Outlook Issue 30 Summer 2014

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YOUR OFFICIAL SOUTHEND-ON-SEA BOROUGH COUNCIL MAGAZINE www.southend.gov.uk

YES! WE’VE GOT IT...

£40M LOTTERY boost for families with young children SEE PAGE 5

Here comes summer...

What to do in Southend-on-Sea CENTRE PAGES

Calling all amateur photographers your chance to win some fantastic prizes SEE PAGE 16

ISSUE 30 Summer 2014

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By Councillor RON WOODLEY Leader of the Council

Summer 2014 N E W S & F E AT U R E S Taking the worry away when carers need care . . . . . . . 4

IT is with great pride that I am able to write this column as the new Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

At the recent elections, no one political party or group gained an overall majority and I believe that this indicated that many local people wanted a change of direction.

The Independent, Labour and Liberal Democrat groups have, therefore, formed a joint administration to run the Council and I have been appointed as Leader and will chair the Cabinet.We have produced an agreement that sets out the key policies and areas we will be working on over the next year.This agreement can be viewed on the Council’s website.

We all want the best for the local area and for local people and we hope that this partnership will provide stability during a time of change and challenge.To this end we pledge to be an open and transparent Council.

In our agreement we have made a promise that we will work to provide the best possible services in these times of austerity; promote fairness for all residents and reduce inequality; provide opportunities for economic growth and do everything we can to create a better Southend while making the savings needed because of Government cuts.

The work begins now.We have pledged to review some decisions made by the previous administration – in particular we will look again at the proposals for sea defences at Shoeburyness, review the plans for our branch library services and also review the plans for the services currently provided by Delaware and Priory Care Homes.

We will actively pursue the regeneration of the empty offices in Victoria Avenue, look at how we can create more community facilities in central Southend, provide more affordable and social housing in the Borough, and look at providing an improved pedestrian crossing at Kent Elms.

We have a busy time ahead and an exciting summer to look forward to. I know how hard it can be to fill those long summer holidays and to help, we have included in this edition a suggested list of ten outings in Southend as well as a competition in conjunction with local traders to keep all of the family occupied over the summer. Also for those of you who love photography, we have a fantastic competition to keep you busy.

This magazine can be provided in alternative formats such as Braille, audio or large print.

For a copy of this magazine in another format, or to order more copies, please call 01702 215601 or email outlook@southend.gov.uk.

What a result – £40m Big Lottery funding secured . . . 5 Deuce! Tennis star turns up at mayor-making . . . . . . . 6 Go ‘Crazy for Gershwin’ – free tickets up for grabs . . . 7 Doing the sums – our budget challenges . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Routes to becoming a social worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Enjoy summer in Southend-on-Sea . . . . . . . . . . . 12/13 More independence for vulnerable tenants . . . . . . . . 14

Thumbs-up for waste and recycling services . . . . . . . 15 Diverse culture – enter our great photo contest . . . . 16

CONTENTS

People asked for a change in direction – the work starts now

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

Charlie’s a champion – meet a top Young Carer . . . . 17 Citizen’s Account – doing more online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Secondary schools – exploring all the options . . . . . . . . 19 What’s On Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20/21 Know your Councillors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22/23 Remembering Southend during the Great War . . . . . . . . 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. Further information about the Council, its Councillors and its services can be found on our website www.southend.gov.uk or by emailing council@southend.gov.uk or by calling 01702 215000. You can also access this information through your local library.

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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PROVIDING SUPPORT: Specialist Service Manager Moira Marley talks to a client of the Carers Emergency Respite Scheme.

Cabinet posts are confirmed A NEW joint administration will lead Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

Formal appointments were agreed at Full Council in June, following the establishment of a joint partnership agreement between the Independent Group, the Labour Group and the Liberal Democrat Group.

Cllr Ron Woodley was appointed as the new Leader of the Council. He has selected the leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Ian Gilbert; and leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Graham Longley as Deputy Leaders, as part of a newly-formed Cabinet.

Cllr Martin Terry remains the Independent Group spokesman and takes a place on the Cabinet alongside Cllr Mike Assenheim, Cllr David Norman and Cllr Anne Jones.

Cllr Woodley said:“I am very pleased that we have all been able to unite for the common purpose of serving the people of Southend. I am honoured to take on the role and look forward to working together with all councillors and local people for the good of this great town.”

The full Cabinet positions are as follows: Cllr Ron Woodley (Ind), Leader of the Council and Exec Cllr for Corporate Services.

Cllr Ian Gilbert (Lab), Deputy Leader and Exec Cllr for Community Development.

Cllr Graham Longley (Lib Dem), Deputy Leader and Exec Cllr for Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development.

Cllr Martin Terry (Ind), Exec Cllr for Public Protection, Waste and Transport.

Cllr Mike Assenheim (Ind), Exec Cllr for Regulatory Control.

Cllr Anne Jones (Lab), Exec Cllr for Children and Learning.

Cllr David Norman (Lab), Exec Cllr for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing.

Registering to vote is changing THERE is now a new process for registering to vote. Individual Electoral Registration (IER) has been introduced nationally to help tackle electoral fraud and enable online registration, and means that each individual will be responsible for registering themselves.

Over the summer all Southend residents will receive a letter through the post telling them about the changes and whether they have been automatically transferred to the new register or not.

If you have not been transferred you will need to provide some additional information – and the letter will tell you exactly what you need to do.

New electors will also register via the new process. To register to vote visit: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote If you have not received a letter by the end of August please contact the Council’s Elections Team on 01702 215010.

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Service takes worry away when carers

NEED CARE W

HEN high blood pressure left Maureen needing emergency hospital treatment she had no worries over who would care for her disabled adult son, Malcolm, because she had already signed up to a Council-funded respite service.

Paramedics treating her at home contacted the Carers Emergency Respite Scheme (CERS) and she was able to go in the ambulance safe in the knowledge that Malcolm was being looked after. Under the scheme, Ashley Care in Westcliff-on-Sea provide carers at short notice when people are unable to fulfil their own caring role.

Maureen said: “I heard about CERS when I went to a support group. They mentioned it might be useful so I registered. When I collapsed at home the paramedics asked me if I had support in place for Malcolm and I mentioned CERS to them. They were so good and just got it all sorted out. It gave

me peace of mind. I spent the day in hospital and when I got home, the CERS carer was still there. Their support was excellent. They couldn’t have done more for me. Hopefully I won’t ever need the service again, but it’s a comfort knowing it’s there if I do.”

A total of 162 carers were registered with the scheme in the year prior to March 2014 during which 154 hours of emergency respite care was given. Support of up to 48 hours (72 hours on a Bank Holiday) is provided without charge for people who themselves are giving free, regular and substantial care to an adult who is either frail, has an illness, physical disability, sensory impairment or dementia and lives in Southend-on-Sea. To register, contact Ashley Care by calling 01702 348142 or emailing info@ashleycare.com For more information, visit their website at www.ashleycare.com

Over-55s urged to get involved MORE people aged over 55 are being urged to get involved with Southend Older People’s Assembly – set up in 2007 to make sure their views are heard by the Borough’s movers and shakers.

The group is part of a thriving movement of older people’s organisations across the UK. It aims to raise awareness and provide a platform for debate on issues affecting the over-55s including transport, social

care and leisure to housing, social inclusion and much more.

Membership is free and open to all over 55s living in Southend.The next two meetings at the Civic Centre are scheduled for 3 September and 3 December, both starting at 1.30pm.

For more information about the OPA, email southendopa@yahoo.co.uk or call 07570 414867.

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CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE £40m lottery cash secured

A

ONCE in a generation opportunity to influence the future of thousands of children has been handed to Southend-on-Sea after the area was awarded £40m of Big Lottery funding.

The Pre-school Learning Alliance has been awarded the cash as part of the Big Lottery ‘Fulfilling Lives: A Better Start’ fund. The initiative aims to make a real difference to the lives of families and their young children during the first three years of life.

“Our Children, Our Community, Our Future” will see the delivery of preventative approaches during pregnancy and early childhood to ensure opportunities for personal, social and emotional development, communication, health and nutrition and community resilience over the next 10 years and beyond.

It will support the development of an internationally-recognised centre for excellence, innovation and best practice for early years.

Working with the University of Essex, Anglia Ruskin MedTech Campus, the City Deal Small Business Development Centre, the centre will encourage synergy with business, health, new technology and education.

The Our Children, Our Community, Our Future team also plan to build on their already successful integrated model of staged interventions by further developing the work of

multi-disciplinary teams supporting family and young children; ensuring the effective implementation of the Education, Care and Health plan and providing opportunities for practitioners working with children and families to be part of a community of learning professionals.

The initiative will mean transformational change for the communities of Southend – particularly for families in the six wards of Shoeburyness, West Shoebury, Kursaal, Milton, Westborough and Victoria.

Tia Sabainda, Project Ruby Looker and Coordinator Jane Alina Karaj, at the Youdale said: launch of the “Parents want the Big Lottery bid best for their children last year. and as a society we the most exciting and life know that what happens changing initiative I have in the first three years of life been involved with and we are profoundly affects a child’s future beyond happy at this news.” life chances. After 26 years of Southend-on-Sea Borough working in early years this is by far Council’s Chief Executive, Rob

Fulfilling Lives: A Better Start EVERY year, BIG awards billions of pounds from the National Lottery to community groups and projects which work to improve health, education and the environment.

