s enticing all-day menu. If your feet get tired from all that dancing, retire to the bar’s sheltered roof top terrace, complete with private bar and lounge area." Sign up at www.revolution-bars.co.uk/bar/southend-on-sea/ and arrive early to avoid disappointment.

 
The team are also supporting the town and Southend Hospital on 26th March with a charity sky dive. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Revolution-Southend​

 Plans to extend the entrance to Southend Pier have been submitted and will now go through the planning process.
 
The plans will be considered by the Development Control Committee in the coming weeks and if approved it is hoped that the redesign will take place later in 2017. £300,000 of capital funding was approved as part of the 2017/18 budget to help ensure the plans become reality if approved.
 
The extension would offer a much more attractive, modern and larger entrance to the pier, helping to attract more visitors to the seafront and the iconic landmark.
 
Cllr Ann Holland, Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism and the Economy said: “The plans to re-design the entrance to the pier are our way of showing our intentions to improve and protect of one of Southend-on-Sea’s most iconic landmarks.
 
“By proposing these improvements, which would be part of a continued and multi-million pound investment in the pier, we hope to make the entrance more attractive and appealing to visitors, and help develop a sustainable income for years to come.
 
“These plans are carefully thought out to improve the quality of an important part of our history and future. The existing entrance is out-dated and requires modernising, and these plans propose doing just that.”
 
The plans show how the pier entrance would be extended and the space re-modelled to provide areas for exhibitions, refreshments and ice creams.  The proposals also include an access ramp to make the entrance fully accessible for all.

Plans to convert a former art gallery into artist studios have been given the go-ahead.
 
Southend Council planning officers have granted planning consent for the proposals to create 23 accessible studios for artists as well as a community gallery and workshop space at the former Beecroft Gallery in Westcliff.
 
The full plans can be viewed by searching the Council’s Planning Portal and searching reference: 16/02258/BC/3
 
Cllr Ann Holland, Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism and The Economy, said: “Our plans aim to breathe new life into a currently redundant building within a conservation area and see it brought back into productive use. We believe the refurbishment of the former Beecroft will support the Borough’s strong and growing arts scene, which is demanding this sort of facility in order to flourish.
 
“However, it is still early days with £500,000 needing to be raised in order to bring our ambitions to fruition. Focal Point Gallery is submitting funding bids to Arts Council England and other funding bodies to raise the money required and we are hoping that members of the local arts community will rally behind them to back the bid.”
 
You can show your support for this project by:

Writing a letter to your local paper, saying why this new facility is important to you personally or to the town. We will collate published letters and use this as evidence as we progress with funding bids.

• Emailing focalpointgallery@southend.gov.uk stating why you support the plans.

 
Anyone who would like to express an interest in learning more at this early stage should email the gallery team at focalpointgallery@southend.gov.uk   

Plans for a new secondary school in Southend will be discussed by the council’s cabinet next week (Tuesday 14th March).
 
Detailed planning by the council shows that 4 to 5 new forms of entry will be needed by September 2018, and a further 6 by September 2019.
 
The council is currently working with Eastwood, Shoeburyness and Belfairs academy schools to secure commitment for a council funded expansion programme to meet the September 2018 demand. It is recommended that demand for September 2019 is met through a combination of expansions and the building of a new free school, and the council is investigating the feasibility of this in partnership with existing and proven academy trusts.
 
Any new school would be centrally funded via a trust bid directly to the DfE, and there would be no cost to the council.
 
Cllr James Courtenay, Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, says: “The council recently completed a comprehensive primary school expansion programme, and we have been busily planning for the next phase which is naturally at our secondary schools.
 
“This report details how we can meet the need for September 2018 through expansion which is already budgeted for through our capital budget, but the only realistic option to meet need by September 2019 is to support an academy trust bid to build a new free school.
 
“The timings are challenging, and there is much work to be done, but we expect an application to be made to the DfE by the Summer with a view to opening a new free school in September 2019, which may need to be in temporary accommodation to start with due to the timescales involved. No sites have yet been identified, and this will all be part of any central application and bid made.”

Southend Council has announced that school improvement funding, which was due to stop at the end of March 2017, will continue for the next two years.
 
It follows a major rise in the number of children attending a good or outstanding school since the funding started in 2014. The new funding will help to continue the school improvement programme and develop plans to give more local children the opportunity to attend grammar school.
 
Cllr James Courtenay, Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, says: “I was delighted to announce a three-year investment into school improvement in the 2014 budget which has now come to an end.  Since I announced this funding in 2014 the numbers of Southend children attending a good or outstanding school has risen from 71.4% to 89.2%.
 
“This improvement means the vast number of children in Southend receive a good or better education, but we will continue to support all of our schools and have recently formed a new Education Board to enable us to do so, irrespective of schools status (academy or local authority).
 
“We undoubtedly live in austere times, but now is not the time to withdraw funding for school improvement. Therefore I am delighted to confirm that we are continuing this vital investment, of £200,000 a year, for the next 2 years.
 
“One of the additional things we will be looking to do with this funding over the forthcoming years is to support more Southend-on-Sea children, and particularly those from more disadvantaged backgrounds, to gain access to our grammar schools. We are fortunate enough to have four grammar schools in Southend, along with 'grammar streams' at some of our other secondary schools, and it is only right that Southend pupils consider whether it is right to put themselves forward for selection to these schools.
 
“Therefore I am delighted to announce that we have been working with the local grammar schools to come up with practical ways to ensure all children in Southend have the same chances to improve their life opportunities, and for many children this will be through attending one of our outstanding grammar schools. Further details of the plan to help assist our children prepare for the selection test and ultimately attend one of the grammar schools will be announced very soon.”
 
The funding is part of the council’s 2017/18 budget which was approved at Full Council on Thursday 23rd February 2017.