Outlook Issue 26 Spring 2013

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SOUTHEND-ON-SEA COUNCIL OF THE YEAR

YOUR OFFICIAL COUNCIL MAGAZINE www.southend.gov.uk

ISSUE 26 Spring 2013

Easter & Spring WASTE & RECYCLING collection dates PAGE 15

Promoting healthy LIFESTYLES CENTRE PAGES

What’s Del Boy doing ON THE PIER? TURN TO PAGE SIX TO FIND OUT

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Two weeks of fantastic courses!

Courses cost

£2.50 per hour

Course Title

Code

Date

Times

Venue

Fee (£)

■ Alternative Therapy Building Self-Esteem

BS604Y12

11/5/2013

10:00-12:00

Southchurch Library

5

■ Art and Craft ■ Painting Book Illuminations Water Colour For Beginners

BS551Y12 BS552Y12

24/5/2013 17/5/2013

12:30-14:30 12:30-14:30

Belfairs Centre Belfairs Centre

5 5

■ Textiles Clothes Making (Basic Skills) Polish Embroidery Sewing Machine (Basic Skills)

BS302Y12 BS603Y12 BS301Y12

22/5/2013 11/5/2013 15/5/2013

10:00-12:00 10:00-12:00 10:00-12:00

Southchurch Centre Southchurch Centre Southchurch Centre

5 5 5

■ Creative Writing How To Write A Press Release

BS152Y12

20/5/2013

12:30-14:30

Southchurch Centre

5

■ Fitness Chi Ball Colour Therapy Pilates Seated Tai Chi Tai Chi Yoga

BS305Y12 BS352Y12 BS202Y12 BS375Y12 BS141Y12

16/5/2013 8/5/2013 14/5/2013 22/5/2013 13/5/2013

10:00-11:00 13:15-14:30 10:00-11:30 19:30-21:00 11:15-12:45

Leigh Community Centre Southchurch Centre Leigh Community Centre Southchurch Centre Southchurch Centre

2.50 3.20 3.75 3.75 3.75

■ History History Of Art – Vermeer History Of Music – Tchaikovsky Lady Jane Grey The 9 Day Queen

BS303Y12 BS304Y12 BS353Y12

22/5/2013 15/5/2013 22/5/2013

10:00-12:00 10:00-12:00 12:15-14:45

Belfairs Centre Belfairs Centre Southchurch Centre

5 5 6.25

■ ICT Genealogy An Introduction Tame Your Laptop iTunes Music Downloading eBay Facebook Skype

BS453Y12 BS252Y12 BS553Y12 BS502Y12 BS501Y12 BS452Y12

23/5/2013 14/5/2013 17/5/2013 17/5/2013 24/5/2013 16/5/2013

12:45-14:45 12:45-14:45 12:45-14:45 10:00-12:00 10:00-12:00 12:45-14:45

Belfairs Centre Southchurch Centre Southchurch Centre Southchurch Centre Southchurch Centre Belfairs Centre

5 5 5 5 5 5

■ Modern Languages and Communication Skills Italian BS451Y12 Japanese Calligraphy & Language BS275Y12 Mandarin Calligraphy & Language BS602Y12 Spanish BS351Y12 British Sign Language BS601Y12 Makaton BS354Y12

23/5/2013 21/5/2013 18/5/2013 22/5/2013 18/5/2013 22/5/2013

12:30-14:30 19:00-21:00 10:00-12:00 12:30-14:30 10:00-12:00 13:00-15:00

Southchurch Centre Belfairs Centre Southchurch Centre Southchurch Centre Southchurch Centre Belfairs Centre

5 5 5 5 5 5

20/5/2013 13/5/2013

19:00-21:00 19:00-21:00

Southchurch Centre Southchurch Centre

5 5

■ Performing Arts Jazz And Pop Singing Singing: Basic Vocal & Breathing Techniques

BS176Y12 BS175Y12

Interested in learning , a subject that isn t offered...

let us know via

For more information on any of the above courses, please contact us on:

01702 445700 www.southend-adult.ac.uk

Southend Adult Community College Ambleside Drive, Southend on Sea, Essex SS1 2UP Email: info@southend-adult.ac.uk

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Clear focus to drive forward progress and regeneration

Spring 2013

By Council Leader Councillor NIGEL HOLDCROFT

N E W S & F E AT U R E S Proposed changes to social housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

NEITHER I nor my council colleagues entered local government to preside over a decimation of services. For 2013/14 we have had to deliver savings of £10.5million from a budget of £130million.

Yet, after reducing our budgets by tens of millions of pounds over the last three years the Chancellor tells us we face at least three more years of austerity measures.

With this challenge in mind, I can reassure all residents that this council has a clear focus on the priorities for the next few years.

We will also concentrate on making sure we still have an organisation capable of driving progress in the town and be ready for the upturn when it comes.

We will continue to support our committed workforce to deliver services in an ever more efficient and cost-effective way – as they have already proved they can do.

We will work more closely with other public bodies, the private sector and voluntary sector.

We will look to generate income from our assets, maximising rental income from our commercial properties.

Perhaps the greatest challenge is that we can no longer deliver free and subsidised services to all.

But we but must provide good quality services to those who rely on them, which are only free to those who cannot afford to pay for them.

Sometimes it might mean local government moving away from providing services which are better and more economically delivered by others.

This will enable us to maintain and improve the environment and the Borough’s facilities and stimulate investment and regeneration.

We want to create jobs and maintain a Borough with the parks, beaches, theatres, libraries, museums and the like which make Southend a place where people want to live.

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.

COUNCIL OF THE YEAR 2012

Childcare service among the best in UK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The sap is rising at an exciting woodland project . . . . . . 6

First wedding at end of pier was meant to be . . . . . . . . 7

CONTENTS

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New Superintendent’s policing priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Tough decision on setting Council budget . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Talented youth orchestra plans to expand . . . . . . . . . . 11 Pioneering care initiative rolled out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 School’s centenary celebrations begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Interfaith group works to benefit more people . . . . . . 15 Free food waste bin liners for all households . . . . . . . 16 Focus on benefit payment changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

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

Events to raise dementia awareness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Road safety messages taken to classrooms . . . . . . . . . . 19 What’s On Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20/21 Know your councillors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22/23 Action-packed water sports taster sessions . . . . . . . . . . 24

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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Housing proposals to help people IN MOST NEED T

HE Council is currently considering changes to the way it manages social housing.

The proposed changes aim to move people off the housing register and help homeless people find a property more quickly.

Prioritising those in greatest need of housing There are currently just under 6,000 people on the Council’s housing register and the new proposals will prioritise those in greatest need.

The Council plans to do this in a number of ways; including freeing up properties which become too big for the tenants. For example, with a family home, when the children grow up and move out, the tenants could be relocated to a more suitable property. The larger property would be reallocated to another family who needs it.

Offering limited tenancies rather than lifetime agreements would

Learn to Ride Sunday 21st April 2013 Learn to ride training course at the Civic Centre, only £5. One to one help and advice is at hand for beginners of all ages. Three time slots to choose from: 9.20am-10.20am, 10.30am11.30am and 11.40am-12.40pm.

National Bike Week Thursday 20th June 2013: 3.40pm Join us for a treasure hunt on bike along the Prittle Brook Greenway to the Belfairs Woodland Centre.

Every child receives a Cycle Southend goodie bag.

Children’s Bikeability Holiday Course Monday 29th July & Tuesday 30th July 2013: 9.00-1.00pm (both dates must be attended to complete course) A great opportunity to learn how to cycle on the road safely and confidently. A bike and helmet are essential for this course.

make best possible use of the housing available, as well as move people off the housing list more quickly.

Proposed changes to the criteria the Council uses to allocate housing will also reduce the waiting list. Only half the people currently on the housing register are thought to be in genuine housing need.

The Council will work to ensure that the housing list only includes those truly in need of housing assistance.

Tackling homelessness Part of the proposals currently under consideration means that homeless people could be offered a home in the private rented sector.

This would reduce the time they spend in temporary accommodation, while they wait for a home.

The Council has been working closely with the South Essex

Alliance of Landlords (SEAL), to ensure that there would be sufficient housing available in the private sector of suitable quality.

All private rented properties would be subject to quality checks by the Council, be suitable for the proposed tenant and be available for at least 12 months.

Jacqui Lansley, Head of Community Strategy and

Development, said: “The Council does not have sufficient social housing within the Borough to meet the current demand.

“So we have to make better use of the housing available and ensure that it is directed at those households most in need.”

These proposals will be considered by the Council’s Cabinet at its meeting in March.

Adults Bikeability Course Saturday 5th & 12th October 2013: 9.00-1.00pm (both dates must be attended to complete course) A great opportunity to learn how to cycle on the road safely and confidently. A bike and helmet are essential for this course.

Be Bright, Be Seen Thursday 31st October 2013: 12.30pm Join us for a bike ride from Southend Victoria Station to Belfairs Woodland Centre to participate in the Horrid Halloween Event organised by the Essex Wildlife Trust.

No Bike? No Problem!

Why Not Have A Walk Instead?

Join us for a walk from Leigh Station to Belfairs Woodland Centre to participate in the Horrid Halloween Event organised by the Essex Wildlife Trust.

To book your place on your cycle course or to find out more about any of our other events check out our website: WWW.CYCLESOUTHEND.CO.UK

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The Cambridge Court Extra Care accommodation for over 55s at Cambridge Road, Southend, which comprises 38 flats and bungalows. It is managed by Genesis Housing Association and tenants include people nominated by the Council.

Lunchtime Walks Every Wednesday starting 6th March 2013 Meeting at the Fountain outside the Civic Centre at 12.30 Approximately 30 minutes per walk.

Training Walks for the Colourthon 2013 Get fit for the Colourthon 2013 with Ideas in Motion!

The walks are designed to get you ready to take part in this event. We start off with a gentle 1 hour walk and gradually work up to a 4 hour walk.

Not taking part in the Colourthon? Join our walks anyway to increase your fitness!

Did you know that walking strengthens your heart, is good for your brain and bones.

So what are you waiting for?