BIG’s Fulfilling Lives: A Better Start initiative is a new

strategy launched in 2013 to specifically support programmes and enterprises around the country dedicated to the social and emotional development, communication and language development, and nutrition of children from birth to three-years-old.

Opera screenings set to attract big crowds AFTER the huge success of open-air screenings in May and July, Southend-on-Sea is to play host to one further operatic masterclass this autumn.

Guiseppe Verdi’s La Traviata was the first of a trio of screenings relayed live from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London to a big screen outside The Forum in Southend-on-Sea. That was followed by Puccini’s La Boheme.

Elmer Square and The Forum Southend-on-Sea comprise the Borough’s integrated public and academic library and learning hub and as such they were seen as the perfect location for such world-class

Opera lovers at The Forum screening of La Traviata earlier this year.

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

talent to be showcased.

The hub, created in partnership between Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, the University of Essex and South Essex College, is just one of a handful of sites across the country to be specifically chosen to host free screenings as part of BP Big Screens in 2014.

The public are encouraged to come and enjoy the event by bringing their own seats, cushions and even a picnic. Screenings are expected to last around three hours.

Verdi’s Rigoletto can be viewed on 17 September.

More information at: www.roh.org.uk/bpbigscreens

Tinlin, added: “This is a vote of confidence in Southend and will mean that we can make a real sea change for young people and develop new opportunities for children and their families and communities, now and into the future.”

Neil Leitch, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding.

“This decision is testament to the hard work and dedication of the Southend-on-Sea team, the Council and all our local partners who have made this ambitious vision a reality.”

Tris on shortlist for Turner Prize TRIS Vonna-Michell, a Southend-born artist whose work is displayed at the Borough Council’s Focal Point Gallery, has been shortlisted for the Turner Prize 2014.

During 2009 Tris took up a three-month residency at the gallery and now his solo exhibition Postscript II (Berlin) which was shown at Jan Mot, Brussels, has been recognised by one of contemporary art’s most prestigious awards.

Under the Turner Prize criteria, it must be awarded to a British artist, aged under 50, for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work in the 12 months preceding 17 April 2014.

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Southenders

Sue gives Mayor A REAL ADVANTAGE I T really was game, set and match for Southend-on-Sea’s new Mayor, Councillor Chris Walker, as Sue Barker attended his inauguration.

Happy couples and the longest aisle in the world... a marriage made in heaven PEERLESS is the only way to describe Southend Pier now more and more couples are saying I do by choosing it as their special wedding venue.

Eight tied the knot the first year it was licensed for marriage ceremonies and 14 have booked the world’s longest pleasure pier for their big day so far this year.

Because it’s 1.34 miles long, couples arriving at the pier head always have a travel choice to make – do they perform the wedding march for real and walk, or do they get aboard the love train instead and hope they don’t hit the buffers?

Whatever they decide, wedding parties are always well looked after by the Council’s Pier staff – even guests who misread their diaries and turn up a week early for a ceremony, as happened recently.

Among those choosing the Pier for their special day this year was Vicky

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Robinson, above, owner of bridal make-up firm Chic Cheeks, who renewed vows with husband Jeremy before everyone enjoyed a knees-up.

Resort Services Manager, Lynn Jones, said:“Wedding days on the Pier are always really special for us. It’s great for the pictures and reception. If The Royal Pavilion had been open in time, Prince William and Kate might have chosen it for their wedding.

“I know we shouldn’t get emotional but you can guarantee that at least one of my staff will have a little cry – more often than not it’s one of the blokes.”

The only thing the Council can’t organise for the big day is the weather. But Southend-on-Sea is renowned for its sunshine as everyone knows, so a wedding day on the Pier really is a match made in heaven.

For more information, call 01702 618747.

She is President of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and Chris is Treasurer of a local branch, so he played a blinder in further raising the charity’s profile by asking her to come along.

He said: “I was very happy when she said she was able to attend. She’s a lovely lady and does a great job.

Having Sue at the ceremony made it even more special.”

Chris, Southend-on-Sea’s 94th First Citizen, is promising a year of fun and music as he raises money for his official charities – the Muscular

Dystrophy Campaign and The Southend Community Fund.

First elected to the Council in 1997, the Eastwood Park Ward councillor will be assisted in his Mayoral duties by his wife Janet.

“It is an absolute honour to be made the 94th Mayor of the Borough of Southend-on-Sea,” he said. “It is going to be a fun and musical year and the Mayoress and I are promising lots of musical events to help raise funds for my chosen charities.”

For more information on the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign visit www.muscular-dystrophy.org and to find out more about The Southend Community Fund go to www.thesouthendfund.org.uk

Star opens sensory garden TV presenter Angela Rippon officially opened an innovative sensory garden in Southend which aims to help residents living with dementia.

The Walkway to a Longer Life garden, which is based at St Martin’s Residential Care Home in Westcliff-on-Sea, boasts flowers, ornaments and landscaping that stimulate the senses.

It features a figure of eight path that allows visitors to move around the garden taking in the

full complement of sights, sounds and smells.

Angela, who is a national Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador, cut the ribbon to officially open the garden and then met with care home residents who will benefit from it.

Jacqui Lansley, Southend-onSea Borough Council’s Head of Procurement, Commissioning and Housing, said:“We are very proud to have such a wonderful garden in our community.”

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ON YER BIKE! Learning about cycling in Holland WIN S COMPETITION

TUDENTS were given an insight into the highly-developed cycling culture in Holland on a visit organised by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

The trip to a school in the Dutch city of Middleburg was made under the Bike Friendly Cities initiative where a number of European partners join together for regional bicycle-friendly projects to expand and exchange their knowledge of sustainable mobility.

Seven students from Belfairs Academy, the Youth Council and Southend High School for Boys, made the grantsponsored visit to their destination in the province of Zeeland during their half term.

On arrival they were impressed to learn that 1,400 students (more than 90 per cent)

cycle into school every day, considering it a normal part of the lives.

One of the students from Belfairs Academy – where the percentage of students who cycle to school is currently 15 per cent – was so inspired by the cycle tour round Middleburg, organised by their hosts, that he has started cycling as part of his everyday routine.

Bradley Moody, aged 16, was given a second-hand bike from the ReCycle Centre through the Bike Friendly Cities project.

He was also supplied with some Bikeability cycle training and now uses the bike to cycle to school every day, as well as at weekends and during school holidays.

To find out more about Bike Friendly Cities please check out the website at www.bikefriendly cities.eu

Bradley Moody with Josie Cobb, the accredited Bikeability instructor who trained him.

a chance to go

CRAZY FOR GERSHWIN!

OUTLOOK has teamed up with Southend Cliffs Pavilion to give readers the chance to see the concert performance of Crazy for Gershwin!

The venue is playing host to the show on Wednesday 8 October and three pairs of tickets are up for grabs.

Crazy for Gershwin! is a celebration of the acclaimed works of George Gershwin, often regarded as the greatest of the popular music composers and recognised for bringing the jazz style to the piano concerto.

The show will include classic orchestral compositions alongside a selection of show-stopping numbers written in collaboration with his lyricist brother, Ira. The performance from the Gershwin songbook of music, song and dance will include: Rhapsody In Blue, I’ve Got A Crush On You, Someone To Watch Over Me, Oh Lady Be Good!, Fascinatin’ Rhythm, ‘S Wonderful, Strike Up The Band, A Foggy Day (In London Town) and highlights from Porgy and Bess such as Summertime and It Ain’t Necessarily So. To be in with a chance

of winning one of three pairs of tickets, answer the following question: Name one of Southend-on-Sea’s award-winning beaches.

Send your answer on a postcard, with your name, address and daytime telephone number, to: Gershwin Competition, Information and Communications, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ER. Or you can email: outlook@southend.gov. uk. The closing date for entries is 30 September.

For more information about the show, contact the box office on 01702 351135 or go online at www.raymondgubbay .co.uk.

August Bank Holiday 2014

Collection Dates Normal collection day

Revised collection day

Days late

Monday 25th August

Tuesday 26th August

1 day late

Tuesday 26th August

Wednesday 27th August

1 day late

Wednesday 27th August

Thursday 28th August

1 day late

August Bank Holiday

Thursday 28th August

Friday 29th August

1 day late

Friday 29th August

Saturday 30th August

1 day late

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

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So much more to see besides the seaside.

Don’t miss out on what Southend has to offer.

Whatever attractions you’re here to see, Arriva’s hassle-free Southend bus service will get you where you want to go.

There’s no need to worry about parking or petrol, and with our great value multi-journey tickets, you can hop on and off whenever and wherever you like – all day long. It’s even easy to purchase saver tickets, just buy them from your driver.

For more information and enquiries call 0344 800 4411 or visit our website.

Adult £4.20

£7.50*

Child £3.00

*Valid all day for 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children travelling together.

/arrivasouthend @arrivasouthend

arrivabus.co.uk/ southend

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Council has cut spending by over £45m

BUT THERE’S STILL WORK TO BE DONE In the last issue of Outlook we looked at how Southend-on-Sea Borough Council spends your money and where the funding actually comes from.

In this issue we examine the financial challenges the Council faces in delivering services over the next three years.

S

INCE central government began putting the squeeze on local authority spending in 2011/12, Southend has seen the amount it receives in government funding progressively reduced.

Including figures for the current financial year, the Council has had to find savings totalling just over £45m since April 2011 – with another £37.3m in projected savings yet to come between 2015/16 and 2017/18.

