Southend Council is set to approve the selection of Swan Housing Association as its preferred bidder for the major transformation of the Queensway area in central Southend.
 
Councillors will discuss the recommendation next week (Tuesday 12th February) and approve the setting up of a joint venture LLP between the Council and Swan that would enable collective delivery of the Better Queensway scheme.
 
The council started the procurement process back in March 2018. Several companies went through various stages of the detailed process, with Swan coming through the robust procurement process as preferred bidder.
 
The report details how their tender has met the requirements laid down by the council, including building more than 441 affordable homes on the site and how Swan will help to deliver not only the regeneration but also manage it for the long term.
 
Swan’s example scheme developed for the purposes of the procurement process includes approximately 1,600 new homes, of which over 500 will be affordable. The example scheme also maintains four lanes of traffic on Queensway, new green spaces and improved walking and cycling space, and space to play. It also incorporates a community fund and improvements to energy and sustainability.
 
If approved by Swan’s Board, the council’s cabinet and Full Council on 21 February, the next steps would be to work towards awarding the contract in the spring. Following the award of the contract, the joint venture would be formally created and a full masterplan prepared for the site. This will involve further consultation with residents, business and other key stakeholders, and submission for planning approval in 2020.
 
Councillor James Courtenay, cabinet member for growth, says: “Better Queensway is the biggest regeneration project we are undertaking in a generation and will seek to transform this vital area right in the centre of our town, delivering better housing, better living and a better place for both the current residents and those that will make central Southend their home in the future. This regeneration will help make this area a key entrance into our town centre and connect what will be a thriving new community with it and also help us to deliver a key part of our resident led ambition for 2050.

“We are delighted to recommend Swan Housing, an excellent organisation with great values, commitment to the community and vast knowledge and experience of the local area, as our preferred bidder.
 
“Alongside meeting all the key requirements for the project, they also offer far much more than that, including access to their other properties from across Essex and London.
 
“This is really just the beginning and there is much more work to be done. We are now collectively focused on the next stages, including contract award and then working with all range of stakeholders, including residents and businesses to prepare a masterplan for submission for planning approval.”
 
John Synnuck, CEO of Swan Housing Association commented: “We are delighted to have been selected by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council as “Preferred Bidder” for the regeneration of Queensway.  We’ve been taking on complex regenerations just like this for the last 25 years and our award-winning schemes show that we can not only build high quality homes of all tenures but also fantastic public realm including green spaces; we can tackle complex road and infrastructure challenges; and put in the commercial space and facilities needed to create successful mixed-use regenerations.
 
“I’d like to say to all the residents and local stakeholders at Queensway, that we are looking forward to working with you to develop a masterplan for Queensway which will make it a great place to live and work and a place where everyone in Southend wants to go. 
 
“Together with our joint venture partner, Southend-on Sea Borough Council, we will work with you to transform Queensway from an isolated, and aging estate into a thriving community right in the centre of Southend.  We’re experts at supporting residents and local stakeholders through regenerations and we will be there every step of the way, with Southend and South Essex Homes, to support you."

​More than £35m of new projects are being put forward by Southend Council as part of its draft capital budget proposals for 2019/20.

In addition to existing schemes already ongoing or planned, this would give the council a capital investment programme of £177m for the next four year period, including over £18m of investment into the Pier, £26.3m investment into improving roads and pavements, £3m for community safety improvements and £1.2m on parks and open spaces.

An additional £36.5m worth of new projects are also included in the draft programme, but will be subject to external funding and detailed and viable business cases being prepared and approved, including up to £20m for commercial property purchases over the next three years, £10.5m for a new pavilion deck on the end of the pier and £1m for the refurbishment of the Cliffs Pavilion in summer 2020.

The capital budget, which is separate to the council’s day to day revenue budget, is used to make one-off investments in things like regeneration and housing projects, and to carry out essential improvements to leisure and cultural facilities and ICT systems. Funding is raised from a mixture of external funding, reserves and borrowing.

The proposals for new projects include £3.25m over the next two years to replace ageing Pier trains which were introduced in 1986 with a predicted 20 year lifespan and an additional £3m over three years to fix more pavements and roads.

Safety measures are also a big new investment, with a further £2m proposed to continue to upgrade the borough’s CCTV system and install new cameras in key locations following a recent consultation.