Check out the dates and

meeting places below and come along and join us! All of our events are FREE. ■ Sunday 26th May 2013 1 hour walk – Meet Chalkwell Park, in car park 10am ■ Sunday 2nd June 2013 1 hour 20 minutes walk – Meet Priory Park, by bandstand 10am ■ Sunday 9th June 2013 2 hour walk, plus train trip – Meet Leigh Station 10am Walk to Benfleet Station and return by train. Train fare £2.40 ■ Wednesday 12th June 2013 2 hour 20 minutes walk – Meet Chalkwell Park, in car park 7pm ■ Sunday 23rd June 2013 3 hour walk – Meet Southchurch Park Cafe 10am ■ Sunday 30th June 2013 3 hour 40 minutes – Meet The Pier 10am

Please make sure you are wearing suitable footwear and clothing. We look forward to meeting you.

If you have any queries contact us at: ideasinmotion@ southend.gov.uk or 01702 215595 or email us to go on the mailing list for other walking events If you want to register for the Colourthon please go to: www.colourthon.org

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Childcare services are among the TOP CHILDMINDER:

BEST IN THE UK

Heidi Phillips with Gracie Parker, aged three, and 23-month-old William Smith.

C

HILDCARE provision in Southend has been rated as some of the best in the country. Results from Ofsted place the quality of the Council’s childminders as the third best in England, while the quality of early years provision has come in fourth place nationally.

The achievements have been linked to a heavy investment in training that means 70 per cent of the early years workforce is qualified at Level 3, equivalent to A-levels, or above and 60 per cent of managers are qualified at Level 4 to degree level.

Elaine Hammans, the Council’s Early Years Commissioning and Quality Manager, said: “Having a highly-skilled workforce that have been through additional training and qualifications ensures that only quality individuals work within the area to deliver high quality childcare provision to our youngest children.

“This has been made possible by working closely with Southend Adult Community College to shape training to meet local needs.”

The Council has also embraced a unique way of working directly with the National Childminding Association and the Pre-school Learning Alliance to provide support, advice and information to childcare practitioners, bringing together local and national skills and knowledge. Although the Council commissions, directs and monitors the work, the charity bodies and the early years team operate as one with joint objectives and goals.

Training and support is key to highest possible Ofsted rating HEIDI Phillips is one of Southend’s outstanding childminders.

With help from the Council and the local National Childminding Association (NCMA), she received the highest possible Ofsted rating within seven months of setting her business up in January 2011.

Heidi believes it would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the training and support she was given.

She said:“I am very passionate about my job and believe it is important to offer the

best possible service and give children the best start in life. The NCMA gave me support and guidance right from the start.

“I received pre-registration training, and a toolkit with all the paperwork I needed.”

“I have also been able to complete courses in safeguarding and inclusion as well as the necessary Early Years Foundation Stage training.”

Heidi is registered to look after up to three under fives at any one time.

Children in her care enjoy trips to toddler

groups, the library and the park as well as messy play, crafts and helping to prepare food and snacks at her home.

“I was over the moon to be rated as outstanding and I don’t think I would have got there if it wasn’t for the support I received. I’d like to thank everyone involved for that,” she added.

“Quality is so important when it comes to childcare and it is good to know the Council and the NCMA is so passionate about getting it right.”

Busy summer sees lots of events going on in Southend MORE events are being organised and lined up for Southend for 2013 – now the airshow is not being staged in the town for the first time because of budgetary restrictions.

The much-loved flying weekend, which attracted thousands of visitors, may be staged at some time in the future if the Council can attract a commercial sponsor.

In the meantime visitor numbers continue to grow at the town’s latest

attraction – the Cultural Centre on Southend Pier. Audiences are being treated to Little Grimley’s Troubles Tripled – a comedy about a fading amateur dramatic society, which runs for two nights on Friday, 22 March and 23 March.

Stephen Berkoff’s adaptation of The Trial

by Franz Kafka is being staged on Friday 14 to Sunday 16 June.

The Bard is celebrated with a ShakesPIER

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

Festival from Friday 12 July to Sunday 14 July. The festival includes matinee and evening performances of The Taming of the Shrew along with a local production of the Merry Wives of Windsor.

Set to become an annual event, the Comedy Festival makes a welcome return to the Pier from Thursday 18 July to Sunday 21 July.

See What’s On Sea pages 20 & 21

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Southenders

Del Boy has a butchers at Southend pier to get ready for the Only Fools and Horses exhibition.

Lovely jubbly as Peckham posse head for the pier FANS have already imagined Del Boy and Rodders coming to Southend in their own unofficial script and now they’re staging an Only Fools tribute exhibition in the town for real. One aficionado has already been on his own flight of fantasy and written his own “episode” called One for the Road.

Posted on the Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society website, it has our heroes driving up from Peckham in 1988 to buy hookey booze from a character called Sunglasses Ron. Before booking into a B&B, Del tells his hapless brother:“Here we are in Southend, it’s lovely ain’t it Rodders,” before they head off to sample the nightlife on the Essex Riveria.

Well 25 years on from that

fleeting imagined visit, the Appreciation Society is now bringing the Peckham posse to life through an exhibition being staged at the Cultural Centre on Southend Pier.

Actress Sue Holderness – Marlene to you and me – will perform the opening ceremony.

Cushty value with Del’s famous “West End goods at Southend prices”, the exhibition features costumes, a set of the Peckham flat, props and even the famous Trotters three-wheeler.

Bespoke souvenirs will be on offer including Peckham spring water. So because you know that who dares wins, get yourself down to the Pier between 29 March and 14 April – you know it makes sense or as Del would say, plume de ma tante!

An irresistible ‘des res’ SPECULATION is rife as to why house prices in Southend have risen at a higher rate than anywhere else in the UK. A survey conducted by Halifax, the country’s biggest mortgage provider, revealed an increase of 14.8 per cent during 2012 with the average selling price for a home in the Borough now standing at £198,418.

Could the price leap be because Southend is the sunniest place in Britain, or excitement over airport expansion or the magnificent developments

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on the world-famous pier?

Or – this column would venture to suggest with the utmost modesty – because of the splendid award-winning local authority, judged to be Council of the Year (that’s official!)

Maybe it’s all of the above. Or would you buy the notion, as one wag commented, that the secret is in the heady mix of sea air, jellied eels and ice-cream which makes Southend simply an irresistible des res? Sold – subject to contract.

Construction Manager Graham Milne and Essex Wildlife Trust Education and Community Officer Jo Loman on site at the Belfairs Woodland Centre which is on schedule to open this summer.

The sap is rising at woodland education centre T

habitats across the landscape from HE Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs to Hadleigh and Daws Heath which is part of a £1.9 million and help people access and enjoy the partnership project to boost countryside. The Council has unique and ancient woodland and contributed £250,000 to the scheme wildlife, is on course to open this and is among 25 funders, including the summer.

Heritage Lottery Fund.

Building work has progressed well on the £800,000 single storey, timber For details about activities being clad centre, which is at the heart of the run by the Wildlife Trust, visit project involving the Council and www.southend.gov.uk/belfairs Essex Wildlife Trust. woodlandcentre Council Parks Technical Officer Paul Heavy Plant Driver Jenkinson said: “Work on Chris Dunmore at the centre is progressing work on the new well and it is due to open woodland centre. in time for the school summer holidays. In the meantime the Wildlife Trust has appointed a full-time Education and Community Officer as well as a Woodland Ranger, who are already running events and activities.”

The idea of the project is to improve wildlife

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Residents urged to help clampdown on housing tenancy frauds

Photo courtesy of Echo Newspapers

LOVE IS...

A BENCH AT THE END OF THE PIER. Newly-weds Ian and Emma Barnes pose for a photo on the bench where they sat on their first date.

AT THE

end of the pier...

...IT WAS ALWAYS MEANT TO BE

F

OR soldier Ian Barnes and his wife Emma, Southend’s world famous pier has always held a special place in their hearts.

A year ago the couple went on their first unforgettable date at the iconic tourist attraction – and, as their love blossomed, they were to revisit on many happy occasions.

So when last month they became the first ever bride and groom to exchange their wedding vows at the end of the pier, both Ian and Emma felt it was meant to be. “The pier will always be a romantic place for us – when we had the chance to be married there we did not hesitate,” said 22-year-old Ian, a private in the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment.

“There’s a bench at the pier end where we sat on our first date so we had one of our wedding day photos of us sitting on that bench.”

Emma, a 24-year-old care home assistant, said: “When we found out ours was to be the first marriage at the end of the pier I had the feeling it was meant to be – it’s a very special place for us both.”

The couple had the opportunity to book their dream marriage venue when the Council announced they were holding wedding ceremonies and receptions in the new £3 million Cultural Centre at the end of the world’s longest pier.

Ian, his best man and guests

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

travelled the 1.34-mile distance from the pier head to the Centre on an exclusive “wedding special” train – one of the two diesel trains on the pier’s narrow gauge railway.

Emma and her mum, Fern Hunter, who gave away her daughter, followed in the pier’s maroon-coloured tram.

Lynn Jones, the Council’s Resort Services Manager, said: “It’s a unique and romantic place to be married and I’m sure it will be very popular – we already have another eight weddings booked there.

“The Cultural Centre can cater for up to 120 guests and it’s a great venue to dance the night away at a reception.”

HOUSING cheats will not be tolerated in Southend. This is the message from the Council’s Counter Fraud Team as they work to save money and help house those in need by stamping out tenancy fraud.

Residents are being asked to help out by being vigilant and reporting any concerns.

These can include: ● Someone who has lied or withheld important information to get housed or buy a council house ● Unoccupied council properties ● Council houses that seem to have a stream of different occupants and could be being sublet ● Properties now being occupied by a different family member or just a son or daughter ● Local authority housing that is not the person’s main residence. For example they spend most of their time at another property This type of fraud costs local authorities in England around £900 million a year and denies such housing to those who really need it.

Anyone caught committing housing fraud is likely to be evicted and lose their right to council housing in the future.

They could also be fined or sent to prison.

A zero-tolerance approach sees the team working with neighbouring local authorities Castle Point Borough Council and Rochford District Council as well as South Essex Homes and social homes providers such as Swan and Estuary housing.