“We are only just over halfway through the process of making savings and there is more of the same to come over the next three or four years,” said Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Head of Finance, Joe Chesterton. “What makes things even more difficult is the level of uncertainty over how much we will receive in grant settlement from the government each year.

“We used to get a multi-year grant settlement figure which gave us something to do forward planning with and provided some stability. Now, however, we get a separate grant settlement figure each year which makes forward planning extremely difficult. The goal posts are constantly moving.”

Details of the 2015/16 grant settlement figure will not be known until December – just four months before the start of the new financial year. From what is currently known, however, the Council estimates that it will need to cut its spending by £16.3m in 2015/16, another £10.9m in 2016/17 and £10.1m the year after that.

Joe Chesterton said: “The implications for services are very

20M SAVINGS SO FAR - £45M

PROJECTED SAVINGS - £37.3M

2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

2015/16 2016/17 2017/18

15M

10M

5M

0

hard to predict. So far we have achieved significant savings through efficiency measures like shared services, smarter working in our back office structure and through better use of information technology and more efficient procurement of goods and services.

“We have reshaped and realigned services to provide things in different and more cost-effective ways. As a council we are still winning awards and performing extremely well, and we remain in the top quartile for national performance for a number of the services we provide.

“We plan to continue seeking efficiency savings by moving away from face-to-face contact and making more services available online. That’s not always popular with the public, but it is an effective way of reducing costs and providing more efficient services.”

Other measures aimed at reducing overall costs include looking at what current universal services should be targeted to just those who actually need them.

Those who need and can afford it could be asked to make a bigger

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

contribution to the services they access, while anyone in genuine financial need will continue to get services either free of charge or at a lower cost.

“We are continually seeking external sources of funding and the Pre-School Learning Alliance, in partnership with the Council, has just been awarded £40m of Big Lottery Funding to develop and improve our services for families with very young children,” said Joe. “We are constantly looking at new ways of doing things. We need to protect frontline services although we cannot keep cutting back office services indefinitely. The back office is there for a reason – to support delivery of frontline services.”

So, where will the cuts fall next?

With a new administration in charge after the recent local government elections, Joe said that work is now commencing on looking at options for savings for the challenging three years of budgets ahead.

He added: “Given the extent of the savings we need to make nothing can be ruled in or out at this stage.”

£1.25m cash injection for lagoon project AMBITIOUS plans to create an artificial lagoon on the seafront are to go ahead after the Council secured £1.25m of Coastal Communities funding to increase the area's offer to visitors and residents alike .

The football pitch-sized lagoon at Three Shells Beach will be developed in partnership with Stockvale who own a number of attractions in the area around the Western Esplanade.

Formed by constructing a 120m-long wall using sheet piles, rock-filled baskets and boulders, the lagoon will provide a constant body of water whatever the state of the tide.

Palm trees will be planted around the Three Shells Cafe and a toilet block built at the western end of the beach.

The funding will also be used to help pay for extra watersports equipment at the Council-owned Marine Activities Centre, buoys to mark out safe areas for jet skis and kite surfing, a marine festival planned as the first step towards a permanent Thames Estuary Museum, and new toilet and shower blocks at Leigh Bell Wharf.

Website support for businesses A NEW website designed to assist local businesses looking for advice and access to grants has been launched by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. www.businesssouthend.co.uk aims to serve as a one-stop shop for local companies and individuals who need information about starting a business, funding it and ensuring the business continues to grow. The website is part of a package of initiatives launched by the Council using £1.8m of Regional Growth Fund money secured in November last year.

A total of £1.2 million is currently available to grant aid initiatives aimed at job creation or to safeguard existing jobs. Innovation Vouchers – giving companies access to support and advice from experts at the University of Essex and at Anglia Ruskin University – are also available.

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Do you have a child in year 5? Thinking about the transfer to secondary school? Then read further...

What do you need to do: • Visit information events or open days with your child at as many secondary schools as possible. Look out for adverts in the local press or look on the school websites.

• Access the Secondary Admission Booklet on the website www.southend.gov.uk/admissions or request a hard copy from the School Admissions Team at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. All relevant information and registration dates are available in the booklet.

• Submit an application to the Council expressing your preferences. The admission round is between 1st September and 31st October 2014. Applications can be made online or in hard copy and are coordinated by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

• Look out for your offer on the National Offer Day: 2nd March 2015.

• Respond to your offer.

Reminder: Further details and an admission booklet are available from the first week in July 2014 in hard copy and on www.southend.gov.uk/admissions

If you have a child born between 1st September 2010 and 31st August 2011 he or she is due to start school in September 2015 What do you need to do: • Visit information events or open days with your child at as many primary schools as possible. Look out for adverts in the local press or look on the school websites.

• Access the Primary Admission Booklet on the website www.southend.gov.uk/admissions or request a hard copy from the School Admissions Team at the Council. All relevant information is available in the booklet and on the website. A look up table using your postcode or address details is available on the website for searching your catchment school.

• Submit an application to the Council expressing your preferences.

The admission round is between 15th September 2014 and 15th January 2015. Applications can be made on-line or in hard copy and are coordinated by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

• Look out for your offer on the National Offer Day: 16th April 2015.

• Respond to your offer.

Paper copies of the admission booklets can be requested after 16th September 2014 by contacting the Customer Service Centre: tel: 01702 215 000 email: admissions@southend.gov.uk Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Department for People, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6ER.

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Library transformed into new kind of gallery NEW life is being breathed into the old Southend Central Library after the Council assured its future.

It has undergone an 18-week Clare Hunt transformation to turn part of packs one of the building into the new home the hundreds of boxes of items for for the Beecroft Art Gallery and display at the the Council’s collection of 2,000 new gallery. paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures.

Internal walls have been constructed to hang paintings on and there will be a new dedicated gallery for a costume collection of several thousand pieces dating back to the 17th century.

Star exhibit, On The Stour by John Constable, has been on loan in Spain, but returns in September just as the Beecroft hosts an celebrate the University of Essex’s exhibition from the Essex 50th anniversary and its presence Collection of Art from Latin in Southend-on-Sea.” America (ESCALA).

Photographers meanwhile have It belongs to the University of been hard at work taking pictures Essex and various items will be for an Arts Council funded Apple displayed from 6 September. and Android app – designed to ESCALA Director, Dr Joanne bring the Beecroft collections to life Harwood, said:“The new Beecroft and give visitors much more Art Gallery is a very inspiring venue information about individual items. for art and we feel very lucky to be Clare Hunt, Curatorial Manager for Southend Museums Service, one of the first collections to be said: “Our collection has been invited to exhibit there to help

packed away since the old Beecroft Gallery at Westcliff-on-Sea closed last October.

“But the builders have been busy at our new home which will be a fantastic space. It’s a modern, pristine 70s building so it’s architecturally interesting.

“There’s a lift too which means better access to our collection for people with disability.We’re really excited about the gallery’s future.”

Work starts on road project A £4.7m road scheme that will help improve access for new development, job creation and improve journey time reliability will start this summer, thanks to Department for Transport and council funding.

The A127/B1013 Tesco junction improvement scheme will see additional lanes created on the approaches to the roundabout at the junction of Prince Avenue and Nestuda Way. New traffic signals will also be installed.

Disruption is to be expected from July when utility diversion works start, but the Council and its contractor will be working hard to minimise the impact on businesses, commuters and local people.

Two lanes will be running through the route during peak times, reducing to one lane between 9.30am and 3.30pm. The speed limit will be reduced from 40mph to 30 mph during the works which is due to be completed by March 2015.

A CARING ROLE FOR VICKY Social work is a fulfilling and challenging occupation – and there are various routes to achieving the required qualifications. Vicky Sayer told Outlook about her preparation for the job she believes is the one for her.

V

ICKY Sayer first experienced the fulfilment that comes from caring when she began helping her 79-year-old grandmother who was suffering from the early stages of dementia.

Vicky, aged 29, would go round to her uncle’s house, where her grandma was living, to do her hair and take her for short walks.

It was here that she first developed her caring skills and although she had studied hairdressing at college and tried other jobs, Vicky found she was happiest when she took a post working with adults with Down’s Syndrome and special needs at Cedar Lodge in Southend-on-Sea. Knowing she wanted to look after children or adults as a career but not sure of which angle to pursue, she enrolled on an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Level 3) in Health and Social Care at Southend Adult Community College.

Vicky was able to carry on with her job, being assessed for her course at the residential care home, and going in to college one day a week.

“The course was great and I learned about promoting equality and inclusion in social care, Human Rights legislation, Data Protection and assessment and planning,” she said.

“My next step was to enrol on a three-year Social Studies degree course at the University of

Essex, where I am currently at the end of my second year, on the Southend campus.”

The course, which covers a range of social science disciplines including psychology and sociology, has made Vicky’s mind up that she wants to go into social work.

“While doing my degree I am working as a healthcare assistant at the University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Southend,” she said.

“This is giving me experience of working with older people who have hip fractures. I am gaining skills in reading people’s body language and becoming more compassionate and patient.”

When she has finished her degree course, Vicky plans to take a Masters in Social Work as a first step to becoming a social worker.

“Being with people out in the community and helping with their care package is what really interests me,” she added.

“My qualifications will equip me to specialise in working with adults, making sure they have the right care and the equipment they need so that they can live independently.”

Developing skills and confidence A GROUP of newly-qualified social workers in Southend-on-Sea have successfully completed their first year of on-the-job training under a new scheme.

The Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme has been introduced by the Government to help social workers develop their skills, knowledge and professional confidence.

Open to all newly-qualified social workers in councils and the private and voluntary sectors, ASYE provides new arrivals with access to regular support during their first year of employment.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s 13 successful candidates are the first locally to work with an assessor who

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

supervises them, observes them at work and appraises their progress.

They were awarded certificates marking their achievement at a presentation ceremony at the Park Inn Palace Hotel, Church Road.

The Council’s Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, Anne Jones, said: “This initiative is an excellent way for newly-qualified social workers to have structured support to help them during their first year in the field.

“It guides them through challenges and helps them share concerns with very experienced colleagues.”

ASYE is delivered through the College of Social Work.

SUMMER 2014 Outlook

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Page 1

10 great things to do in Southend this summer!

COME rain or shine, there is always something to do in Southend-on-Sea. ● Take a walk or catch the train down our 1.34-mile pier and enjoy a refreshing drink at The Royal Pavilion. ● Enjoy a picnic in one of our many parks and open spaces. ● Visit The Forum, Southend-on-Sea, either to catch up on some reading or to watch a show on the new big screen outside. ● Have a relaxing day out at one of our seven awardwinning beaches. ● Take a step back in time and see all the amazing wonders our four museums have to offer, at Central Museum, Southchurch Hall, Prittlewell Priory and Southend Pier Museum.

● View the amazing art on show at either of our galleries – Focal Point Gallery and Beecroft Art Gallery (which will open mid-August). ● Listen to a variety of music at the bandstand in Priory Park. ● Shopping – as well as Southend High Street, why not visit The Broadway in Leigh-onSea, Hamlet Court Road in Westcliff-on-Sea, Queen’s Road in central Southend, or The Broadway in Thorpe Bay. ● Enjoy a relaxing swim or work out at one of our many leisure centres and three swimming pools. ● Take the whole family to our Woodland Resource Centre in Belfairs Park and Nature Reserve for a fun-filled day of adventure.

‘SOUTHEND HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER ALL THE FAMILY – IT’S A PERFECT DAY OUT’ Shelley Slater, 60, from Billericay reads a book on Southend promenade.

Brothers Isaac, aged 4 and Blake, aged 3 have fun on Westcliff beach.

HERE COMES SUMMER...

S

UMMER’S here and what better way to spend it than enjoying the sun in Southend-on-Sea.

There’s so much to do for all the family, whether it’s taking in a show on the record-breaking Pier, enjoying an ice cream while relaxing on an award-winning beach, or listening to the strains of live music on the bandstand with a picnic in a scenic park.

And if the weather turns inclement, there are dozens of indoor activities too, including a range of venues to cater for everyone’s tastes – from theatres to museums and leisure centres to fantastic shopping facilities.

Executive Councillor for Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development, Graham Longley, said: “As a resort, Southend-on-Sea has something to offer all the family – it’s a perfect day out not only for visitors, but our residents too. It is also great for overnight stays with a wide selection of local hotels and some new ones to be built in the future. We are very lucky geographically. It means no one is far from an award-winning beach or the sea.”

Garden pool child danger FAMILIES with young children are being urged to be extra vigilant around garden swimming pools and ponds this summer.

According to the European Child Safety Alliance, drowning is the second leading cause of injury or death for children in Europe, with young children more likely to drown in or near their own home.

In a garden pond a child

can drown in as little as two centimetres of water.

The European Child Safety Alliance and RoSPA recommend that swimming pools should be surrounded on all sides by fencing at least 120cm high, with a self-closing, self-latching gate to make them inaccessible to young children without supervision.

For further information visit www.rospa.com/ leisuresafety/watersafety/

12 Outlook SUMMER 2014

You should obey the BBQ rules

COMPETITION

The great news is that Southend’s beaches just keep getting better. All seven have been awarded the prestigious Keep Britain Tidy seaside status – which recognises and rewards beaches in England that achieve the highest standards of beach management and, in the case of bathing beaches, meet mandatory water quality.

Meanwhile, six Southend beaches have been named in the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Beach Guide for 2014, with all beaches recommended as having excellent water quality.

All Southend’s beaches offer something different too, from the chance of a quiet stroll on Shoebury Common to an afternoon building sandcastles on Three Shells Beach.

All have excellent local amenities and on Chalkwell Beach people can rent changing huts from the Council.

Another summer favourite is the Marine Activity Centre on Eastern Esplanade – and watch out for the sailing regatta which takes

Divaani Dayananda, Abeeha Ali and Imole Akinsola, all aged 6, play on Chalkwell Beach.

place off the coast at Leigh. A packed season of activities is also planned for Southend Pier, the world’s longest pleasure pier.

People will once again flock to the Southend

Comedy Festival and Annual Puppet Festival and for the second year running Southend Shakespeare Company will be performing on the Pier as part of the ShakesPier Festival.

The Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre are great indoor venues for a show, while Priory Park plays host to a programme of bandstand music – ideal for a picnic on a sunny afternoon.

For more details on what to do in Southend turn to Outlook’s What’s On Sea guide (pages 20 and 21) or visit www.southend.gov.uk/eventsandleisure

Find those teddies – win a £100 shopping spree

HOW would you like to win a £100 Southend-on-Sea shopping experience?

All you need to do to get your hands on this fantastic prize is to have a sharp eye and be on the look out for – teddy bears! We’ve hidden 20 cuddly teddies in shops and businesses throughout the town centre and on the seafront.

Every teddy has a different name and all you have to do is to spot just FIVE and record their names.

Simply download an entry form

from www.onsouthend.com and fill it in with the names of FIVE of the teddy bears and your own contact details.

Then you simply hand the form in at any of the shops or businesses displaying teddies.

To make it even easier, the entry form will even list the names and locations of all the businesses taking part – so you just need to find the teddy bears and record their names while you're out enjoying the town centre!

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

You can also enter the competition by sending us a direct message on Twitter (@on_Southend), by emailing us directly at hello@southendbid.com or by post to Find Those Teddies, Information and Communications, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ER. The teddies will be on display from 14 June. Deadline for entries is 11 September and a winning entry will be drawn at random on 12 September.

ON lovely summer days people often eat out or barbeque at home, but you should follow simple rules to avoid giving friends and family food poisoning.

Bacteria from meat and unwashed salads can cause serious illness and they grow quickly on foods in warm weather so: ■ Always defrost meat thoroughly and right through before cooking.

■ Keep raw and cooked food apart (at opposite ends) and use separate equipment for each.

■ Don’t put ready to eat food on plates or dishes used for raw food.

■ Carefully dispose of wrappings contaminated by raw food.

■ Wash your hands regularly, especially after touching raw meat or dirty items.

■ Even if the outside is burnt, check that juices in cooked meats run clear and there is not any pinkness in the middle.

■ Keep cold foods cold (in the fridge or use separate cool boxes for

raw and ready to eat foods) and do not let ready to eat foods remain out at air temperature for more than a couple of hours.

Restaurant owners need to follow similar safety rules and Environmental Health staff from Southend-on-Sea Borough Council regularly inspect food shops and restaurants to ensure that public health is being protected.

Food ratings given to the businesses range from zero for urgent improvement necessary, to five for very good. So be sure to choose one of the 73 per cent of eateries in the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council area with a food hygiene rating of three or above this summer.

If eating out you can check food hygiene ratings by visiting ratings.food.gov.uk ■ Shoebury East Beach is the only beach with a designated BBQ area available during the day, this is first come first served. Please make sure to properly extinguish your BBQ before disposing of it.

Top tips for safe fun in the sun ENJOYING the summer sun can be good for health but over-exposure is never a good idea so to stay safe remember to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.

If you have to go out in the heat: ■ Walk or sit in the shade.

■ Apply sunscreen – use plenty and reapply every two hours and after swimming.

■ Wear a hat and light scarf.

■ Avoid extreme physical exertion.

■ Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes.

■ Have plenty of cold drinks, avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks.

■ Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content.

■ Sprinkle water over the skin or clothing,

or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck.

■ Keep an eye on isolated, elderly, ill or very young people and make sure they are able to keep cool.

■ Ensure that babies, children or elderly people are not left alone in stationary cars.

■ Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes – choose brands with CE and British Standard marks.

■ Take extra care if you have fair skin, freckle easily or have suffered sunburn before.

Further information on preventing heat related illness is available from the NHS Choices website: www.nhs.uk/Conditions/ Heat-exhaustion-andheatstroke/Pages/ Prevention.aspx or by calling NHS 111.

SUMMER 2014 Outlook

13

Outlook p12&13

8/7/14

11:09

Page 1

10 great things to do in Southend this summer!

COME rain or shine, there is always something to do in Southend-on-Sea. ● Take a walk or catch the train down our 1.34-mile pier and enjoy a refreshing drink at The Royal Pavilion. ● Enjoy a picnic in one of our many parks and open spaces. ● Visit The Forum, Southend-on-Sea, either to catch up on some reading or to watch a show on the new big screen outside. ● Have a relaxing day out at one of our seven awardwinning beaches. ● Take a step back in time and see all the amazing wonders our four museums have to offer, at Central Museum, Southchurch Hall, Prittlewell Priory and Southend Pier Museum.