A new children’s residential care home, new public toilet provision, better traffic management and car park improvements are some of the other projects highlighted for new investment in the draft budget.

Over £20m is also being added to the capital programme from 2021 to 2024 for investment in the council housing stock, which will be funded through the housing revenue account (HRA).

Cllr James Courtenay, Deputy Leader of the Council, says: “Capital and revenue budgets are two entirely different things and we have a duty to fund essential things like ensuring we can look after our most vulnerable residents, and also ensure that facilities like the Pier and Cliffs Pavilion, which are a source of pride and joy for so many, are invested in and safeguarded for the future. Financially we have tightened our belts, but this must not be to the detriment of our future vision for Southend-on-Sea and our plans must remain bold and ambitious.

“The resident and stakeholder led ambition document Southend 2050, has helped us identify the type of town our residents and stakeholders want to see. With feedback from more than 35,000 people, it helps us to focus both on the work that is needed now, but also over the next few years, to help make those ambitions a reality.

“This can be seen with more investment in things that are important to people in the here and now, including fixing more roads and pavements, investing in more public toilet provision in the seafront area, and ensuring our housing stock is up to decent homes standard, but also looking to the future with investment in the Pier and the Bell junction for example.

“The proposals in this draft capital budget will make a real difference to important local facilities and infrastructure and shows that we are open for business and here to do the very best for local people and businesses.”

If all external funding and viable business cases are approved, then the capital investment programme could be £229m for the period of 2019/20 to 2023/24.

Other investment within the capital programme and already allocated includes £12.7m for the ongoing secondary schools expansion programme, £24.8m for the continued development of Airport Business Park Southend, £11.5m for the delivery of a new 60 bedroom care facility and day centre and £1.3m for the continued construction of  affordable housing on housing land.

There will also be a business and voluntary sector budget consultation event on Thursday 17 January at Holiday Inn, Eastwoodbury Crescent starting at 8.30am (registration from 7.30am). This will give local businesses and stakeholders the opportunity to hear an insight of the 2019/20 budget.

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

Southend Council is set to campaign for an outer relief road to the east of the borough, another river crossing to the east of the Lower Thames Crossing, and for the Crossrail line to be extended to Southend.
 
The ambitious demands form part of a draft five-year plan (2019-2023) which will be discussed by the council’s cabinet on November 6th.
 
The draft plan has been drawn up on the back of a major public engagement programme called ‘Southend 2050 – be part of the conversation’ that started in spring 2018.
 
Over 35,000 people were reached through the work, with 4,000 people actively taking part and 55 events taking place.
 
This work has identified the sort of place residents and stakeholders want Southend-on-Sea to be, and the work needed now and over the next five years (to 2023) to help make that happen. The roadmap also identifies key milestones and projects that will be delivered up to 2023.

Other milestones in the draft plan include the first tenant moving into Airport Business Park Southend by 2020, the start of the Better Queensway regeneration scheme in the same year, the opening of the new Pier pavilion in 2021, and the completion of the Airport Business Park by 2023.
 
The milestones also highlight that a renewed partnership with the voluntary and community sector is a key aspiration for 2019, as is working with schools and academy trusts to secure improvements in underperforming schools.
 
Cllr James Courtenay, Deputy Leader of the Council, says: “Our draft five-year plan for the borough demonstrates a clear ambition and clear direction of what we want to do and what we want to achieve as a council and also as a place.
 
“We know that Southend-on-Sea, and south Essex as a whole, are going to grow in the future, and we are working with councils across south Essex on that.  It will bring numerous economic and social benefits to the area. 
 
“However, we are also adamant that this must be infrastructure led and that is why we are planning to campaign for a road to the east and aim to secure funding for it by 2023, call for Crossrail to be extended to Southend-on-Sea and also help make the case for a further river crossing to the east of the proposed Lower Thames Crossing.”
 
Cllr John Lamb, Leader of the Council, added: “I am delighted to present this plan for the future of our Borough. This is truly a resident and stakeholder led piece of work, and I want to thank each and every person who has got involved.
 
“Our ambition for the Borough and our draft five-year plan has come directly from what local people, businesses and stakeholders have told us they want.
 
“I want to be clear that this isn’t about the year 2050, but it is about planning for the future whilst also dealing with the challenges and issues we face today, tomorrow and over the next five years.
 
“Planning ahead and having an ambition is an essential part of any successful business or place.
 