Counter Fraud Specialist Hayley Sharpling said:“We will not tolerate fraud of any kind and will investigate any concerns reported to us.”

Anyone aware of someone committing housing tenancy fraud can report it anonymously via the 24-hour reportline 01702 215215 or by contacting the Council’s Counter Fraud Team on 01702 215254 or via counterfraud @southend.gov.uk

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Priority push to cut HOUSE BURGLARIES T

ACKLING rising burglary rates and building better community relations in Southend are high on the agenda for Nick Morris – the newly-appointed Police Superintendent for the Borough.

The 20-year career policeman who started off as a bobby in Basildon took over the strategic and decision-making hot seat at the end of 2012 with a clear view of the way forward for policing.

He said:“It’s a very simple plan to police respectfully and in a prompt manner, to be attentive and listen and to deal with issues in a professional way while keeping people up to date with what’s going on.

“It’s also about keeping everyone safe but balancing that against constraints on resources while engaging with partners and the people of Southend so we can better understand local problems.”

That involves Nick working closely with the Council and the newly-elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex Nick Alston.

The 41-year-old Superintendent said:“My priority is to reduce the number of house burglaries which have seen a rise between April and December of 9.3 per cent compared

to the same period the year before. That’s another 56 burglary victims in Southend. We understand only too well the impact on victims so it’s a priority in terms of resources.

“We’re targeting known offenders and working with the Council as well as the probation service to address their offending so we can try and get them to stop. But if they don’t and they are caught, we will lock them up.

“On top of that we want to hear what people in Southend want from their police force. All they have to do is go on to the Essex Police website and they will find details for their local officers or they can go to beat surgeries in their area.

“I want to hear from the young and the old, businesses and a cross section of the community.”

To find the local police officer for your area go to www.essex.police.uk and follow the links to My Area.

Superintendent Nick Morris pictured in Southend town centre.

People involved in private foster care arrangements are being reminded they are required to tell Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

Private fostering is where a child under 16 – or 18 if they are disabled – lives with someone outside of their immediate family for 28 days or more.

In these cases, the Council has a duty to arrange for a social care worker to If you are visit the carer to make involved in a private sure the child is safe fostering arrangement and well cared for, or know someone who is, you should call as well as offering Southend-on-Sea advice and support.

Borough Council on 01702 215007.

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WORKING HARD TO MEET

spending challenge T

OUGH decisions forced by Government-imposed spending cuts have led to the first increase in Southend’s Council Tax in three years.

Councillors, in agreeing the 2013/14 Budget, decided against freezing the Council Tax again as accepting the grant would have resulted in the authority having to make greater budget cuts for both the forthcoming financial year and beyond.

Accordingly, this year’s Budget includes a Council Tax increase of 1.75 per cent – equivalent to 38 pence a week for the average Band D property. There have also been some changes to Council Tax exemptions (see panel right).

Council Leader Nigel Holdcroft said: “We are now into the third year of the austerity measures and these financial decisions are becoming harder and harder to make. This year, we are required to find savings of £10.5 million.

“As well as the continued reduction in government funding, there have also been some major financial changes to the way in which local government operates, including the management of business rates by the local authority and the creation of a local Council Tax scheme, which replaces Council Tax benefit.

“Over the past two years, we have delivered a raft of economies and efficiency savings, which have enabled us to avoid physically cutting services.

However we no longer have any leeway and sadly it has become

Childcare places for two-year-olds are being expanded – like the ones at the Centre Place Family Centre where mum Stacey Hughes and her son Ryan Nicklas are pictured.

impossible for us to deliver a balanced budget without it effecting some services and jobs.

“Even so, everything possible has been done to minimise the impact on those who live and work in Southend. For example, we have again frozen the majority of car parking charges and kept the increase in other annual fees and charges to a minimum, in a bid to assist town centre and seafront businesses.”

The Council is already planning ahead, thinking about the financial challenges for 2014/15 and beyond.

This includes preparing for an increase in demand for certain services which will result from the predicted 11 percent rise in the number of Demi, aged 11, who has profound autism, Southend residents aged goes climbing on a short break paid for by over 65. the Council. The authority’s programme Councillor Holdcroft has been protected from budget cuts.

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

explained: “We are determined not to make decisions on a short-term year-by-year basis and have already begun looking at how we can make major savings in service delivery going forward.

“We will continue to pursue means of delivering our services more economically in partnership with other public bodies, the private sector and the voluntary sector.

“We must continue to find ways to help individuals and communities to help themselves.

For example, by investing in those services that enable people to stay living safely in their own homes for longer.

“We will search out alternative methods of generating income as well as continue to encourage both existing and new businesses to create jobs locally.

“I do genuinely believe that the continuing hard work and co-operation of our staff and partners will enable the Council to meet the ever increasing challenges we are facing head-on.”

Changes to exemptions and discounts THE Council is introducing the following changes to Council Tax Exemptions and discounts for some properties from the beginning of April: ■ Class A properties which are vacant and requiring or undergoing structural alterations or repair were previously 100 per cent exempt for 12 months. Now they will be awarded a 25 per cent locally defined discount for a maximum of one year ■ Class C unoccupied or substantially unfurnished properties were previously 100 per cent exempt for up to six months. This no longer applies with the property now being awarded a 100 per cent exemption for three months only ■ The second home discount of 10 percent has now been abolished and the full charge will become due and payable from 1 April 2013 ■ Empty properties were previously subject to the full charge. From April, the owner of a property empty for two years or more will be subject to a charge of 150 per cent of the normal Council Tax of the property For more information on these changes and other types of exemptions and discounts go to www.southend.gov.uk/ discount

Pushing on with capital projects THE Council is also pushing forward with a capital programme which will deliver improved facilities and boost growth locally. These include: ■ A four-year programme of repairs to paths, roads and tracks within Southend’s parks ■ Restoration of the Borough’s war memorials to repair damage caused by acid rain and the salty coastal environment ■ The expansion of childcare places for two-year-olds ■ Capital investment to support the Council’s Short Breaks programme for disabled children ■ £4.5m of sea defence works ■ £2.13m of improvements to the Kent Elms, Bell Corner and Tesco roundabout junctions on the A127 ■ £500,000 investment towards making Southend a “wireless borough”

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• Aged between 40-74 years?

• Not diagnosed with previous heart problems, stroke/TIA, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol?

• Not had a previous NHS health check in the last 5 years?

Contact your GP for more information about your free M.O.T.

Outlook p11

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Residents are keen to shape future of library services

Members of the Southend Youth Orchestra in a practice session at Southend High School for Girls are, back row left to right, Sam Baumgartner, Rebecca Rimmington, Eleanor Jackson, Beth Manicon and Melody Crater, front row left to right, Roseanna Dunn, Lydia Smee, Naomi Smee and Tara Collins.

Youth orchestra seeks

more musicians A

N orchestra, which gives talented young people from across the Borough a platform to develop their potential even further, is looking to recruit more musicians.

Southend Youth Orchestra was set up last summer with an initial 22 members and immediately struck a chord in the community.

It now has more than 50 11 to 18-year-olds taking part but organisers are hoping to swell its ranks further. In particular, they are looking for school pupils who play what are currently less popular instruments.

Co-ordinator, Conductor and the Borough’s Head of Music Services,

Ros Pitcher, said: “The orchestra was formed as part of our commitment to the National Plan for Music Education and the South East Essex Music Education Hub and complements and builds on what schools offer.

“It is aimed at young people from all backgrounds who are interested in performing music and gives them access to resources and opportunities to realise their potential and develop their talent.

“Every month our numbers have grown but we are still looking to recruit more musicians. We are particularly looking for people who play instruments that have fallen out of popularity in recent years.

Gallery to move to The Forum THE renowned Focal Point Gallery, currently based at Southend Central Library, is moving to a new home, thanks to a £500,000 Arts Council grant. The visual arts venue will be re-established in a custom-built gallery at The Forum Southend-on-Sea in Elmer Square – the £27 million joint library and learning facility scheduled to open in September.

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

“These include string instruments such as violins, violas, cellos and the double bass as well as wind instruments such as the French horn and the bassoon.”

The orchestra has already performed at a Christmas concert and is being lined up for a series of events throughout 2013.

They include the Southend Makes Music event at the Palace Theatre on 25 March and a concert at the Westcliff High School for Boys on 19 April.

Members of the orchestra are also being encouraged to take part in the Take 5 musical partnership event, which will involve the staging of a production of the opera Carmen at the Royal Opera House, Thurrock.

Orchestra rehearsals take place every month at its current home, which is the Southend Adult Community College, and anyone who is interested in joining should call Ros on 07901 114436 or visit the website www.seemeh.co.uk Musicians must have attained Grade 4 on string instruments or Grade 6 to 8 on woodwind, brass or percussion to be considered.

THE biggest review of Southend Library Services in 15 years has led to thounsands of online and postal responses from residents who want to play a part in shaping the future.

More than 2,000 people have had their say as part of the first phase of consultation into how libraries are currently used and how they can be developed.

The feedback is now being studied and a series of proposals will be drawn up over the next few weeks.

All options will be weighed up as the Council looks to move forward with a sustainable service for residents which also fits in with the ongoing reduction in local government budgets.

Strategy and Planning Manager for Culture Sharon Wheeler said:“We are very encouraged by the number of people who have taken the time to be part of the consultation.

“We are now analysing the responses to look at how people use their library, how they think the service can be improved and to ensure it meets their priorities going forward.

“Once developed, there will be a further opportunity for residents and library users to give us their views on the proposals before any final decisions are made.”

She added:“This forms part of the Council’s full review into how services are delivered and is the first strategic review into libraries since 1998, when the unitary authority was formed.”

The service currently consists of a main central library, six branch libraries, one mobile library and a home library service that is delivered by volunteers.

For more information about the range of services offered through the libraries, people can visit www.southend.gov.uk/ libraries

SPRING 2013 Outlook

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Outlook p12-13

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Encouraging healthier lifestyles is key aim in Council’s new role F

Senior Occupational Therapist Lesley Beckinsale and Senior Physiotherapist Joseph Thomas are part of the Southend’s ground-breaking SPOR team.