● View the amazing art on show at either of our galleries – Focal Point Gallery and Beecroft Art Gallery (which will open mid-August). ● Listen to a variety of music at the bandstand in Priory Park. ● Shopping – as well as Southend High Street, why not visit The Broadway in Leigh-onSea, Hamlet Court Road in Westcliff-on-Sea, Queen’s Road in central Southend, or The Broadway in Thorpe Bay. ● Enjoy a relaxing swim or work out at one of our many leisure centres and three swimming pools. ● Take the whole family to our Woodland Resource Centre in Belfairs Park and Nature Reserve for a fun-filled day of adventure.

‘SOUTHEND HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER ALL THE FAMILY – IT’S A PERFECT DAY OUT’ Shelley Slater, 60, from Billericay reads a book on Southend promenade.

Brothers Isaac, aged 4 and Blake, aged 3 have fun on Westcliff beach.

HERE COMES SUMMER...

S

UMMER’S here and what better way to spend it than enjoying the sun in Southend-on-Sea.

There’s so much to do for all the family, whether it’s taking in a show on the record-breaking Pier, enjoying an ice cream while relaxing on an award-winning beach, or listening to the strains of live music on the bandstand with a picnic in a scenic park.

And if the weather turns inclement, there are dozens of indoor activities too, including a range of venues to cater for everyone’s tastes – from theatres to museums and leisure centres to fantastic shopping facilities.

Executive Councillor for Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development, Graham Longley, said: “As a resort, Southend-on-Sea has something to offer all the family – it’s a perfect day out not only for visitors, but our residents too. It is also great for overnight stays with a wide selection of local hotels and some new ones to be built in the future. We are very lucky geographically. It means no one is far from an award-winning beach or the sea.”

Garden pool child danger FAMILIES with young children are being urged to be extra vigilant around garden swimming pools and ponds this summer.

According to the European Child Safety Alliance, drowning is the second leading cause of injury or death for children in Europe, with young children more likely to drown in or near their own home.

In a garden pond a child

can drown in as little as two centimetres of water.

The European Child Safety Alliance and RoSPA recommend that swimming pools should be surrounded on all sides by fencing at least 120cm high, with a self-closing, self-latching gate to make them inaccessible to young children without supervision.

For further information visit www.rospa.com/ leisuresafety/watersafety/

12 Outlook SUMMER 2014

You should obey the BBQ rules

COMPETITION

The great news is that Southend’s beaches just keep getting better. All seven have been awarded the prestigious Keep Britain Tidy seaside status – which recognises and rewards beaches in England that achieve the highest standards of beach management and, in the case of bathing beaches, meet mandatory water quality.

Meanwhile, six Southend beaches have been named in the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Beach Guide for 2014, with all beaches recommended as having excellent water quality.

All Southend’s beaches offer something different too, from the chance of a quiet stroll on Shoebury Common to an afternoon building sandcastles on Three Shells Beach.

All have excellent local amenities and on Chalkwell Beach people can rent changing huts from the Council.

Another summer favourite is the Marine Activity Centre on Eastern Esplanade – and watch out for the sailing regatta which takes

Divaani Dayananda, Abeeha Ali and Imole Akinsola, all aged 6, play on Chalkwell Beach.

place off the coast at Leigh. A packed season of activities is also planned for Southend Pier, the world’s longest pleasure pier.

People will once again flock to the Southend

Comedy Festival and Annual Puppet Festival and for the second year running Southend Shakespeare Company will be performing on the Pier as part of the ShakesPier Festival.

The Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre are great indoor venues for a show, while Priory Park plays host to a programme of bandstand music – ideal for a picnic on a sunny afternoon.

For more details on what to do in Southend turn to Outlook’s What’s On Sea guide (pages 20 and 21) or visit www.southend.gov.uk/eventsandleisure

Find those teddies – win a £100 shopping spree

HOW would you like to win a £100 Southend-on-Sea shopping experience?

All you need to do to get your hands on this fantastic prize is to have a sharp eye and be on the look out for – teddy bears! We’ve hidden 20 cuddly teddies in shops and businesses throughout the town centre and on the seafront.

Every teddy has a different name and all you have to do is to spot just FIVE and record their names.

Simply download an entry form

from www.onsouthend.com and fill it in with the names of FIVE of the teddy bears and your own contact details.

Then you simply hand the form in at any of the shops or businesses displaying teddies.

To make it even easier, the entry form will even list the names and locations of all the businesses taking part – so you just need to find the teddy bears and record their names while you're out enjoying the town centre!

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

You can also enter the competition by sending us a direct message on Twitter (@on_Southend), by emailing us directly at hello@southendbid.com or by post to Find Those Teddies, Information and Communications, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ER. The teddies will be on display from 14 June. Deadline for entries is 11 September and a winning entry will be drawn at random on 12 September.

ON lovely summer days people often eat out or barbeque at home, but you should follow simple rules to avoid giving friends and family food poisoning.

Bacteria from meat and unwashed salads can cause serious illness and they grow quickly on foods in warm weather so: ■ Always defrost meat thoroughly and right through before cooking.

■ Keep raw and cooked food apart (at opposite ends) and use separate equipment for each.

■ Don’t put ready to eat food on plates or dishes used for raw food.

■ Carefully dispose of wrappings contaminated by raw food.

■ Wash your hands regularly, especially after touching raw meat or dirty items.

■ Even if the outside is burnt, check that juices in cooked meats run clear and there is not any pinkness in the middle.

■ Keep cold foods cold (in the fridge or use separate cool boxes for

raw and ready to eat foods) and do not let ready to eat foods remain out at air temperature for more than a couple of hours.

Restaurant owners need to follow similar safety rules and Environmental Health staff from Southend-on-Sea Borough Council regularly inspect food shops and restaurants to ensure that public health is being protected.

Food ratings given to the businesses range from zero for urgent improvement necessary, to five for very good. So be sure to choose one of the 73 per cent of eateries in the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council area with a food hygiene rating of three or above this summer.

If eating out you can check food hygiene ratings by visiting ratings.food.gov.uk ■ Shoebury East Beach is the only beach with a designated BBQ area available during the day, this is first come first served. Please make sure to properly extinguish your BBQ before disposing of it.

Top tips for safe fun in the sun ENJOYING the summer sun can be good for health but over-exposure is never a good idea so to stay safe remember to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.

If you have to go out in the heat: ■ Walk or sit in the shade.

■ Apply sunscreen – use plenty and reapply every two hours and after swimming.

■ Wear a hat and light scarf.

■ Avoid extreme physical exertion.

■ Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes.

■ Have plenty of cold drinks, avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks.

■ Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content.

■ Sprinkle water over the skin or clothing,

or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck.

■ Keep an eye on isolated, elderly, ill or very young people and make sure they are able to keep cool.

■ Ensure that babies, children or elderly people are not left alone in stationary cars.

■ Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes – choose brands with CE and British Standard marks.

■ Take extra care if you have fair skin, freckle easily or have suffered sunburn before.

Further information on preventing heat related illness is available from the NHS Choices website: www.nhs.uk/Conditions/ Heat-exhaustion-andheatstroke/Pages/ Prevention.aspx or by calling NHS 111.

SUMMER 2014 Outlook

13

Outlook p14

8/7/14

11:17

Page 1

Extra places will meet demand EXPANSION plans for four Southend-on-Sea schools have been unveiled to parents and pupils.

The proposals are to permanently increase primary places in central Southend by 30 places on a year by year basis from September 2015.

The expansion plans are for Hamstel Infant and Junior Schools, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, St Helen’s Catholic Primary School and the Federation of Greenways Schools Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, Anne Jones, said: “The population in central Southend has been rising for five years and the council has been working to meet demand through the use of temporary expansions and raising admission numbers on a temporary basis.

“We are consulting with local parents and residents on plans to extend and permanently increase the admission numbers to these schools.These schools are popular and this move will increase the chances of parents getting their preferred places.”

Appointments now online SOUTHEND-ON-SEA Borough Council’s Registration Service now offers residents the choice of booking appointments online for both birth and death registrations.

New parents can now book their birth registration appointment online via the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council website. No longer will busy mums and dads need to come into the Civic Centre or ring our Customer Service Centre to book an appointment. For families registering a death it will provide an alternative method of booking their appointment, which is quick and easy to do.

A confirmation will be sent to their email address or if they prefer can be printed from the screen.

Customers will still have to attend in person to carry out the registration once an appointment has been made.

More details can be found at www.southend.gov.uk/bmd

14 Outlook SUMMER 2014

TENANTS with learning disabilities have begun moving into new homes built to help them maintain their independence.

The £2 million development of 13 flats and three four-bedroom houses in West Street, and the refurbishment of the nearby St Mary’s almshouses as one-bedroom bungalows, was completed on schedule.

The energy-efficient site of independent properties and shared housing, all with landscaped gardens, has good access to the town centre and travel links.

Former residents of the Council’s decommissioned Saxon Lodge residential care home were among the first to move into their new supported homes.

One resident Michelle Franks, a tenant at the Willows Mews flats, said: “I really like my flat but I will be glad when other people move into theirs because there will be more people around.”

The scheme has been delivered by a partnership of the Council, Genesis Housing Association, building contractor AW Hardy and Affinity Trust, the care and support provider on site.

Councillor David Norman, Executive Councillor for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, said:“I’m very familiar with this area and am delighted to see this much-needed redevelopment completed. I know it will play a huge part in the lives of these people, as well as the regeneration of the area.”

Acting Team Leader for Willows Mews Sarah Cannon, enjoys a cup of tea with West Street resident Michelle.

Southend residents urged to

RECYCLE THE L T R

ESIDENTS were challenged to recycle everything possible and produce no black sack waste for National Recycle Week.