“Our draft ambition and five-year roadmap has emerged from detailed engagement with a cross section of the community and helped us to identify what we want to achieve as a place, and how we deliver that collectively with our public sector partners, local residents and businesses.
 
“It has told us clearly what is important to local people and it is already helping us to deal with the here and now too.
 
“The excellent and extensive engagement work we have done has helped us to clearly focus on what needs to be done now and into the future to ensure that we achieve our outcomes for the community.”
 
Cabinet are being asked to approve the draft documents and refer them to all three November scrutiny committees for further comments before consideration by a special cabinet on 4th December and then Full Council on 13th December.
 
The draft documents can be read here (agenda item 4).

Southend Council has successfully bid for £15m of Government funding to help make the Better Queensway project a reality.
 
The award from the Housing Infrastructure Fund is the third largest single allocation of 134 awards made across the country, and is one of thirteen across the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) area that will receive a share of more than £82m.
 
The funding is being allocated to areas to help get housing projects off the ground and fund infrastructure projects linked to them. In Southend-on-Sea’s case the funding will be used to carry out the proposed highways changes as part of the overall redevelopment.
 
Cllr Ann Holland, Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism and the Economy, says: “This is fantastic news for all involved.  Once again we continue to punch above our weight when it comes to making the case for and securing national funding.
 
“This funding would allow us to fully deliver the ambitious proposals that we have for the Queensway site and the associated infrastructure required in partnership with the private sector. We want a development made up of high quality housing, a better living environment and a better place for people to enjoy and this funding will help us to realise that ambition.
 
“The fact we have secured the second largest allocation out of 134 bids being funded highlights the hard work and dedication of our officer team and partners, but also the confidence in our plans and in Southend-on-Sea as an investment location.”
 
The council’s bid was endorsed by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) and the Opportunity South Essex Board.
 
Christian Brodie, Chairman of SELEP, said: “Each of the 13 schemes, championed by the respective council's and endorsed by SELEP, will make an important contribution to the delivery of new homes.
 
“Having secured nearly £1 in every £10 of the £866m earmarked to support local housing projects, it clearly shows the Government recognises the role our area can play in helping to fix the broken housing market.”
 
A detailed report on the Better Queensway project will be presented to the council’s cabinet on Tuesday 13 February, including an update on the public consultation and the next steps to find a joint venture partner.


​

The council has unveiled its draft capital budget for April 2018 onwards, with around £20m proposed for new and existing projects up to March 2020.

This additional investment means that, if approved, some £185m of capital investments will made into the Borough over the next four years.

It is also proposed that a further £2.7m of council capital funding is set aside towards developing ‘The Forum II’, an educational, cultural and business space for the digital, cultural and creative industries. This extension to The Forum will, subject to relevant approvals, be majority-funded by Local Growth Funding and South Essex College.

The capital budget, which is separate to the council’s reducing revenue budget, is a rolling budget used to make one-off investments in things like regeneration and housing projects, and to carry out essential improvements to leisure and cultural facilities and ICT systems for example. Funding is raised from a mix of external funding, reserves and borrowing.

Proposed new investment includes:

• Adding a further £10m to the current budget for investment in commercial property. As central Government funding reduces, councils must become financially self-sustaining. Continuing to build a commercial investment portfolio will help build long-term income streams to help fund services. The fund will also be used to secure housing for temporary accommodation. The funds will only be spent if and when appropriate opportunities arise.
• £3.7m on highways schemes, including:

£2.25m for flood prevention works, with half of this coming from external sources – this will see new underground tanks, bunding and increased gulley capacity created on the central seafront to deal with surface water flooding that runs from Queensway down to the central seafront in heavy rainfall. A pumping station and tank storage will also be created to pump out trunk sewers around Hartington Road against high tides, reducing flood risk in the area.

£350,000 to improve the condition of pavements around existing trees.

£325,000 to stabilise an area of emerging cliff slip close to Manor Road, to protect the public footway, coastal road and support of private properties.

£300,000 to undertake improvements to Shoebury Common North, including the creation of a new children’s play area, new paths, new seating and outdoor fitness equipment.

£250,000 to create coach parking and drop-off facilities to accommodate visitors to the seafront.

£200,000 to develop and improve car parking signage for the whole Borough and introduce new signage for the seafront car parks and potential park and ride sites.