Council initiative rolled out over a wider area PIONEERING care for the over-65s first launched in Southend by the Council and its NHS partners in 2011 has been so successful it has been rolled out over a wider area.

Essex County Council joined the Single Point of Referral (SPOR) team in November 2012, giving equality of care to everyone in South East Essex.

SPOR – a mix of NHS and local authority professionals – was set up a little over a year ago to provide a referral point for professionals to access pathways for care decisions. It can include avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions and providing support at home or in other care settings instead.

A multi-disciplinary team of nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and admin support staff carry out assessments as they deal with an average of 250 referrals a month.

Amanda Yeates, SPOR Co-ordinator for the South Essex Partnership Trust, said: “Before SPOR, it was a case of finding an available space for people when they were referred by their GP. That might not always have been the right solution for them.

“Now we have a complete overview of capacity, it means people now get the right care,

12 Outlook SPRING 2013

at the right time and in the right place. That might ultimately mean a hospital admission but equally we do try and help people stay at home by mobilising community support.”

The Council’s SPOR Team Manager Helen Bartlett said: “It’s a fantastic partnership which means we as a Council, while administering NHS money, are more able to support people, whether that be on discharge from hospital or to maintain their independence in the first place.

“For us, it’s all about reablement, about helping people to get better and, if that’s right for them, to remain independent in their own communities.”

Mike Boyle, the Council’s Head of Adult Commissioning, said:“Southend is part of the national pilot for Whole Community Budgets. The development of this service complements this initiative and demonstrates that collaborative commissioning really can deliver better outcomes.”

SPOR is already attracting national attention and has been a finalist for the Health Service Journal 2012 awards and a finalist in the Local Government Chronicle Awards 2013 for innovative partnership working.

UNDING of £7.3 million will be used to help ensure residents live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives as the Council takes over the responsibility for public health from the NHS. As part of national changes to the public health system in England, responsibilities will return to local authorities who will have a new statutory duty to take steps to improve the health of their population from 1 April.

The Council will also have a duty to create plans to protect the health of the population and give public health advice to NHS Commissioners.

The funding will be used to tackle some of the major causes of ill health including smoking, Stop physical inactivity and obesity.

Smoking The Council will be responsible Service Manager for sexual health and Tony Mardle with a contraceptive services, local monitor which is used delivery of the national to measure carbon programme to weigh and measure monoxide levels the height of children in Reception of patients. and Year 6, and NHS Health Checks for 40 to 74-year-olds.

Director of Public Health for “We particularly want to focus Southend Dr Andrea Atherton on making sure children have the said: “These changes provide best start in life, and that people opportunities for public health to live longer, healthier lives.” work more closely with council Figures show that one in five of services such as housing, leisure Southend’s adult population are and environmental health to improve the health of people in the smokers, one in four adults are obese and less than half of the Borough.

Health Trainer Martin Antonelli checks resident Carol Wright’s blood pressure and gives her husband Keith healthy eating advice during a session at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre.

Save time – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

Outreach Nurse for Contraception and Sexual Health Services Anita Lynn, right, advises a patient at a clinic. adult population do the recommended levels of physical activity.

The public health funding will be spread across all services but stop smoking initiatives, the lifestyle advice programme Making Every Contact Count

and falls prevention have been identified as priority areas for work in the first year.

The Council’s Chief Executive Rob Tinlin said: “These developments in the public health system give us a renewed and significant role in

improving the health and wellbeing of Southend residents.

We welcome public health staff to the Council and look forward to ensuring the health of the people of Southend in a far more co-ordinated way.”

Exercise Referral and Group Fitness Co-ordinator Jan Harvey advises 70-year-old Lyn Witte on an exercise programme at the gym at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre. Jan and Lyn feature on our cover.

SAVS charity to take charge of Healthwatch A well-established leading local charity has been chosen to run Southend’s Healthwatch scheme.

Southend Association of Voluntary Services (SAVS) will take charge of the organisation which is being set up as part of the changes in health and social care.

Healthwatch will provide a range of services including information and advice, health complaints advocacy and signposting. It will also be an independent consumer champion for the public to promote better health and social care in Southend.

Membership of Healthwatch is open to everyone in the community and there will be a range of opportunities for volunteers to get involved.

Representatives from Healthwatch will have a place on the Health and Wellbeing Board – a new statutory committee of the Council.

Results from the recent Health and Wellbeing Strategy consultation will be released shortly. This strategy focuses on the health and wellbeing needs of people in the Borough.

More information will be available on Healthwatch’s website, which will be launched when Healthwatch starts on the 1 April. The website address will be www.healthwatchsouthend.co.uk

Care changes are good news for residents A new organisation tasked with buying in health services for Southend believes residents will be better catered for as a result of the public health care changes.

The Southend Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) takes over the role from the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and covers a population of almost 184,000 people in the Borough compared to many more in the South East Essex area covered by the PCT. Yvonne Campen, the CCG’s Head of Strategy and Partnerships, said:“We are really excited about the opportunities we have been provided with as a result of the national changes.

“The new structure has created a smaller organisation but one that can be more focussed on one specific area.

“We have always had great relationships with partner organisations such as the Council but those relationships were diluted slightly because we had so many different groups to deal with.

“After 1 April, all the organisations we come into contact with will be working for the same group of residents and we will all be able to focus clearly on the local health priorities.”

One of the Group’s key areas of work will be helping to improve care for those with long-term conditions who often make unplanned visits to hospital.

SPRING 2013 Outlook

13

Outlook p12-13

6/3/13

17:21

Page 1

Encouraging healthier lifestyles is key aim in Council’s new role F

Senior Occupational Therapist Lesley Beckinsale and Senior Physiotherapist Joseph Thomas are part of the Southend’s ground-breaking SPOR team.

Council initiative rolled out over a wider area PIONEERING care for the over-65s first launched in Southend by the Council and its NHS partners in 2011 has been so successful it has been rolled out over a wider area.

Essex County Council joined the Single Point of Referral (SPOR) team in November 2012, giving equality of care to everyone in South East Essex.

SPOR – a mix of NHS and local authority professionals – was set up a little over a year ago to provide a referral point for professionals to access pathways for care decisions. It can include avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions and providing support at home or in other care settings instead.

A multi-disciplinary team of nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and admin support staff carry out assessments as they deal with an average of 250 referrals a month.

Amanda Yeates, SPOR Co-ordinator for the South Essex Partnership Trust, said: “Before SPOR, it was a case of finding an available space for people when they were referred by their GP. That might not always have been the right solution for them.

“Now we have a complete overview of capacity, it means people now get the right care,

12 Outlook SPRING 2013

at the right time and in the right place. That might ultimately mean a hospital admission but equally we do try and help people stay at home by mobilising community support.”

The Council’s SPOR Team Manager Helen Bartlett said: “It’s a fantastic partnership which means we as a Council, while administering NHS money, are more able to support people, whether that be on discharge from hospital or to maintain their independence in the first place.

“For us, it’s all about reablement, about helping people to get better and, if that’s right for them, to remain independent in their own communities.”

Mike Boyle, the Council’s Head of Adult Commissioning, said:“Southend is part of the national pilot for Whole Community Budgets. The development of this service complements this initiative and demonstrates that collaborative commissioning really can deliver better outcomes.”

SPOR is already attracting national attention and has been a finalist for the Health Service Journal 2012 awards and a finalist in the Local Government Chronicle Awards 2013 for innovative partnership working.

UNDING of £7.3 million will be used to help ensure residents live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives as the Council takes over the responsibility for public health from the NHS. As part of national changes to the public health system in England, responsibilities will return to local authorities who will have a new statutory duty to take steps to improve the health of their population from 1 April.

The Council will also have a duty to create plans to protect the health of the population and give public health advice to NHS Commissioners.

The funding will be used to tackle some of the major causes of ill health including smoking, Stop physical inactivity and obesity.

Smoking The Council will be responsible Service Manager for sexual health and Tony Mardle with a contraceptive services, local monitor which is used delivery of the national to measure carbon programme to weigh and measure monoxide levels the height of children in Reception of patients. and Year 6, and NHS Health Checks for 40 to 74-year-olds.

Director of Public Health for “We particularly want to focus Southend Dr Andrea Atherton on making sure children have the said: “These changes provide best start in life, and that people opportunities for public health to live longer, healthier lives.” work more closely with council Figures show that one in five of services such as housing, leisure Southend’s adult population are and environmental health to improve the health of people in the smokers, one in four adults are obese and less than half of the Borough.

Health Trainer Martin Antonelli checks resident Carol Wright’s blood pressure and gives her husband Keith healthy eating advice during a session at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre.

Save time – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

Outreach Nurse for Contraception and Sexual Health Services Anita Lynn, right, advises a patient at a clinic. adult population do the recommended levels of physical activity.

The public health funding will be spread across all services but stop smoking initiatives, the lifestyle advice programme Making Every Contact Count

and falls prevention have been identified as priority areas for work in the first year.

The Council’s Chief Executive Rob Tinlin said: “These developments in the public health system give us a renewed and significant role in

improving the health and wellbeing of Southend residents.

We welcome public health staff to the Council and look forward to ensuring the health of the people of Southend in a far more co-ordinated way.”

Exercise Referral and Group Fitness Co-ordinator Jan Harvey advises 70-year-old Lyn Witte on an exercise programme at the gym at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre. Jan and Lyn feature on our cover.

SAVS charity to take charge of Healthwatch A well-established leading local charity has been chosen to run Southend’s Healthwatch scheme.

Southend Association of Voluntary Services (SAVS) will take charge of the organisation which is being set up as part of the changes in health and social care.

Healthwatch will provide a range of services including information and advice, health complaints advocacy and signposting. It will also be an independent consumer champion for the public to promote better health and social care in Southend.

Membership of Healthwatch is open to everyone in the community and there will be a range of opportunities for volunteers to get involved.

Representatives from Healthwatch will have a place on the Health and Wellbeing Board – a new statutory committee of the Council.

Results from the recent Health and Wellbeing Strategy consultation will be released shortly. This strategy focuses on the health and wellbeing needs of people in the Borough.

