A new Conservative administration has been appointed to lead Southend-on-Sea Borough Council after being voted in at Full Council.
 
At the recent local elections, no party gained the required majority to lead the council outright. However the Conservative Party has 24 seats and have formed a minority administration following the agreement of a ‘confidence and supply’ arrangement with UKIP. This means that UKIP councillors will support the minority administration in matters of leadership and will support the budget.
 
Cllr John Lamb is therefore the new Leader of the Council and after appointing his Cabinet at the meeting, said:  “I am honoured to be the new Leader of the Council and along with my new Cabinet look forward to serving the local people of Southend. 
 
“We all want the best for this great Borough and will work hard to ensure that we do the very best we can for local people and local businesses.”
 
The new Cabinet is as follows:
 
Cllr John Lamb - Leader of the Council

Cllr Ann Holland - Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism and the Economy

Cllr Andrew Moring - Executive Councillor for Corporate and Community Support Services

Cllr Mark Flewitt - Executive Councillor for Housing, Planning and Public Protection Services

Cllr James Courtenay - Executive Councillor for Children and Learning

Cllr Lesley Salter - Executive Councillor for Health and Adult Social Care

Cllr Tony Cox - Executive Councillor for Transport, Waste and Cleansing

Cllr Trevor Byford - Executive Councillor for Technology

Three of Southend’s beaches have received the prestigious Blue Flag, with all seven awarded the ‘Seaside Award’, Keep Britain Tidy have announced today.
 
Only two local authority areas in the country, Cornwall (19) and Torbay (13) received more awards, and of seven new blue flags awarded across the country, Southend has scooped three of them.
 
It means that East Beach, Shoebury Common and Thorpe Bay beaches will join 65 others across England in flying a Blue Flag Award this Summer after meeting the highest standards for cleanliness, facilities and water quality.
 
In addition, Chalkwell, Jubilee, Bell Wharf and Three Shells (along with the four awarded the Blue Flag) will join another 107 that have been presented with the Seaside Award by Keep Britain Tidy. The Seaside Award recognises beaches that are well-managed and maintained.
 
Scott Dolling, Head of Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Regeneration, says: “The number of Blue Flags awarded to English beaches has increased by seven this year, of which three are from Southend-on-Sea alone which is an excellent achievement.  Added to this, all of our beaches will be flying either the Blue Flag or Seaside Award, telling residents and visitors that they are the best in the country. This is a great boost to our ever growing tourism industry.
 
“Both awards are the quality marks for our beaches and mean those visiting them can be sure that they are clean and safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well the tough bathing water quality standards.
 
“Work is also nearing completion on our exciting lagoon project, meaning that, by this summer, beachgoers eager for a dip in the sea will be able to so whether the tide is in or out.
 
“Southend welcomes around 6 million visitors per year and the tourism economy supports around 7,000 jobs. Building the lagoon will make the sea accessible all day, every day throughout the summer. Added to the many other regeneration projects taking place along the entire seafront, there are more reasons than ever to visit Southend-on-Sea this Summer.”
 
Keep Britain Tidy’s Coastal Award Manager Paul Todd added: “It is great that we have been able to award more beaches this year with Blue Flag and Seaside Awards.
 
“These winners have proved their commitment to providing the best possible beaches for locals and visitors alike and visitors can be sure, if they visit a Blue Flag or Seaside Award-winning beach, they are visiting one of the best beaches in the world.”

A fully refurbished café, crazy golf, pop-up beach huts and a new pier-head postal service are being introduced on Southend Pier ahead of what is hoped will be a bumper summer for the town.
 
The café at the Royal Pavilion on the pier head is to re-open this week after an extensive refurbishment by its new operator, Vertas Group Limited. Renamed ‘Salt’, the refurbished café offers a range of locally sourced, freshly prepared food and drink, launching its new look on Thursday 19 May at midday.

Vertas, a company that specialises in catering and other services across East Anglia, took over running the Royal Pavilion, at the sea end of the landmark, on 8 February, promising “considerable investment”, branded coffee, ice cream, locally prepared sandwiches, hot melts, and homemade cake.
 
On launch day, café staff will be offering free samples, opening day discounts and a competition for the best #SouthendSaltSelfie.
 
Crazy Golf tees off
The new look café is just one of several improvements to the pier head being introduced this summer.
 
Visitors to the pier head can now also enjoy a game of 12-hole crazy golf thanks to newly launched venture “Southend Pier Crazy Golf” by local businessman, Darren Lattimer. 

Pier head postal service
A new post box is due to be introduced to the end of the pier from Friday. Pier managers hope that sending a postcard, complete with its own “Southend Pier” frank mark, quickly establishes itself as a must-do activity for all Southend visitors.
 
A total of 10 pop-up beach huts are also due to open on the bowling deck and pier head in June, providing a mix of music, art and entertainment.
 
Scott Dolling, Head of Economy, Regeneration and Tourism at Southend Council, said: “We’re delighted with the new investment in the pier café, which demonstrates confidence from the private sector in our plans for the pier’s renaissance as a major tourist attraction of national importance.
 
“Along with the pop-up beach huts, mini golf and pier postal service, the visitor experience on the pier this summer will bigger and better than previous years and will maintain and grow its appeal while longer-term investments materialise.”
 
Manoj Nair, General Manager for Vertas Group Limited, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the new look café and catering offer at Southend Pier and cannot wait to welcome local residents and visitors to ‘Salt’.
 
“The new brand boasts a fresh and modern feel, whilst keeping in line with the surroundings. It was important for us to ensure that we created a service offering which appealed to all audiences and best promoted this iconic landmark.
 
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to all those who have contributed to the success of Salt so far and I encourage all to take a trip to see us, try our tasty menu and enjoy the stunning surroundings.”
 
Darren Lattimer of Southend Pier Crazy Golf said: "I have been looking forward to putting the course at the end of the pier to give our visitors even more fun and enjoyment on their visit.
 
“Along with the other improvements and attractions this year, there will be more reason than ever to take a walk or a ride down the world’s longest pleasure pier."

A new initiative to help improve the career prospects of local children has been launched across the county.
 
The Greater Essex Careers Enterprise Network launched yesterday at Wat Tyler Country Park in Pitsea, at an event attended by senior leaders from local schools and businesses across the county.
 
The Network is a partnership between Southend, Essex and Thurrock local authorities, supported by the Careers & Enterprise Company, the Essex Employment and Skills Board, Inspire and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.
 
The initiative will work with local schools, to support them in developing a career engagement plan, helping to improve pupils’ career prospects and enhancing their employability, enterprise and skills strategy.
 
Schools will be linked with an Enterprise Advisor - volunteers from local businesses who are committed to helping young people explore the career opportunities available to them.
 
Additionally, the programme will ensure businesses have the skills base they need to ensure future economic growth.
 
Scott Dolling, Head of Economy, Regeneration and Tourism at Southend Council, says: “This is a great scheme that we are delighted to be involved in. It is vital that we support young people into employment, and also support local businesses to invest and grow by ensuring that the Borough has enough young local people with the skills that they need.
 
“This network provides an excellent opportunity to link schools with the business community. It will also give our young people an insight into the world of work which will be invaluable for their future prosperity.”
 
Claudia Harris, CEO of the Careers Enterprise Company, said “Our aim is to build on the excellent work already taking place in the region and the commitment of the local business community to extend the careers and enterprise provision for young people.”
 
For more information visit: https://www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/ or if you would like to find out more please email marksexton@southend.gov.uk
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