The special Zero Waste Week bid was organised by Southendon-Sea Borough Council and Cory Environmental, to inspire people to think about their black sack waste and to do all they can to reduce it.

Executive Councillor for Public Protection, Waste and Transport Martin Terry, said: “So many people diligently recycle every week, which is terrific. However, this challenge asked residents to think about the waste they are producing, so they start to make

choices which mean they don’t need to dispose of anything in their black sacks.

“This means, for instance, picking items with recyclable packaging – such as plastic or cardboard trays rather than polystyrene. Even if people weren’t able to achieve zero waste, it was interesting to see how much they can slim their waste down by in just one week.

“There are so many opportunities for recycling – there are pink recycling sacks for dry recyclables, blue bins for food waste, clear sacks for textiles and various recycling containers at Southend’s two Household Waste Recycling Centres.

“If we all recycled everything we could, there would be very little black sack waste being sent to landfill – and if people really watch what they buy and make an extra special effort, they may even be able to recycle everything!”

“Last year almost 30,000 tonnes of waste from black sacks was sent to landfill costing the Council more than £3 million.

“Waste buried in landfill biodegrades without oxygen, causing it to release methane, a potent greenhouse gas 21 times stronger than carbon dioxide.

“This is absorbed into the atmosphere contributing to global warming.”

Outlook p15

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11:28

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Survey shows backing for

WASTE SERVICES M

OST Southend-on-Sea residents have given a thumbs-up to the waste and recycling service.

A six-week consultation was held to give people the chance to have their say on the future provision of recycling, waste and street cleaning services.

More than 500 questionnaires were distributed asking whether people were satisfied with the current services and how they viewed the importance of street cleaning.

Other questions covered developing partnerships with other organisations, using volunteers to enhance the service and making the service more efficient. Residents were also asked for their views on potential cost-saving changes to the service.

A total of 515 responses showed that: Most residents are satisfied with the current waste and recycling services.

The services are easy to use and effective.

Residents are satisfied with the range of materials collected for recycling.

Most residents are satisfied with the standard of street cleaning.

People made their views known either by completing the questionnaires in branch libraries, at Leigh Town Council and the Civic Centre in Southend-on-Sea, or online via the Council’s consultation portal.

For more information about the consultation you can send an email to council@southend.gov.uk or call 01702 215006.

LOOKING AFTER THE PLANET: Recycling Champion Bosco DeSouza with a bag for life.

Champion status – it’s in the bag SOUTHEND-on-Sea’s residents are keen to do their bit for recycling – and Bosco DeSouza is one of the greenest.

The support worker for people with learning difficulties is outstanding in his work as a Recycling Champion in his spare time.

He collects empty cans at parties, feeds a garden compost heap with green waste, only cooks what he needs and collects bottles and cans for recycling on his way home.

“The other day on a short walk I collected 12 cans and four bottles,” he said.

Bosco, aged 54, who lives in Westcliff-on-Sea and came to England from Kenya in 1970, takes either a bag for

life, a cloth bag or a rucksack to the shops instead of using new carrier bags.

“Recycling is such an easy way of doing your bit for the environment, helping to preserve resources for future generations,” he said.

“The pink sack and blue bin are really convenient but I also use the recycling litter bins so I can recycle while I am out and about.”

Wherever he goes Bosco spreads the word to others about the importance of looking after the planet.“It’s essential, often people simply haven’t thought about it.”

For more information about Southend’s Recycling Champion volunteer scheme visit www.recyclinginsouthend.org

Pan-Essex bid to end the litter headache SOUTHEND-on-Sea Borough Council is supporting a county-wide campaign to tackle litter. All 14 Essex local authorities are joining forces with three fast food giants to launch the first Pan-Essex Clean Essex Campaign, complete with a Love Essex logo. Supported by Keep Britain

Tidy, RP2 media and The Highways Agency, the authorities will work alongside McDonald’s, KFC and Dominos to raise awareness of litter and the risk of fines for those that offend.

Tell us – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

Members of Southend’s Streets Ahead Team.

Services scoop national awards IDEAS in Motion, the Council’s sustainable transport behaviour change campaign, has been awarded the Municipal Journal (MJ) Award for Behaviour Change 2014, beating off stiff competition from over 50 other local authorities.

The judges commended Ideas in Motion’s community-led approach in delivering personalised travel planning services for local residents, which has already led to a significant uplift in sustainable transport use.

Meanwhile Streets Ahead a joint project working with partners across the Borough to help improve aspirations, health, skills and life chances of people trapped in a spiral of difficulties scooped the MJ Achievement Award for Excellence in Community Engagement.

It is tackling the national Troubled Families agenda, by giving intensive, integrated and targeted support to families to break a long term cycle of need. The aim is to build strong communities by helping develop strong families.

The Council has also become the only authority in the country to achieve the highest level – diamond award – in the Quality Safety Audit from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Meanwhile, The Forum Southend-on-Sea reached the regional finals of the Local Authority Building Control awards for being the best educational building in East Anglia.

More dads required FATHERS are being encouraged to join the Streets Ahead Dads Club at Centre Place in Woodgrange, which has been growing fast since it began meeting in January.

The Saturday club is the third of its kind in the area, with similar schemes running at the Trinity Family Centre and at Summer Court Children’s Centre.

Anthony Tarrant, Streets Ahead Community worker for Kursaal, said: “We simply provide the services here and allow people to come and do as they please.

“There’s no obligation to engage, some people just appreciate the opportunity to spend time with their children.

“The last few months have proved that we give something valuable back to the people that come along.”

For more information contact Anthony at anthonytarrant@southend.gov.uk or call 01702 215000.

SUMMER 2014 Outlook

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Outlook p16

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COMPETITION

Council to renew Purple Flag status as crime falls SOUTHEND-onSea is to continue with a scheme designed to improve the image of town centres at night after seeing a positive response over the past 12 months.

The town signed-up to the Association of Town Centre Management’s (ATCM) Purple Flag scheme in a bid to attract more visitors to it’s pubs, clubs, restaurants and other night-time activities and to ensure a safe environment for those visitors.

Measures introduced under the scheme have included street pastors, the Southend SOS Bus which offers a safe haven to those who may have over-indulged, a Pubwatch scheme and a town link radio system which allows instant exchange of information between pubs, clubs and the police in the event of trouble.

So successful has the initiative been that the latest figures from Essex Police show crime – including antisocial behaviour – has fallen by 5 per cent over the past 12 months in the area covered by Purple Flag.

Community Safety Officer, Chris English, said Southend-on-Sea’s commitment to Purple Flag status represented a conscious decision to encourage quality and well-managed night-time entertainment.

He said:“We want people to come into the Borough at night to enjoy themselves, which is why providing a safe environment is important.

“The better our reputation for providing a good night out in safe surroundings, the more people will come to Southend-on-Sea with the obvious benefits both for the local economy and good publicity for the area.”

Chris added that Southend-on-Sea Borough Council was currently applying to ATCM to renew its Purple Flag status for a further 12 months.

16 Outlook SUMMER 2014

PICTURE THIS... let’s celebrate our diversity H

ERE’S your opportunity to help celebrate Southend’s cultural diversity – and be in with a chance of winning your very own photograph printed onto a canvas and tickets to Sealife Adventure.

Your subjects can be anything you feel speaks to you about cultural diversity and the strength we all gain from being part of that mix.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Executive Councillor for Community Development, Ian Gilbert, said: “People, buildings, Southend has a rich mix of events, food, celebrations, ethnic ethnic communities, all of whom get on well with everybody else and traditions, religious ceremonies – all these things and many more play their own part in making carry their own, individual stories Southend-on-Sea such a great of being part of a wider world and place to live and work. a wider community.”

We think it’s time we celebrated The competition will be in three that cultural diversity – and we categories – under 10s; 10-16 and need your help to do just that through our fantastic photographic over 16’s – with the top 10 images in each category being put competition. on public We want you to go out display. and about across the DIVERSE IMAGES: Borough taking pictures Southend resident of what you think best Wendy Chen takes captures its cultural photographs in diversity.

The Forum.

The difficult task of choosing the top images will be carried out by local professional photographer Paul Tait, a member of the community, and two members of staff from Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

The same team will then face the difficult task of choosing 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place in each category.

Entry to the competition is open to amateur photographers who are residents of Southend-on-Sea. Images submitted to the competition must have been taken within the boundaries of Southend.

There are many ways to enter the competition, including social media and email. Further information and Terms and Conditions can be found at www.southend.gov.uk/ Outlook.

You can also enter by post. Please send your photograph, with your name, address, daytime telephone number, and which category you are entering to Photo Competition, Information and Communications, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ER. Please make sure you keep copies of any images you submit to the competition as we will not be able to return the originals.

The closing date for the competition is Friday 29 August 2014.

Policy suite aims to improve planning process A NEW suite of development management policies for positively managing development in Southend-on-Sea will be submitted this summer.

The proposed planning policy – the Development Management Document – will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for the latest in a series of scrutiny stages that will ensure it is fit for purpose.

Consultation with the public and other stakeholders was carried out before the submission to Government.

The document contains 15 policies that will be used to assess and determine planning applications, and will advise people who are considering development on the nature of proposals that are likely to be considered acceptable.

Executive Councillor for Regulatory Control, Mike Assenheim, said:“This document will replace most of the old 1994 Local Plan policies and provide more up-to-date guidance, and in places flexibility, to assist the process of securing high quality sustainable development to meet the needs of the community.”