More information will be available on Healthwatch’s website, which will be launched when Healthwatch starts on the 1 April. The website address will be www.healthwatchsouthend.co.uk

Care changes are good news for residents A new organisation tasked with buying in health services for Southend believes residents will be better catered for as a result of the public health care changes.

The Southend Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) takes over the role from the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and covers a population of almost 184,000 people in the Borough compared to many more in the South East Essex area covered by the PCT. Yvonne Campen, the CCG’s Head of Strategy and Partnerships, said:“We are really excited about the opportunities we have been provided with as a result of the national changes.

“The new structure has created a smaller organisation but one that can be more focussed on one specific area.

“We have always had great relationships with partner organisations such as the Council but those relationships were diluted slightly because we had so many different groups to deal with.

“After 1 April, all the organisations we come into contact with will be working for the same group of residents and we will all be able to focus clearly on the local health priorities.”

One of the Group’s key areas of work will be helping to improve care for those with long-term conditions who often make unplanned visits to hospital.

SPRING 2013 Outlook

13

Outlook p14

7/3/13

09:50

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WANTED: committed volunteers to serve as school governors MORE people are being encouraged to make a contribution to the education of Southend children by signing up for the volunteer role of school governor. Their key role is to ensure that Southend schools are highly effective and provide the best education possible.

Governors play an important part in school life in many ways, including setting targets for pupil achievement,

managing the school’s finances, making sure the curriculum is balanced and broadly based, appointing staff and reviewing performance and pay.

Richard Matthew, Chair of Governors at the Federation of Greenways Schools, said:“There are no formal qualifications needed to become a governor. The one essential requirement though is an interest in, and a commitment to, the best possible education for all children.

“An effective governing body can make a significant contribution to school performance and it is this which makes the role of governors so important and, for those who volunteer, very worthwhile.”

Anyone interested in becoming a school governor can apply online at www.southend.gov.uk/governor or can call Children’s Services on 01702 215007.

l e n n u t e m i T journey to

celebrate s r a e y 0 10

F

Above, West Leigh Junior and Infants School pupils Alice Rockcliffe, aged nine, and Dmitri Sinclair-House, aged eight, with a centenary school shield created by pupils in an art competition. The design includes pupils’ portraits which make up the number 100.

Below, Head Teacher Cheryl Woolf with pupils Livvy Bosson, aged seven, and Brandon Millbank, aged 11, study an old school register as part of the time tunnel project.

ORMER pupils and teachers are being asked to take a trip down memory lane to help West Leigh Junior and Infants schools celebrate their centenary. A year of community events is planned to mark the 100th anniversary including music concerts, a street party, a dinner and dance, a series of open days and drama productions.

Children have also taken part in an art competition to design a new logo, which features their self portraits. And two giant mosaics, designed by local artist Paul Siggins with the help of the pupils, are being erected at the school’s front entrance and rear playground later this spring.

Another fascinating feature will be a “time tunnel” installed in the Leigh-on-Sea school’s corridors which will take visitors on a journey through the decades using photos, old school reports and memories from pupils past and present.

Meanwhile souvenir centenary mugs have been produced and are being sold at the schools.

Head Teacher Cheryl Woolf said: “The children’s participation in making our special mosaic marks the start of a year of activity and celebration for our centenary year.

Digging deep into archive “We have plenty of diverse events planned throughout 2013 and everyone is very enthusiastic, especially as we see our plans come to fruition.

“We are also asking former pupils and teachers to come forward with their photographs, old school reports and anecdotes to help us put together our time tunnel journey through 100 years. We are digging deep into our own archive but the more things people can submit the better.”

Artist Paul Siggins, who will be unveiling the mosaics in April, said: “It’s been a pleasure working with every student to create their school entrance and playground mosaics.This is a wonderful project – the mosaics celebrate many different aspects of school life – artworks which will stand the test of time, remaining vibrant and beautiful for many future generations to enjoy.”

For more details about upcoming events visit the school website www.westleighjunior.co.uk/centenary. Anyone who has memories or old photographs to share should contact school press officer Carly Hay on 01792 478593 or email her on Carly@westleigh-jun.southend.sch.uk

14 Outlook SPRING 2013

Outlook p15

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WORKING TOGETHER: Pictured in the Ark at the Southend and District Reform Synagogue are Interfaith Working Group members Peter Hall, the Council’s Senior Advisor for Equalities and Inclusion, and Della Carr, Chairman of the Synagogue.

Faith groups action R

ELATIONSHIPS fostered by the Council through the Southend Interfaith Working Group are set to benefit a growing number of people across the Borough.

Now in its second year, representatives from faith groups like Southend Faiths Forum, Love Southend and Southend Mosque, as well as the Jewish and Christian communities, have come together to plan a number of initiatives.

Peter Hall, the Council’s Senior Advisor for Equalities and Inclusion, said: “We spent the first year making sure the building blocks were in place. Key has been the appointment of part-time volunteer John Bastin as a point of contact at the Council.

“We’re finalising our Charter and now plan to develop genuine partnerships to deal with issues like homelessness. We want to target hate crime, develop a faith

Easter, May Day and Spring Bank Holiday

Collection Dates

leaflet for the whole Borough and encourage community-based initiatives for people in what are really tough times.”

All places of worship within the Borough are being mapped so they can be added to the ‘Where I Live’ section on the Council’s website.

For more information on the group, which meets four times a year, go to www.siwg.co.uk or email interfaith@southend.gov.uk

Normal collection day

Residents warned over verge parking RESIDENTS are being warned that the Council will clamp down on people who cause damage by parking on grass verges.

Unsightly damage is spoiling the Borough’s carefully protected environment and placing more pressure on Council finances.

The Council can no longer continue to cover the rising costs of repairing the damage, especially as it faces the most severe budget cuts for local authorities in living memory. The Council’s Environmental Care team regularly patrols the Borough, including evenings and weekends.

A spokesman explained: “These officers will gather evidence of verge parking and damage to kerbs and verges. The Council will pursue such activity either by prosecutions or other enforcement action depending on the circumstances.

“Residents must be aware that the Council will be taking a stringent approach to such behaviour – which is totally unacceptable – to prevent it spreading any further.”

Revised collection day

Days late

Friday 29th March

Saturday 30th March

1 day late

Monday 1st April

Tuesday 2nd April

1 day late

Tuesday 2nd April

Wednesday 3rd April

1 day late

Wednesday 3rd April

Thursday 4th April

1 day late

Thursday 4th April

Friday 5th April

1 day late

Friday 5th April

Saturday 6th April

1 day late

Monday 6th May

Tuesday 7th May

1 day late

Tuesday 7th May

Wednesday 8th May

1 day late

Wednesday 8th May

Thursday 9th May

1 day late

Thursday 9th May

Friday 10th May

1 day late

Friday 10th May

Saturday 11th May

1 day late

Monday 27th May

Tuesday 28th May

1 day late

Tuesday 28th May

Wednesday 29th May

1 day late

Wednesday 29th May

Thursday 30th May

1 day late

Thursday 30th May

Friday 31st May

1 day late

Friday 31st May

Saturday 1st June

1 day late

Easter Bank Holiday

May Day Bank Holiday

Spring Bank Holiday

For more information call 01702 215006 or visit www.southend.gov.uk/recycling Tell us – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

SPRING 2013 Outlook

15

Outlook p16

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08:50

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Illegal waste disposal clampdown RESTRICTIONS have been imposed on when commercial-type vehicles can access Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) as part of plans to prevent illegal disposal of commercial waste and reduce the Council’s £3 million waste disposal budget.

Transit-type and small vans, open back vehicles and people carriers that have been permanently altered to carry large loads are now only allowed to access Southend’s two HWRCs between noon and 4pm on Sundays.

Research has shown that most commercial waste – the waste generated through business or trade activities – is illegally disposed of in HWRCs in commercial-type vehicles.

Commercial waste cannot be accepted at the sites because they are not licensed to receive it.

Businesses are responsible for arranging the disposal of their own waste and they have a legal responsibility to record where their waste is disposed of. There are no restrictions on when other vehicles can visit the HWRCs. More information about the types of vehicles affected can be found at www.southend.gov.uk/hwrc. A leaflet can also be requested by calling 01702 215006.

Inspections help to boost security in the home A unique mobile home security service is available to residents in the Borough to help beat the burglars and boost safety.

The Age UK HandyVan project involves trained fitters visiting people over the age of 60 to carry out checks. Following the inspections, equipment such as door locks, chains, viewers and window locks can be installed.

Free smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and new light bulbs are also handed out.

Experts also make suggestions to remove trip and slip hazards.

The service is supported by Age UK, Southend Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and Essex Police.

To book a visit call 0845 026 1055 or email handyvan@ageuk.co.uk To qualify, people must be 60 years old or over and have less than £20,000 savings (excluding the value of the property).

16 Outlook SPRING 2013

Steve Bright, a Borough Recycling Champion, with his food recycling bin and one of the new liners which are being distributed to all households free of charge.

Free bin liners boost food waste recycling F

REE compostable bin liners will make food waste recycling even easier for residents. This spring, households will receive the compostable liners for their blue food waste bins for free and have new ones delivered with their future regular recycling sack deliveries.

The change has been made following feedback from residents about the cost of liners. It also comes with the ever-pressing need to remove food waste from landfill and spend less money on throwing waste unnecessarily into the ground.

Approximately 10,000 tonnes of food waste was disposed of in black sacks and sent to landfill last year – costing the Council over £1 million.

The issue of free liners has been made possible because the Council secured a £1.635 million grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

In a further bid to boost food waste recycling, the Council will also be delivering new blue food waste bins and kitchen caddies to all residents.

Those who live in flats and are not currently receiving the service will be provided communal food waste facilities as part of the ongoing flats

roll out arrangements. Later in the year the Council, in partnership with its waste collection contractor, Cory Environmental, will be offering cash rewards to incentivise residents to recycle more.

Waste and Recycling Officer Miranda Valenzuela said: “The blue food waste bin scheme is the Council’s solution for diverting biodegradable waste away from landfill.