• £1m for fire improvement works that become necessary due to any national changes to building regulations and compliance, and £500,000 for planned refurbishment to council property.
• £925,000 for essential works at our theatres and leisure centres.
• £875,000 to convert the former Beecroft Art Gallery in Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea to 20 artist studios for rent. The building is owned by the Beecroft Art Trust and this project will largely be funded through £575,000 from Arts Council England and other external funding.
• £400,000 to create a small number of local residential care places for children.  This will enable children to stay near their communities, improve their life chances and reduce the number of costly out of borough placements saving £80,000 per year.
• £750,000 to get the Better Queensway project to the next stage of development.
• £500,000 to implement security measures required due to current national threat levels, focused on high footfall areas such as the seafront.

Cllr John Lamb, Leader of the Council, says: “Whilst it may seem unusual to see major investments at the same time as we are highlighting our ever reducing central funding and revenue budgets, we must remain bold, ambitious and invest in our Borough to ensure that we advance and prosper into the future.

“Capital and revenue budgets are two separate things, and we must continue to fund essential things like secondary school places, ensuring that our famous Pier is safeguarded, maintained and improved and investing in plans to look after our elderly and vulnerable through developing new facilities which we are already doing through money already allocated.

“These new projects will allow us to do things like build a commercial property portfolio to give us long-term income streams in the future, carry out important flood prevention works in the central seafront area, carry out fire improvement works where necessary and keep all our buildings up to the standard that local people rightly expect.

“We are also proposing significant new investment in a number of highways projects, and ensuring that we remain a modern business and workforce, by investing in ICT and software improvements.

“Wherever possible these projects will bring income into the council or just must be done.  Despite the austere times this gives us an impressive capital budget to make a difference to important local facilities and infrastructure and shows that we are open for business and here to do the very best for local people and businesses.”
​
The new investment would take the approved capital programme for 2018/19 to 2021/22 to £185m of which the level of external funding to support this investment will be £72m. For 2018/19 alone, the investment in the Borough will be £88m.

A key planning document that will guide development of central Southend and the central seafront over the next five years has been given the go-ahead by a government planning inspector.
 
The Southend Central Area Action Plan sets out proposed planning policies by the Council for managing development and assessing planning applications in Southend Central Area through to 2021.
 
The Council has received the final report from the Inspector, Mr Mike Fox, who has carried out the independent examination of the Southend Central Area Action Plan. He issued the report following the examination hearing sessions that were held in May 2017 and after considering the representations that were made on the proposed modifications to the plan.
 
The Inspector recommends a number of proposed modifications to the draft – mostly proposed by the Council during the examination – and concluded that the SCAAP “provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the Central Area.”
 
This means that, if and when formally adopted by Southend Council, it will become part of the development plan for Southend.

Cllr Mark Flewitt, Executive Councillor for Housing, Planning and Sustainability, welcomed the inspector’s findings. He said: “I am delighted that the Planning Inspector has agreed with the soundness of this key document that will play a critical role in shaping future development in the town centre and central seafront.
 
“It has taken many years to reach this stage and we have listened carefully and responded to the differing views of local people and businesses throughout the process.
 
“We believe that, once adopted, the SCAAP will facilitate the new growth, housing, jobs and infrastructure that the Borough needs in a way that is sustainable and safeguards the local environment.
 
“The next step will be for the Council to formally adopt the SCAAP at our Full Council meeting in February, after which we can start using it.”
 
The full report from the Planning Inspector, along with the agreed modifications, can be found here: www.southend.gov.uk/scaap

Public consultation on proposals for regenerating the Queensway area in central Southend opens today, with members of the local community invited to have their say.
 
Southend Council is developing proposals to regenerate the Queensway area, creating a new residential-led development made up of high quality housing, commercial space, improved public areas and a new road network.
 
The Better Queensway scheme, that is aimed at making life better for both existing and new residents, will transform the site into a mixed new community of around 1,300 new homes, which will include a minimum of 441 affordable homes alongside a range of other housing options.
 
The proposals will also include making changes to the road network that will benefit transport and access in the area with the aim of reconnecting communities separated by the Queensway road and improving access to the town centre, seafront, jobs and shops, helping to boost the local economy.
 