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There’s no doubt about it

CHARLIE’S A CHAMPION Y

OUNG Carers Champion Charlie Byrne was just four years old when his life changed forever.

Two of his grandparents died, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and he became much more aware of his mum Jane’s multiple sclerosis.

“I was kind of lost in my own head for a while. I went from a blissful existence to falling apart very quickly,” he said.

Now 17, Charlie supports his dad Ian in caring for his mum as her deteriorating condition means she suffers from extreme fatigue.

He administers her once-weekly injection, reminds her about her tablets and sometimes helps her out of bed.

Charlie’s own condition, which left him needing a wheelchair when he was younger, has

improved tremendously although he still has to attend hospital regularly.

He is planning to go to university now he has completed his A-levels. Passionate about science, he loves music and roadies for local bands in Southend-on-Sea. He also practices martial arts.

One of four Young Carers Champions in the Borough, Charlie said about his caring role: “It’s been part of my life as long as I can remember so it’s not a case of coping. It’s just my life. I get great support from my family and friends and through the Council’s support groups, I’ve made friends with people who I’ll be inseparable from for the rest of my life.

“I have no resentment. I really think what I do has had a positive impact on my life so I’m thankful.”

As well as helping to care for his mum, Charlie is passionate about music.

Support for young carers SUPPORT for young carers through schools and colleges in the Borough continues to grow and, with the help of the Young Carers Champions scheme, more are being recognised and supported in education with the launch of two new initiatives: ■ A homework club for 14 to 16-year-olds now takes place at South Essex College of Further and Higher Education on a Thursday evening. For more information call Marko or Hayley on 01702 220568/220441 or Young Carers Worker Brenda Lewis on 07789 943430.

■ Maths Angels is a virtual classroom set up by Southend High School for Girls, which offers support to learners studying Maths.Young carers can access the classroom between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on Tuesdays at Shoeburyness Youth Centre (SYC).

Mum Danielle Eyles follows best practice by putting baby CJ on his back to sleep with his feet at the foot of his cot.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council run three groups for young carers where they can have time away from their caring roles as well as take part in activities and feel supported.

SYCandMore (Sycamore Club) is for the youngest carers aged five to eight, COOL (Caring Over Our Lives) is for eight to 12-year-olds while CHIL(Carers Have Independent Lives) is for the 13 to 18 year-old age group.

■ For more information about any of these clubs please contact Brenda Lewis, the Young Carers Youth Worker, on 07789 943430.

■ For more information and to see what the Council’s Young Carers Champions are up to, visit www.makewav.es/ycif – a website supported by The Children’s Society.

■ For more information on young carers, visit www.southend.gov.uk/ youngcarers

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

Hushabye baby... making sure your child sleeps safe NEW parents across the Borough are getting the very latest safe sleeping advice for their babies as health visitors now talk them through a specially produced information leaflet.

The advice offered is particularly important in the summer months when families may be going on holiday, whose babies may not be sleeping in their usual places and when the weather is hotter. An awareness campaign launched by the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board already highlights the risks of co-sleeping.

Parents are advised not to sleep in an armchair, sofa or bed with their baby, and should never do so if they smoke, drink, take drugs, or if baby was born prematurely or was of low birth weight.

Babies should not be allowed

to get too hot and their heads should not be covered while they are sleeping.

Best practice is to always place babies on their backs to sleep with their feet at the foot of a cot or Moses basket, which should be in the same room as mum and dad for the first six months.

It is best to use a firm, flat and waterproof mattress in good condition.

Mums are advised to breastfeed if they are able to and parents should keep their babies smoke-free – both during pregnancy and after the birth.

The advice, printed on easy-read cards handed out to families by health professionals in Southend-on-Sea, covers nap time as well as night-time sleeping.

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SIGN UP – AVOID THE WAIT D

O you know about Southend’s quick and easy way of staying on top of your Council-related finances?

By signing up to a new service called My Southend on the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council website, people can gain access to viewing their payment details online through a Citizen’s Account.

So sign up for the online service and avoid the waiting – keeping in

touch with your finances has never been easier. My Southend, a round-the-clock service, has been introduced because out of the half a million phone calls received annually by the local authority, 38 per cent relate to questions about Council Tax or Housing Benefit.

With My Southend “open all hours” visitors to the site can obtain details of their bills, payments, benefits and rent at any time of the day or night.

Citizen’s Accounts, which are linked to the existing online payment system, are secure and personalised to each account holder.

They contain the very latest information such as people’s Council Tax due date and the benefits they are receiving.

Ellen Butler, Group Manager for Customer Services at Southend-on-Sea Borough

“”

Our message to residents is that My Southend is now live, it’s personal to you and it can save you time.

Council, said: “Our message to residents is that My Southend is now live, it’s personal to you and it can save you time.”

Meanwhile people are being reminded that they can do a variety of things online 24/7, via the Council’s online services. You can make payments and applications for various services as well as make reports.

Local resident Sisa Dube accesses the My Southend site.

Council supports scheme to improve understanding of dementia A NEW campaign to help people develop an understanding of dementia and assist people in their community who are living with the disease is being supported by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

Dementia Friends has been launched by Public Health England and the Alzheimer’s Society. It is encouraging people in the Borough to help by watching an interactive video online to increase their understanding.

There are currently more than 665,000 people in England who have dementia while an estimated 21 million people in England have a close friend or family member with dementia.

In Southend-on-Sea alone, it is thought

18 Outlook SUMMER 2014

that more than 3,000 people will be diagnosed with the disease over the next 12 months.

Simon Leftley, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Corporate Director for People – who is a Dementia Friend himself – said:“It is only by personally understanding the issues people living with dementia face, that we can fully appreciate the challenges they

have to overcome on a day-to-day basis.”

For further information on the campaign and how to become a Dementia Friend visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk Meanwhile, a series of Dementia Cafés have been set up in Southend-on-Sea by the Alzheimer’s Society. They will help people with dementia and their carers get information, advice and talk in a safe, comfortable and supportive environment.

They will operate at St Peter’s Church Hall, Eastwood Road North on 5 August, The Balmoral Centre, Salisbury Avenue on 12 August and Shoeburyness and Thorpe Bay Baptist Church on 19 August.

For further information call 01702 345156 or 01702 343121.

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Seven point education pledge aims to

EXPLORE ALL OPTIONS A

SEVEN Point Pledge drawn up by councillors in Southend-on-Sea sets out firm measures to improve children’s access to a good school while raising parents’ awareness of the options available.

The action plan signals the intention to intervene in schools where pupil progress, teaching and leadership have fallen below the required level.

The pledge also includes the expectation that school leaders at every Southend primary school should encourage promising Year 5 children to take the 11-plus examination.

The overall aim of the action plan is to ensure every youngster has access to the most appropriate secondary education while maximising the uptake of grammar school places.

The action plan was launched by a cross-party group of councillors in a bid to reverse the current trend in falling numbers of pupils taking and passing the 11-plus.

During five months of fact-finding they talked to 16

primary school headteachers, the heads of the town’s four grammar schools, more than 10 school governors, the Youth Mayor and members of the Youth Council.

At the centre of the pledge is a determination to ensure that parents, carers and children are fully informed about secondary school options.

Primary school governors

would be encouraged to target Pupil Premium funding to further support vulnerable children and families, while primary schools would be asked to monitor trends in secondary school applications.

The Council would liaise with the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex to monitor grammar school applications and admissions.

Year 5 parents and carers – your FAQs ■ How do I find out more about the secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea? Information about each school and the application process is at www.southend.gov.uk/admissions ■ When can I apply for my child’s secondary school and if I apply early will I be more likely to get my ‘first’ choice?

The online secondary school application form will be on www.southend.gov.uk/admissions from 1 September 2014 and the closing date is 31 October 2014.

Paper application forms will also be available. School places are NOT offered on a ‘first come first served’ basis.

■ Can my child attend any school?

Every school has their own set of admission criteria.

This information is listed in the

information booklet you received in July.

■ If I want my child to take the 11-plus test how do I do this?

Your child’s primary school will be able to advise you about the 11-plus test and will provide you with relevant information about the entry process.

■ Do I have to pay to go to any of the Southend schools?

No, all school places for these schools are free.

■ Can my child still have free school meals at secondary school?

Yes. It is easy to apply either in person at the school or using our online service at www.southend.gov.uk/fsm If you are eligible for free school meals you will save between £10 and £15 per week.

■ Will the Council pay the transport costs of getting my child to school?

Parents are responsible for ensuring their child gets to school and the majority walk, cycle or use public transport. In a few cases transport may be provided using specific criteria on distance and/or specific benefits.

Full details can be found at www.southend.gov.uk/admissions

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

■ What if my child has a statement of special educational need?

Parents will receive information from the special educational needs team in September 2014 and do not need to complete the standard application form.

■ When and how will I find out my child has a secondary school place?

Parents/carers will be informed on 2 March 2015 via email or first class post of the school place that their child is being offered.

■ Where can I find out about school uniform?

All of the schools have uniform suppliers listed on their website.

If you do not have internet access then contact the school directly.

Let’s make our town the healthiest in England THE health of people in Southend-on-Sea is to be boosted after Southend-on-Sea Borough Council signed up to the National Public Health Responsibility Deal – which will encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Not happy to settle for a generic plan, the Council has established its own local responsibility deal that will provide support for local businesses and organisations as part of plans to become one of England’s healthiest towns by 2020.