“Residents’ participation is essential if recycling targets are to be achieved and any future ban on food waste going to landfill is met.’’

Since 2009, the Council has worked with waste and street cleansing contractor Cory Environmental to recruit more than 200 residents as Recycling Champions.

The volunteers are tasked with encouraging people to recycle more waste and have been helping to spread the word about free compostable food waste liners to residents in their neighbourhood.

If you haven’t received your delivery by 12 April then please let the Council know either online at www.southend.gov.uk/foodwaste or by calling 01702 215006.

Outlook p17

7/3/13

09:56

Page 1

BENEFIT PAYMENT CHANGES

set to come into effect

Council Customer Services Manager Lynda Collison gives advice on the changes to the benefits payments system to 21-year-old Southend resident Vicki Mahoney.

C

HANGES to benefit payments administered by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council – part of the Government’s radical overhaul of the welfare system – come into effect from the beginning of April.

Council Tax Benefit is being scrapped and replaced with a Local Council Tax Support scheme (LCTS) while new caps imposed by the Government will restrict Housing Benefit.

The Council is also taking responsibility for Community Care Grants and crisis loans for living expenses – part of the Social Fund Scheme previously overseen by the Department of Work and Pensions. The Council scheme will be called the Essential Living Fund (ELF).

Councillors have decided that only Government money will be used to fund benefits – nothing will come from the Authority’s own budget.

Benefits Manager Veronica Dewsbury said: “This is just the start of a very difficult year for many who are already considered vulnerable.

But the Government ethos is that nobody of working-age should be better off on benefits than those in work.

“Funding has been cut so we have to make some difficult decisions about who gets

Rules relating to SUPPORT SCHEME UNDER Southend’s new Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) scheme detailed above, the following rules will apply: ■ Support for people in Band E, F, G and H properties will be restricted to the maximum paid for a Band D home ■ Working-age claimants, regardless of financial circumstances, will pay the first 25 per cent of their Council Tax liability ■ Only working-age claimants with less than £6,000 capital will be eligible ■ People of working age will no longer receive second adult rebate ■ Existing working-age claimants will automatically get a LCTS discount to save them making a new claim ■ Pensioners are protected and will get the same level of support as before

financial support and how much they get.

“We have consulted widely and listened and have worked closely with other stakeholders to formulate our plans. We acknowledge the difficulties low-income families will be facing with less financial support.

“The Council is determined to do all it can to help people but we do not have a bottomless pit of cash. My message to people facing hardship is not to bury their heads in the sand – they must come and talk to us and we will see what we can do for them.”

Letters have already gone out to claimants affected by the changes. The Council is also offering advice to people who find themselves paying Council Tax for the first time.

For more information including full lists of changes and qualifying criteria go to www.southend.gov.uk/benefit/changes or call Benefit enquiries on 01702 215001.

HOME SIZE

will be key factor SIZE criteria will affect Housing Benefit levels for those living in social rented homes which are bigger than they need. The Council is: ■ Reducing the eligible rent used to calculate benefit entitlement by 14 per cent for those under-occupying by one bedroom; ■ Reducing the eligible rent used to calculate benefit entitlement by 25 per cent for those under-occupying by two or more bedrooms; ■ Offering advice to those affected, such as consider a move, rent out the spare room, consider having family members contribute more or try and get a job; ■ Offering extra help through a Discretionary Housing Payment Fund for those who have to stay in a property adapted to suit their disability or where they have to keep a room spare as they are registered foster carers.

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

‘‘’’

My message to people facing hardship is not to bury their heads in the sand – they must come and talk to us and we will see what we can do for them.

BENEFITS MANAGER VERONICA DEWSBURY

Social aim of THE NEW FUND SOUTHEND’S Essential Living Fund aims to provide: ■ Support for people to resettle in the community after stays in institutions, care homes and hostels or on release from a custodial sentence ■ Support for those affected by emergencies or disasters ■ Furniture, furnishings and household equipment like white goods ■ Help with general living expenses like groceries and toiletries through vouchers for supermarkets or food parcels ■ All Pay cards for use in selected shops. These cards cover fuel costs, clothing and footwear

SPRING 2013 Outlook

17

Outlook p18

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Incorrect plumbing can spoil clean beaches RESIDENTS are being urged to play their part in helping Southend maintain its acclaimed clean coastal bathing waters by preventing water pollution in their homes.

Incorrect plumbing could mean that waste water from dishwashers, washing machines, sinks, baths and even toilets is being flushed into local waterways rather than being channelled to a foul water sewer and onto a treatment works.

The Council has now teamed up with the Environment Agency and Anglian Water to raise awareness about the problem and encourage people to make sure their plumbing is connected correctly.

Water quality has a huge impact on Southend’s beaches and their ability to pick up and maintain prestigious Blue Flag status – a gauge of the highest standards of bathing water quality. Residents are also being warned that in the severest of cases people who do not fix a misconnection could face a fine of up to £20,000.

Councillor Derek Jarvis, Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, said: “Southend is well known for its tourism and millions visit every year. We all have a role to play in ensuring our beaches are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

“Making sure we maintain the good quality beach awards we have benefited from in recent years is crucial, so I urge us all to make these checks and help Southend remain one of the first choice tourism destinations.”

A handy leaflet has been produced to help people check if their existing connections are correct and what to do if plumbing is not in order. It also includes tips on how to minimise water pollution and outlines what should never be disposed of down sinks and toilets.

For more details visit www.connectright.org.uk

18 Outlook SPRING 2013

Council Dementia Project Manager Chris Harris and Essex Volunteering Officer Ray Hardisty at a dementia awareness event at Southend Central Library.

Libraries events raise

dementia awareness S

PECIALIST support has been stepped up to help people with dementia and to raise awareness of the condition.

Early detection and diagnosis is important so that anyone affected is able to get support and treatment so they can live well with dementia.

The Council has been working closely with partner agencies to advise on the range of services available to patients and their carers.

More than a dozen dementia awareness events have taken place in libraries across Southend to complement a specialist webpage on the Council’s website. More awareness sessions are planned for the coming year.

The Council’s Dementia Project Manager Chris Harris said: “Our dementia awareness events in

libraries have proved to be very useful for getting our messages across.

“Many people worry about memory problems and dementia in particular and are reluctant to talk about those worries or seek help. If help is sought at an early stage, early interventions and support can vastly improve the quality of later years living.

“We want people to know that support is out there for anyone who has or thinks they have memory problems, as well as their families and carers.”

Anyone worried about their memory is advised to see their doctor as soon as possible. GPs can order further tests to treat any underlying conditions and make referrals to a specialist memory clinic for further assessment which includes specialist support

workers provided by the Alzheimer’s Society. Community dementia nurses employed by South Essex Partnership Trust are working with GPs to help with the care provided to people living with dementia at home or in a care home.

A Dementia Intensive Support Team works with GPs, Southend University Hospital and other providers to reduce the need for people with dementia to be admitted to hospital unless necessary and supports those who are. Services also include specialist supported housing units to allow people with dementia to remain living in the community.

More information about dementia and support groups in Southend can be found at www.southend.gov.uk/dementia

New Borough Youth Mayor and Deputy elected YOUNG people have chosen a new Youth Mayor for Southend. Megan Sylvester, pictured, has begun her year in office and received her ceremonial chains of office from the Worshipful the Mayor of Southend, Councillor Sally Carr.

The 17-year-old, who attends Shoeburyness High School, said:“I hope to change the way we are viewed and listen to as many people as

possible. I joined the Youth Council because I believe we, as youth, deserve a say and can be heard.” Chris Copley, aged 16, a pupil at Westcliff High School for Boys, has been elected as Megan’s deputy.

A total of 2,712 young people – 20 per cent of the borough’s 11 to 19-year-olds – voted.

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HANDS UP IF YOU GOT THE ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE: Year 7 pupils at Belfairs High School, Leigh-on-Sea, pictured during a classroom road safety presentation from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Safety Education Officer Peter Shipton, inset below.

TOP MARKS for

ROAD SAFETY S

CHOOL CHILDREN are being given expert advice on how to stay safe while crossing or using the Borough’s roads.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has teamed up with the Council’s road safety team to deliver presentations in secondary schools.

The sessions are targetted at Year 7 (11 to 12-year-olds) who tend to start making longer and more independent journeys after moving from primary schools.

The presentations are delivered by qualified officers and include examples of local Essex roads and what potential hazards pedestrians need to look out for. There is also the opportunity for pupils to discuss their individual journeys to and from school and any issues or concerns they may be facing.

Jayne Dando, the Fire Service’s Road Traffic Collision Reduction Manager, said: “We are

targeting Year 7s because 11-year-olds will be heading to secondary schools and may face a longer walk, using different roads. It is important to help children plan for this important step by showing them how to stay safe.”

Research illustrates that young children cannot judge how fast vehicles are going or how far away they are. They are also more likely to die in a road collision than from any other accidental cause.

In fact, the latest Department For Transport figures show that 1,400 children aged 11 or under are killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads every year – almost 27 children every week.

Jayne added: “The presentations help children learn what they need to know. This includes reinforcing the Green Cross Code,

demonstrating where dangers or hazards are in the locality and pointing out the safest route to where they are going.

“Children also need to understand that using their eyes and ears all the time is essential to being safe near traffic. They should avoid distractions such as chatting to friends, using mobiles or listening to MP3s when crossing roads.”

The presentation programme is being piloted in Southend throughout 2013 and has been offered to all schools in the Borough.

Building demolition is a double financial bonus AN ageing multi-storey town centre building which houses Council and South Essex Partnership Trust employees is to be closed at the end of March and then demolished.

The site of Queensway House will make way for a temporary car park with spaces for more than 200 vehicles.

The decision to close the 1960s-built structure will save the Council more than £300,000 a year in ongoing costs and maintenance, while the improved car parking facility will help town centre businesses and generate extra income in the process.

A £1 million project has been approved to demolish the building and the multi storey car

park and then construct the new pay-on-exit car park, set to be completed by 2014.

Meanwhile, staff currently based at Queensway House are in the process of transferring to other council buildings, including the Civic Centre which is able to accommodate extra personnel following its £15 million refurbishment.