More details on the proposals will be unveiled at the public consultation starting today, including two public exhibitions where Southend-on-Sea Borough Council welcomes the community to drop in, meet the project team and give feedback. The exhibitions will be held on:
​

• Wednesday 8 November 2017 – drop-in any time between 2pm and 8pm in the Deeping Meeting Room, The Forum Southend, Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1NS;
• Thursday 16 November 2017 - drop-in any time between 2pm and 8pm in the Deeping Meeting Room, The Forum Southend, Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1NS.

 
Cllr Ann Holland, Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism and the Economy, said: “Better Queensway is the biggest, most ambitious regeneration project in the local area and that’s why we are committed to involving the community of Southend-on-Sea at this early stage. We want to hear what people think of the initial proposals before we seek a development partner next year and further develop the plans. We hope you can join us at our public exhibitions to have your say.”
 
For more information, visit www.betterqueensway.co.uk

​A new housing company will be set up by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council that will look to increase the supply of housing for local people to buy and rent.
 
The council’s cabinet (Tuesday 20th June) agreed proposals for a new company that would build and/or acquire homes, and offer a range of buying and renting options including private sale, private rent and shared ownership as well as affordable rent.
 
Cllr John Lamb, Leader of the Council, said: “This is an exciting proposal that builds on our clear commitment and action to create new housing throughout the Borough. The company also has the potential to generate income for the Council to reinvest back into local public services and regenerate several areas of Southend-on-Sea, which in turn will help to improve and sustain the local economy.”
 
Cllr Mark Flewitt, Executive Councillor for Housing, said: “It is well known that nationally we are facing a housing crisis as rents continue to rise and the availability of affordable housing continues to fall.
 
“One of the Council’s key priorities is to build new affordable homes to meet a range of local housing needs and this new housing investment company will allow us to do that and offer these at an affordable rent or a mixture of shared ownership and rent.
 
“We will also look to develop private housing for rent and sale too where appropriate and the income generated from this could be reinvested into more affordable housing and to sustain Council services.”
 
The company is currently in the early stages of development, with initial steps including the identification of suitable sites for building new homes.
 
The plans to set up a housing investment company follow on from the council’s recent commitment to build more council houses, seen recently with the completion of 18 houses and flats in Shoeburyness, and plans in the pipeline for 15 homes and a bungalow for disabled use on two underutilised garage sites at Rochford Road and Audleys Close.
 

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 new nursery, community hall and nine new houses will be built on the site of the Friar’s Community Centre, the former Friar’s Library and the now-closed Renown Pupil Referral Unit.
 
Planning permission was granted earlier this week to demolish and redevelop the library and referral unit, the existing car park and community hall in Centurion Close, Shoeburyness.
 
The regeneration of the brownfield site will be carried out by PSP Southend LLP, the Council’s development company, and will include a new home for the Friar’s Centre Playgroup, which is currently located in the Community Centre.
 
As part of the project, the Council successfully bid to the Department for Education for £331,837 to enable the new nursery to create 24 new places and extend its current 26 places from part time to full time. Development of the site will start soon, with the nursery set to open in Autumn 2017.
 
Cllr Andrew Moring, Executive Councillor with responsibility for assets, says: “Gaining planning permission is great news.  It means we can get on with this development that will regenerate what is an underused and partially vacant brownfield site.
 
“It will also provide a new nursery and new family housing in a sustainable location that is close to public transport connections, services and facilities.  We are very pleased that this project will be delivered by PSP Southend LLP, the Council’s development company, which will give the best value for money to the council and local taxpayers.”
 
Cllr James Courtenay, Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, says: “This project will deliver a new state of the art nursery for local children with high quality play areas both inside and out and thanks to our successful funding bid, we can also develop new and existing childcare places for working parents ready for September 2017 when the new 30 hours of free childcare entitlement begins.”
 
Stacey Rawnsley, Manager of the Friars Centre Playgroup, says: “I am delighted to hear the plans have been approved. The new proposal is the best way forward to not just secure, but expand the invaluable childcare that Friars Centre Playgroup provides for parents. I could not be any prouder of my team, and I am very lucky to have such a wonderful team with a positive work ethic who put the children at the centre of everything they do. We are particularly delighted that a large outdoor area has been incorporated in the plans as this will strengthen the children’s development and enable us to continue our long term goal of becoming an outstanding setting. 
 
