Leigh-on-Sea has been crowned the happiest place to live in Britain for the second time in three years after topping Rightmove's 2018 Happy at Home Index.

The town originally took top spot in the 2016 index, and has climbed back into first place again this year.
 
The findings follow a survey of more than 21,000 people by Rightmove, which asked people how happy they are with where they live across 219 areas in Britain, based on factors such as community spirit, feeling safe, earning enough money to live comfortably, proximity to green spaces and amenities, friendliness and artistic and cultural activities.
 
Leigh-on-Sea scored highly for community spirit, the opportunity to develop skills, and restaurants and shops.
 
Valerie Morgan of Leigh-on-Sea Town Council said: "We’re all quite friendly here. People like to pass the time of day with one another, rather than ignore each other. There is also quite a large dog walking community down here so there’s lots of social interaction and people stopping and chatting to each other.”
 
Rob Cooke, director of Hunt Roche estate agents in Leigh-on-Sea, said: “There is just a lot going on, there are some pretty trendy parts of Leigh-on-Sea.”
 
The 10 happiest places to live according to Rightmove’s survey:

1. Leigh-on-Sea, East of England
2. Farnham, South East
3. Monmouth, Wales
4. Christchurch, South West
5. Leamington Spa, West Midlands
6. Newbury, South East
7. Macclesfield, North West
8. Hitchin, East of England
9. Tunbridge Wells, South East
10. Kendal, North West

Free festive parking will return to Southend town centre this December.
 
All 10 of the council run car parks across Southend town centre will be free on Thursdays after 4pm for late-night shopping and all day on Sundays throughout December.
 
Cllr Andrew Moring, cabinet member for infrastructure said: “The Christmas period is important for local traders and that is why we are pleased to once again offer our free festive parking on Thursday evenings and Sundays. I hope that both residents and visitors to Southend-on-Sea will take advantage of this and help local retailers enjoy a bumper Christmas.
 
“We’re also supporting Small Business Saturday on December 1 providing free parking all day in seven of the council run car parks across the Borough, and I hope that residents use this opportunity to shop locally.”
 
Free Sunday parking starts on Sunday 2 December and runs up to and including Thursday 29 December. Car parks included are: Alexandra Street, Warrior Square, Seaway, Clarence Road, Tylers Avenue, York Road, London Road (behind Pizza Express), University Square, Essex Street and Short Street.
 
Free all day parking on Saturday 1 December to celebrate and support Small Business Saturday will be available at the following car parks: Ilfracombe Avenue, North Road, Hamlet Court Road, Elm Road (Leigh-on-Sea), North Street, Ceylon Road and Thorpe Bay Broadway.

Over 200 trees will be planted in Southend, to commemorate the centenary of Armistice Day, highlighting the pathways soldiers took 100 years ago.
 
Southend Council successfully bid for 215 trees through the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, an initiative that looks to preserve and enhance forestation across the Commonwealth.
 
The trees will be a mix of colourful and wildlife trees – including Hazel, Rowan and Silver Birch trees among others – and will be planted at locations to the east, centre and west of Southend. Due to a lack of rain in the borough recently, the trees will be planted at a later date, and are currently being stored at the council’s parks nursery, Barling Road.
 
The pathway locations will be at Shoeburyness war memorial, Southchurch Park east, and Eastwood Park. These pathways are open to further tree planting, and if charities or groups plan on planting trees to extend the pathway, this is something that could be considered.
 
Cllr Lesley Salter, cabinet member for healthy communities and wellbeing, said: “We are positively delighted that we are able to welcome the addition of over 200, UK native trees to Southend thanks to the wonderful work of the HRH Queen Elizabeth’s initiative – the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.
 
“These trees will provide a stark reminder of the poignant historic importance of Southend during World War One, and we hope they offer a serene location for people to contemplate the sacrifices of all those before us.”
 
For more information on the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, please visit https://queenscommonwealthcanopy.org/

An exhibition of posters, postcards and letters, designed by local school children in the Southend 2050 competition opened at the Focal Point Gallery this week.
 
The competition focused on how young people see our borough in the future, with the task of creating a poster promoting Southend to tourists in 2050, or designing and writing a futuristic message on a postcard from the same time. Children of secondary school age were set the task of writing a letter from their future selves. The fruits of this imaginative competition will be available for the public to view in an exhibition at the Focal Point Gallery until Monday 12 November.
 
Over 350 creative and aspirational entries were received. A shortlist was drawn up, and 64 top entries were chosen to go on display. The grand winners in each category were announced at the opening of the exhibition last night, which was attended by over 150 children and parents. The Worshipful The Mayor Cllr Derek Jarvis, Southend-on-Sea Youth Council Mayor and Deputy Mayor Marco Mann and Amy Burdett announced and congratulated the winners and officially opened the exhibition.
 
The winning designs in each category were:
 

•          Letter for my future self – Henry Bagnell
•          Southend 2050 poster – Joseph Murphy
•          Southend 2050 postcard – Jack Shepherd

 
Cllr John Lamb, leader of the council, said: “We were staggered by the number and quality of the entries to the Southend 2050 competition. The Children who entered the competition will be between 37 and 50 years old in 2050!
 
“The postcards, letters and posters were inspiring, imaginative, creative and demonstrated very clearly the pride our young people have for the borough in which they live, study and play, and what they want and expect for their future.
 
“I would like to thank all who submitted entries, and congratulate those who were shortlisted. You have given the people of Southend a vibrant and inspiring exhibition to visit.”

Southend councillors are to consider adopting a borough-wide “low-emissions strategy” as part of its work to improve the town’s air quality.
 
The council's cabinet will consider an officer report laying out measures the council could take to “improve health outcomes through reducing emissions from transport” and “supports sustainable development” across the borough. The strategy is closely linked to - and is a key component of - the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan”.
 
Central to the strategy are reducing transport emissions, using technology to measure and report on traffic, air quality and its causes more effectively and supporting the shift to electric and low-emission vehicles.
 
The strategy also outlines how the council can support lower emissions by ensuring that air quality is considered in its development control and procurement processes.
 
Cllr Mark Flewitt, cabinet member for public protection, said: "In June this year, the Council adopted its first Air Quality Action Plan, the top priority of which was reducing transport emissions. I am pleased to see a plan come forward so quickly.
 
“Taking action to improve air quality is crucial to improving the health of our town’s population. There is growing evidence that air pollution is a significant contributor to preventable ill health and early death.
 
“As a council, we need to take action. I look forward to discussing this plan with my council colleagues.”
 
A decision on whether to adopt the low emissions strategy is scheduled to be made on 6 November.
 
The full report can be viewed here