This move is part of the Council’s property rationalisation project which is reducing costs and providing a streamlined estate fit for the future.

Alan Richards, the Council Group Manager for Asset Management, said:“Demolition work will begin later in the spring and work to build the

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

car park, which is on target to be completed around April 2014, will begin in the summer.

“As well as saving costs and bringing in some much needed income, taking this action ensures that the town need not suffer another empty office building.

“It also provides a blank canvas for further long-term development on the site as and when the property market recovers and the Council has worked through plans for the site.” ● Details of all Council’s car parks are available at www.southend.gov.uk/carpark

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

Until Sat 30 March GARY LAWRENCE – ONE MAN AND HIS BIRO Beecroft Art Gallery Tue-Sat,10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm.

“It’s a bit like knitting, you have to stick at it for a long time to get the results”– the watch words of Gary Lawrence, 2011 winner of the Jerwood Drawing Prize.The Essex Open regular exhibits his first solo show at the Beecroft.These intricate large scale works take nearly a year to complete and are all executed in economy biro.

Until Sat 30 March MITCH KARUNARATNE – AFTER LONDON Beecroft Art Gallery Tue-Sat 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm.

“My photographic practice sets out to explore the emotional connections between physical environments and human beings.”This series of photographs focuses on the plotland development of Canvey Island.”

10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm.

All the fabulous footwear on display comes from Southend Museum’s collection – you won’t find any designer names, but you will see the historic shoes which continue to influence fashion today.

If you like shoes, you’ll soon be in ‘Shoe Heaven’

Mon-Sat, 18-23 March SOUTHEND ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL FROM SOSAC Eastwood School, 7.30pm.

Tues 19 March SOUTHEND LIBRARIES BOOK FESTIVAL – JENNY ÉCLAIR

Mon-Sat, until 30 March

Southend Central Library,7.30pm-9.30pm.

Comedian,novelist and actor,Jenny Eclair has entertained us in a myriad of shows,appearing in I’m a Celebrity,Get me out of here!,The Apprentice, Loose Women and Celebrity Masterchef to name but a few. Her latest show,Eclairious,is featured across the country,so we are thrilled to host this event with this much loved star.

DAWN MELLOR – ‘WHAT HAPPENED TO HELEN?’

Fri 22 March

Focal Point Gallery Mon-Fri 9am-7pm & Sat 9am-5pm.

For her first major solo project made specifically for a UK regional visual arts institution and her largest exhibition of new work to date, Dawn Mellor has made a series of paintings based on the complex identity of the Southend-raised actress Dame Helen Mirren.

For further information and images on this exhibition please contact Laura Bowen, Focal Point Gallery Exhibition and Marketing Officer: laurabowen@southend.gov.uk or 01702 534108

Tues-Sat, until 29 June SHOE HEAVEN Beecroft Art Gallery & Central Museum,

CONCERT SERIES 2012-13 – LOCRIAN PIANO QUARTET Plaza Centre, 8pm.

The internationally acclaimed pianist Leslie Howard is joined by three members of the Locrian Ensemble in a highly attractive programme of classical and romantic piano quartets.Howard is best known for being the only pianist to have recorded the complete solo piano works of Franz Liszt,a project which included more than 300 premiere recordings.He has been described by The Guardian as “a master of a tradition of pianism in serious danger of dying out”.The Locrian are regular and welcome visitors to Southend,and have performed to great critical acclaim in partnership with Leslie Howard in recent years.

Fri-Sat, 22-23 March LITTLE GRIMLEY’S TROUBLES TRIPLED

Sat 23 March

SOUTHEND LIBRARIES BOOK FESTIVAL WRITER’S WORKSHOP – CLAIRE FREEDMAN AND DEE GORDON Southend Central Library, 10.30am-1pm.

For the workshop we bring two great local talents working in very different fields. Claire Freedman is one of the most successful writers of children’s fiction and knows what is really involved in getting into this competitive market, working with agents and remaining creative when you are often working alone. Dee Gordon, well known for her local history titles, will cover the adult market and will take you through various exercises and discussions to really get you going.

If you can, bring in examples of your work.You will need to choose either the Children’s or Adult Workshop. Individual Tickets: £5

Sun 24 March SOUTHEND BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CHOIRS Crowstone U.R. Church,Westcliff, 7.30pm.

Tue 27 March SOUTHEND LIBRARIES BOOK FESTIVAL – JACK STRAW Southend Central Library,7.30pm-9.30pm Our finale event brings Labour politician and former Lord Chancellor,Jack Straw to talk about his book ‘Last Man Standing’. His Cabinet career extended over 13 years. Often referred to as ‘the decent man of politics’, he worked on the Human Rights Act 1998,prison reform,criminal justice and race relations.

Thurs 28 March-Mon 15 April

Sat 6 April BIG ROCK DAY Central Museum, 10am-4pm.

Flint knapping, panning for gold, tumble stones, gems, identification, displays and rarities in the shop.

Tues-Sat, 9 April-1 June PRITTLEWELL PRINCE RESEARCH UPDATE Central Museum & Planetarium,Tue-Sat 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm.

A chance to catch up on the latest research, view the stunning glass jars from the Prince’s tomb and rediscover our stunning Saxon artefacts.

Watch out for related talks from specialists in their field throughout the exhibition.

Fri 12 April THE SONGMEN Plaza Centre, 8pm.

The Songmen are quickly gaining an enviable reputation as one of the UK’s finest and most versatile acappella groups.They possess a wealth of experience from the worlds of classical, sacred and popular music and balance their love for the old renaissance masters with a passion for exciting contemporary composers through commissioning and performing their own original material.The Council’s concert series operates a scheme whereby Council Club Members can take advantage of reduced priced tickets for all the concerts in the series; membership of the Council Concert Club is just £7 (£6 concessions). All tickets can be ordered online at www.southend.gov.uk/concerts

‘TROTTERS ON SEA’

Saturday 13 April

Southend Pier Cultural Centre See page 6 for full article. Exhibition an additional £1 per person, children under 10 free.

OPEN DAY AT SOUTHEND MARINE ACTIVITIES CENTRE

Sat 30 March

Wed 17 April

EASTER TRAIL

LUNCHTIME RECITAL – PIANIST SAMANTHA WARD

Southchurch Hall, 10am-3pm.

Follow the clues to claim a chocolatey prize, crafts too, fun for all the family.

Youngsters

will get the chance to ‘pan for gold’ during the Big Rock Day at the Central Museum on 6 April.

Sun 31 March, Sat 4 May, Sun 5 May, Mon 6 May, Sun 12 May, Sun 19 May, Sun 26 May, Mon 27 May

SOUTHEND BANDSTAND SUMMER PROGRAMME,

Priory Park 1pm-3pm

Tues-Sat, 6 April-15 June HIVE COLLECTIVE Beecroft Art Gallery,Tue-Sat 10am-1pm & 2pm-

20 Outlook SPRING 2013

This gold and

Pier Cultural Centre, 7.30pm. garnet pendant is one The Little Grimley Amateur Dramatic of the stunning Saxon Society is in trouble; membership has artefacts on display at the dwindled to four, and the audiences Prittlewell Prince Research are even smaller! Running out of Update exhibition being funds, under threat of disbanding and staged at the Central with a rival society setting up down Museum & Planetarium the road, something drastic has to from 9 April to happen. Comedic performance by Madcup 1 June.

Theatre Productions.Tickets are Adult £14, Concession £12. www.visitsouthend.co.uk 5pm. A collection of work from talented artists based at the Hive Artist Studios in Chelmsford.

1pm-5pm. See page 24 for information.

Council Chamber, Civic Centre, 12.15pm-1pm.

Fri 19 April CONCERT SERIES 2012-13 - PIANIST ANTONY PEEBLES Plaza Centre, 8pm.

Sat 20 April SECRET SHOES Beecroft Art Gallery, Sat 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm.

If you love the Shoe Heaven exhibition at Central Museum,don’t miss this chance to see many more with a back stage tour of our store.Booking is essential.Tours run throughout Saturday so call (01702) 434449 to claim your free ticket.

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Eclectic mix of music at the Bandstand

Sun 21 Apr, Sun 19 May JAZZ ON THE PIER Southend Pier Cultural Centre, 12.30pm-3pm A new Sunday lunchtime Jazz Club, organised by Liz Lincoln who also runs the acclaimed annual International Jazz Festival in Southend.Take the 12 noon pier train to be at the Cultural Centre by 12.30pm. All tickets £15.

Mon 22-Sat 27 April BRAZILIAN FESTIVAL

Wed 15 May FREE LUNCHTIME RECITAL – DANIEL & LAURA CURTIS WITH THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK Council Chamber, Civic Centre, 12.15pm-1pm.

Southend Pier BrazilArte will be presenting a series of FREE “come and try...”workshops, promoting and preserving the best parts of Brazilian culture including Samba dance, Brazilian percussion, Frevo dance, Capoeira, and instrument making.

The festival finale will feature an extravaganza of live performances, exhibitions, traditional food, traditional Arts and Crafts and a carnival parade on the Pier on 27 April.

Sat 18 May

Sun 28 April, Sun 16 June

Plaza Centre, 8pm.

English violist Rosalind Ventris and Australian pianist Lara Dodds-Eden began playing together in 2010 and their collaboration has already met with considerable success.They will perform widely across Britain through the Live Music Now and Countess of Munster Recital Schemes.

VISIT THE VULCAN London Southend Airport, 10am-4pm.

Visitors will be able to get a close-up view of Vulcan XL426 and talk to the volunteers who look after her.There will also be the chance to climb inside the Vulcan’s cockpit and see at first-hand the cramped conditions in which XL426’s five-man crew had to work. Our Visit the Vulcan days are a vital part of our on-going fund raising to help preserve Southend’s Vulcan. Small entry fee to be paid on the gate, plus an additional small fee (including children) for cockpit visits. Contact Phil Whalley at phil@avpics.co.uk or 07903154171

Sun 2 May SOUTHEND BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CHOIRS

NIGHT OF THE MUSEUM Central Museum & Planetarium, 6.15pm-9pm.