“We play an important part in providing affordable childcare and are already operating at nearly full capacity. By giving us the opportunity to expand we will be able to offer more places from Autumn 2017, accommodating those looking to take up the 30 hours of free childcare being offered by the Government, as well as supporting working parents and those looking to return to work throughout the year.

“I look forward to seeing the development take place and sharing this experience with our children. The Committee and I will be busy planning for the exciting future Friars Centre Playgroup ensuring we grasp every opportunity to progress and be successful in the future.”

Adam Cunnington, Managing Director of Public Sector Plc, said: “We are delighted that another significant step towards delivering a much needed new community facility has been achieved by this partnership with the Council.

“This combination of private and public sector skills and resources is being used creatively to drive value from assets to achieve exciting and positive outcomes for the local community. We look forward to seeing this project through to completion.”

The Friars Centre Playgroup opened in 1974 and is currently rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

Expanded secondary schools, a new care campus for the elderly, and investment in the Pier, parks and car parking improvements top the funding list as Southend Council's draft capital budget up to 2021 has been revealed.

In addition to over £125m already in the capital budget committed to important projects, £59.1m of funding has been identified for a number of existing and new projects up to 2021, including:

• £20m on a major secondary school expansion programme, following recent work to expand many primary schools.  An estimated £10m is expected from central Government funding, with a further £1m expected to refurbish maintained schools that require work. This is in addition to £8m identified last year for the conversion of PROCAT and Wentworth sites and partial expansions of other schools;
• £11.5m new investment in Southend Pier, including £8m to reconstruct the timber outer pier head, and an additional £1.5m for reinforcement works to the Prince George extension;
• £9.5m for the redevelopment of Priory and Delaware residential care home and the Viking Day Centre for people with a learning disability. This is in addition to £2m previously identified in the current capital budget;
• £5m to look into creating additional car parking capacity at sites south of central Southend, and £0.5m to improve parking signage;

Cllr John Lamb, Leader of the Council, says: “Despite the continued central funding cuts, we must be bold, ambitious and invest in our Borough to ensure that we advance and prosper in the future.

“We are therefore investing significant sums in essential things like secondary school places, ensuring that our famous Pier is safeguarded, maintained and improved and investing in plans to look after our elderly and vulnerable through developing new facilities.

"We also continue to fight for external funding, and have had many successes in securing external funding for important local projects.

“We have also listened to local traders and are proposing major investment in creating additional car parking spaces in the central Southend area and improving signage and guidance systems.

“We are also ensuring that we remain a modern business and workforce, by investing in ICT and software improvements and a number of smaller but equally important projects.

“Wherever possible these projects will bring income into the council or just must be done.  Despite the austere times this gives us an impressive capital budget to make a difference to important local facilities and infrastructure and shows that we are open for business and here to do the very best for local people and businesses.”
​
Further proposed projects include:

• £6.2m to continue the completion of the Decent Homes programme in 2020/21, including kitchen and housing modernisations, and carry out energy efficiency and health and safety works funded through the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) major repairs allowance;
• £1.3m for ICT business transformation to enable more efficiencies to be made, streamline services and enable future revenue savings to be made
• £1.2m on core ICT infrastructure and software improvements that are vital to ensure the council remains a modern and productive business;
• £0.7m for theatres and leisure centres;
• £0.5m to develop and improve car park signage for the whole Borough and introduce new signage, particularly to promote alternative seafront car parks;
• £0.4m for a major CCTV upgrade to digital cameras;
• £0.25m for a new ‘wheeled sports’ facility in the central Southend area to be developed between 2018 and 2020. This will be for skateboarders, bikers and scooters;
• £0.25m to deliver short term measures to help deal with extreme rainfall events and plan for the medium and longer term;
• £0.25m to look into the feasibility of wave and tidal energy on the pier, drainage sensors and solar PV and battery energy;
• £0.2m for play equipment and park furniture;
• £50K to provide new commercial beach huts on the Pier, a small fleet of rickshaw type bikes for Pier visitors, and a new shelter on City Beach;
• £50K for new doors and security improvements at the Southend Travel Centre;
• £45K to replace handrails along the Cliffs area.

The £59.1m of new funding will take the approved capital programme for 2017/18 to 2020/21 to £185.8m, of which £58.8m of this is expected to be spent in 2017/18, £61.2m in 2018/19, £49.6m in 2019/20 and £16.2m in 2020/21. External funding accounts for £58.2m of this.