A behind the scenes glimpse of Museum life with live demonstrations, the Bug Man, free craft and our curators showcasing their favourite artefacts.

Fri 24 May CONCERT SERIES 2012-13 – VIOLIST ROSALIND VENTRIS & PIANIST LARA DODDS EDEN

Every Saturday and Sunday throughout June and July, except 29 & 30 June SOUTHEND BANDSTAND SUMMER PROGRAMME Priory Park, 1pm-3pm.

Resumes in June and July with performances every weekend in including highlights, such as Hadleigh Salvation Army Band, Southend Wind Orchestra, and Essex Concert Band.

Cultural Centre, Pier, 7.30pm.

Wed 12 June

Fri 3-Sun 5 May

FREE LUNCHTIME RECITAL – PIANIST INGRID CUSIDO

FILM FESTIVAL 5th year of this unique festival. Films at various venues. Includes fringe events.

Council Chamber, Civic Centre, 12.15pm-1pm.

Fri 3 May

CONCERT SERIES 2012-13 – ARENSKY CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SOLOISTS

SOUTHEND BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CHOIRS Westcliff High School for Boys, 7.30pm.

Sun 5 May SOUTHEND BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CHOIRS Holy Trinity Church, Southchurch, 7.30pm.

Sun 5-Mon 6 May DISCOVER WILDLIFE Prittlewell Priory, 10am-4pm.

A wonderful voyage of discovery with bird walks, bug safaris, pond dipping, tree walks, quizzes and lots more. A great day out for all the family.

Fri 21 June Plaza Centre, 8pm.

Antony Peebles studied at Trinity College Cambridge and afterwards with the international pianist Peter Katin. He has won numerous awards and prizes during his career, and has performed in 131 different countries ranging from Rwanda, US,Yemen to Trinidad, Thailand and Australia.

Tues-Sat, 6 July-2 Nov BEES Central Museum, 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm.

SOUTHEND Bandstand will resound to the melodies of talented local and Essex-wide musicians during the spring and summer.

A series of live performances are planned at the bandstand, which is situated at Priory Park, between March and September.

Visitors will be able to hear an eclectic mix of music ranging from brass bands, Classical wind orchestras, choirs and pianist Samantha vocal duos to swing and big Ward will perform bands, jazz quartets and a lunchtime recital ukulele players. at the Council Performances run from Chamber on 17 3pm to 5pm on weekend dates April.

Explore the fascinating and people are invited to bring world of bees. blankets, chairs and picnics to enjoy the music. There is some Tues-Sat, 6 July-28 Sept seating provided, and limited 55TH ESSEX OPEN EXHIBITION parking in the park.

Beecroft Art Gallery, 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm.

The series begins on Easter This Royal Academy style exhibition heralds Sunday 31 March when the start of summer.

Thundersley Brass Band will Wed 10 July entertain with a one-off Easter FREE LUNCHTIME RECITAL – SOPRANO performance.

KARA FLORISH The series then runs from Council Chamber, Civic Centre, 12.15pm-1pm.

Saturday, 4 May until Sunday, 29 September, with concerts Fri 12-Sun 14 July every Sunday in May and SHAKESPIER FESTIVAL September and every Saturday Southend Pier Cultural Centre. and Sunday in June, July and A Friday evening a performance of ‘Merry Wives August. There will also be of Windsor’. The Madcap Theatre presents concerts on Bank Holiday ‘Taming of the Shrew’on Saturday evening and a Mondays. matinee performance on Sunday.

Jazz enthusiasts are well Thurs 18-Sun 21 July catered for including COMEDY FESTIVAL performances by Hannah Southend Pier Cultural Centre.

Marsh Jam Jar Jazz in May and Digby Fairweather’s Hot Four For more details on up and on Sunday, 18 August. coming events and ones that For a full line up of events did not make this listing, visit www.southend.gov.uk/ log onto the Council’s events events website at

www.visitsouthend.co.uk.

COUNCIL DIARY ■ Cabinet: Tuesday 19 March, 2pm ■ Children & Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee: Monday 8 April, 6.30pm ■ Community Services and Culture Scrutiny: Tuesday 9 April, 6.30pm ■ Economic and Environmental Scrutiny: Thursday 11 April, 6.30pm ■ Development Control Committee: Wednesday 10 April, 2pm ■ Council: Thursday 18 April 6.30pm

■ Council: Thursday 9 May, 3.30pm ■ Council: Thursday 16 May, 6.30pm ■ Development Control Committee: Wednesday 29 May, 2pm 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/ councilmeetings.

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

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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 (Ind)

Cllr Fay Evans (Con)

Cllr Lesley Salter (Con)

Cllr James Courtenay (Con) 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

14 Eros Avenue, Southend-on-Sea SS2 5LP Tel: 01702 611669 cllrcourtenay@southend.gov.uk

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

CHALKWELL WARD

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

EASTWOOD PARK WARD

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

Cllr Trevor Byford (Con)

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

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

2 Badgers Close, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 0AP Tel: 01702 437274 cllrbyford@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 Judy McMahon (Lab)

Cllr Anne Jones (Lab)

Cllr Alan Crystall (LD)

Cllr Barry Godwin (LD)

Cllr Peter Wexham (LD)

41 Shillingstone, Southend-on-Sea SS3 8BY Tel: 01702 430309 cllrburdett@southend.gov.uk

37A Pleasant Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2HQ Tel: 01702 462489 cllrmcmahon@southend.gov.uk

2 Hastings Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2DR Tel: 01702 460952 cllrannejones@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 212879 cllrgodwin@southend.gov.uk

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

MILTON WARD

PRITTLEWELL WARD

Cllr Dr Maria Caunce (Con) Cllr Julian Ware-Lane (Lab) Cllr Jonathan Garston (Con)

Cllr Mary Betson (LD)

Cllr Mike Grimwade (LD)

Cllr Ric Morgan (Ind)

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

11 Byfield, Eastwood SS9 5TG Tel: 01702 212861 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

37 Nelson Road, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 3HX Tel: 01702 472144 cllrware-lane@southend.gov.uk

22 Outlook SPRING 2013

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

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SHOEBURYNESS WARD

SOUTHCHURCH WARD

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

Cllr Anne Chalk (Ind)

Cllr David Garston (Con)

Cllr Ann Holland (Con)

Cllr Brian Kelly (Con)

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

94 High Street, Shoeburyness SS3 9AS Tel: 01702 295449 cllrchalk@southend.gov.uk

237 Maplin Way North, Southend-on-Sea SS1 3NY Tel: 01702 584278 cllrdgarston@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 Adam Jones (Con)

Cllr Brian Ayling (Ind)

Cllr Sally Carr (Con)

Cllr Paul Van Looy (Ind)

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

23 Mucking Hall Road, Barling Magna SS3 0NH Tel: 01702 216658 cllrjones@southend.gov.uk

108a Ennismore Gardens, Southend-on-Sea SS2 5RB Tel: 01702 461840 cllrayling@southend.gov.uk

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

54 Arlington Road, Southend-on-Sea SS2 4UW Tel: 01702 615658 cllrvanlooy@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 588662 cllrwoodley@southend.gov.uk

85 Rochester Drive, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 0NJ Tel: 01702 212862 cllrborton@southend.gov.uk

41 Vernon Road, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2NG Tel: 01702 212897 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

61 Thorpebay Gardens, Thorpe Bay SS1 3NP Tel: 01702 711299 cllrvelmurugan@southend.gov.uk

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

■ Nigel Holdcroft (Leader) ■ John Lamb (Deputy Leader with special responsibility for Regeneration and Enterprise) ■ Derek Jarvis (Culture and Tourism) ■ James Courtenay (Children and Learning) ■ Lesley Salter (Adult Social Care, Health and Housing) ■ Tony Cox (Public Protection, Waste and Transport) ■ Andrew Moring (Corporate Support Services) ■ Jonathan Garston (Planning) SPRING 2013 Outlook

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Senior jet ski instructor Chris Plappert on the water in front of Southend Pier.

Inset below, the RNLI’s Hovercraft, based at Southend, comes ashore.

e v a W r e w o p ve a h o t Water sports open dayessions action-packed taster s

A

CTION-PACKED water sports are on offer during a free open day on 13 April at Southend Marine Activities Centre.

Taster sessions are being staged from 1pm in everything from sailing, windsurfing and paddlesports to powerboat driving and jet skiing. Southend’s lifeboat is taking part while the RNLI hovercraft will be on the beach alongside stalls, bouncy castles and other demonstrations.

Staff will be on hand to talk to beginners and the more experienced about the full range of disciplines and accompanying shore-based courses taught at the Council’s beachside centre based on the Eastern Esplanade.

Chief Instructor Gary Weeks said: “We provide a fun, exciting and safe environment where everyone is free to learn and develop at their own pace. But our main objective is to give you a great experience on the waves.

“Our team are experts in their field and have a wealth of experience in helping people develop new skills, boost their confidence and gain an appreciation of safety in the water.

“Whether you’re old or young, we want you to discover something

new and fun and something you’ll want to try again.”

For more information about courses go to www.southend marineactivitiescentre.co.uk or call a member of the team on 01702 612770.

Be Best initiative encourages children to follow their dreams HUNDREDS of Southend children are already being inspired by a legacy charity set up in the wake of London 2012.

At least eight Borough primary schools have already signed up for the ‘Be The Best You Can Be’ programme, which encourages young people to follow their dreams and achieve their ambitions.

Set up by Olympic gold medallist Dr David Hemery, his charity 21st Century Legacy wants to engage and empower a

24 Outlook SPRING 2013

generation of young people to excel in whatever area they choose.

The programme is not limited to sport and involves development sessions for teachers and staff followed by launch events with special speakers like Olympians, Paralympians or other high achievers.

Schools then follow their own themes as they work towards a celebration event with unique medallions struck by The

Royal Mint awarded at the end.

Southend’s very own Paralympian Anna Starkey, who starred in the Team GB Goalball team during the London Games, said:“This is a fantastic opportunity to kick start a dream. We each have our own passions in life, so why not dream big! I hope this legacy will inspire people to work at their dream and achieve more.”

To find out more go to www.21stcenturylegacy.com