It’s estimated that ill-health among the working-age population costs the UK £100bn a year and, therefore, local authorities across the UK are encouraged to follow the Borough’s example.

To date more than 30 organisations in Southend-on-Sea have signed up to help people improve their diet, general wellbeing and encourage physical activity. The Council aims to have more than 200 organisations signed up by 2016.

James Williams, Head of Health Development at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: “This initiative is a key element of work the Council is doing to reduce the impact of ill-health in the Borough.

“The Council is aware of the health and economic benefits that can be gained by encouraging people to take control of their health. We urge local organisations to sign up to the deal and become part of the movement.”

More information at www.southend.gov.uk/ responsibilitydeal

■ How do I contact the team who are responsible for school admissions at the Council?

The School Admissions Team on 01702 215007 will be able to answer your enquiries. You can contact the team by email at admissions@southend.gov.uk or by writing to The School Admissions Team, Southend -on-Sea Borough Council, Department for People, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ER.

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What’s On Sea For the younger generation who want some guidance on technique and getting the most out of their photography. £30

■ Southend Events www.southend.gov.uk/events

■ Sun 27 July

SUNDAY JAZZ CLUB – GUITAR GALAXY

Meet at the Belfairs Woodland Centre to join Ashley on a walk through the Belfairs reserve and hear about the conservation work being undertaken to promote butterflies in this area.

We would hope to see a variety of woodland species. Ideal for age 10 upwards. £5 per person.

■ Southend Museums www.southendmuseums.co.uk or call 01702 434449 For Southchurch Hall please call 01702 467671

Royal Pavilion, Southend Pier, 12.30pm. Price £15 to include Pier train.

■ Sat 9 Aug

CONTACT DETAILS

■ Belfairs Park & Nature Reserve www.facebook.com/EWT Belfairs or call 01702 477467.

Booking is essential for all events ■ The Forum Southend-on-Sea www.theforumsouthend.co.uk

■ Sun 27 July

LEIGH-ON-SEA MARITIME FESTIVAL Old Leigh, 11am-4pm During the day visitors have the chance to see working fishing boats which will be moored from the wharves together with Endeavour, the restored Dunkirk ‘little ship’which rescued allied forces during the Second World War and is now used for community and educational purposes.

Other traditional maritime events will be occurring.

CLUED UP

All Museums The return of this ever-popular treasure trail around the museum branches. Solve the clues and win a prize!

■ Every Wed from 23 July

to 27 Aug

GREEN BUNCH – YOUNG CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 10am-3pm If you’re aged 11-16 years old then come along to Green Bunch.You can take part in practical conservation work to help manage Belfairs Park and Woodland. Free.

■ Every Thu from 24 July to 28 Aug

FUN THURSDAY

Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 2pm-4pm A fun day for children aged up to 7. Children must be accompanied by an adult. £5 per child.

■ Thu 24 July, Mon 4 Aug-Thu 7 Aug

REVEALING THE SECRETS OF THE LONDON SHIPWRECK

Southend Pier Be present as finds are lifted from the seabed by marine archaeologists before being transferred for research and conservation.

■ Sat 26 July

YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER WORKSHOP Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park Photography Workshops with James Porter, a local photographer who specialises in marine and natural history. A workshop designed for the young photographer.

Age 8+.

20 Outlook SUMMER 2014

Beecroft Gallery The reopened and relocated Beecroft shows works from its collection.

■ Sat 9 Aug

THE GREAT PIER SWIM

■ Every Wed from 30 July

Chalkwell Beach, 11am This exciting swim is back for its seventh year and remains as one of the most unique sea swims in the UK.This iconic route will see you swim directly through the structure of the world’s longest pier.

WEDNESDAY WORKSHOPS

■ Sat 9 Aug

to 27 Aug

■ Until Sun 31 Aug

WORKS FROM THE BEECROFT GALLERY COLLECTION

Central Museum and Planetarium, 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm See and handle some of the museum’s historical objects and artefacts.

With the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer, ‘Southend Gets Going for Glasgow’ offers a range of health, sport and fitness opportunities for people to enjoy.

The idea is to encourage people to try a sport or an activity, so they want to continue taking part after the summer.

There will be variety of activities at different locations for people to participate in, with all equipment provided. For more information on these events and other sporting events such as, The Biz, please visit www.southend.gov.uk/ summersports

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVE SHIELDS Beecroft Gallery Photographs of football stadiums from around the world.

■ Sat 16 Aug

■ Fri 1 Aug – Sun 3 Aug

■ Sat 9 Aug-Sat 20 Dec

■ Sun 17 Aug, Sun 7 Sep,

Southend Pier, 11am-5pm A weekend for the young and the young at heart, with traditional Punch & Judy shows, Mrs Back to Front, Professor Joe and many more.

Beecroft Gallery See swimwear from the Beecroft Gallery costume collection.

FAMILY SUNDAY

■ Sat 2 Aug

TREE IDENTIFICATION WALK

ANNUAL PUPPET FESTIVAL

WORLD WAR ONE EXHIBITION

BEAUTY AND THE BEACH

■ Sun 10 Aug

MEET THE TUDORS

Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 10am-1pm Join our Woodland Ranger Ashley for a walk through the reserve to spot and identify trees.

Come and spend a few hours identifying some old favourites and some you may not have seen before. Ideal for age 12 upwards. £5 per person.

Southchurch Hall Museum A chance to find out more about Tudor life.

■ Sun 10 Aug

Central Museum and Planetarium Find out about Southend during WW1, from hospital to Zeppelin raids.

■ Sun 3 Aug

■ Tue 5 Aug, Tue 12 Aug,

Tue 26 Aug, Tue 28 Aug

TREE-MENDOUS TUESDAY Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 10am-3pm A drop-off event for 8-13 years. Prepare to be amazed.We will be outside so please dress appropriately. £10 per child.

SUNDAY JAZZ CLUB – DIXIELAND JAMBOREE Royal Pavilion, Southend Pier, 3pm-5pm Price £15 to include Pier train.

SOUTHEND CARNIVAL PARADE Southend Seafront, 7.45pm-11pm

Sun 19 Oct, Sun 9 Nov

Belfairs Park & Nature Reserve, 1pm-3pm Nothing to do on Sunday? Bored by the end of the weekend? Then come and enjoy the stunning woodlands at Belfairs.There will be wildlife themed activities, trails, games and crafts. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Donation: £5 per child.

■ Wed 20 Aug

TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC Southchurch Hall, 10am-3pm Bring your teddy and a picnic and have fun at Southchurch Hall with our teddy bear trail and fun craft activities. Admission: £2.50 per child.

■ Sat 9 Aug

SUMMER BUTTERFLIES WALK Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 11am-2pm

VISIT THE VULCAN: Get the chance to see the iconic aircraft at Southend Airport.

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A GUIDE TO KEY SUMMER EVENTS IN SOUTHEND

■ Sat 23 Aug

MUSIC DAY

Southchurch Hall Museum.

■ Sun 24 Aug, Sun 21 Sep

VULCAN OPEN DAYS

Southend Airport, 10am-4pm It’s only £3 to visit the Vulcan at Southend with just £2.50 for a cockpit tour.

■ Sun 24 Aug – Mon 25 Aug

BARGE MATCH EXHIBITION

The Royal Pavilion, Southend Pier.

■ Wed 27 Aug

OWL EVENING

Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 7pm-9pm Join Phil Eckett from local owl conservation project Owlwise. Phil has been working with owls for many years and is a fount of knowledge!

A great night for all ages. £6 per person.

■ Sun 31 Aug

YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER WORKSHOP Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park Photography Workshops with James Porter, a local photographer who specialises in marine and natural history.Young photographer. Age 8+ For the younger generation who want some guidance on technique and getting the most out of their photography. £30 ■ Thur 4 Sept

CHARITY COFFEE MORNING St. Ceeds Church Hall, Bridgewater Drive, 10:30am-3pm Join us for a good cup of coffee and a slice of delicious cake in aid of raising money for The Woodland Trust and Streets Ahead Youth Club.

Free entry.

■ Sat 6 Sep

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP – STEP 3 ADVANCED Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park Step 3. Advance. Confident in your photography? looking to fine tune your skills and focus deeper on ideas and visual narrative? £30 ■ Sat 13 Sep – Sun 14 Sep

LEIGH REGATTA Old Leigh

Woodland Centre to join Ashley on a walk through the Belfairs reserve and hear about the conservation work being undertaken to promote and conserve these wonderful animals. Ideal for age 5 upwards. £5 per person ■ Sat 20 Sep

WILDFLOWER ID & SURVEY SKILLS Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 10am-3pm Join local botanist Tim Pyner for a one day course on wildflower identification in Belfairs Wood.Tim has been surveying the woods for over 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge.He will cover flowers,families and survey methods before we practice our skills.£20 per person.

MONASTIC LIFE

Prittlewell Priory, 10am-1pm A workshop for adults looking at the many fascinating aspects of monastic life Tickets: £10 – booking is essential.

■ Wed 17 Sep

RIGOLETTO

The Forum, Southend-on-Sea, 7.30pm The corruption of innocence is at the heart of David McVicar’s production of Verdi’s potent tragedy.This magnificent performance is being screened live straight from the stage of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden as part of the Royal Opera House’s BP Big Screen programme. Free.

■ Thu 18 Sep

EVENING BAT WALK Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 7pm-9pm Meet at the Belfairs

AND ALL THAT JAZZ...

■ Sun 21 Sep

SUMMER JAZZ ON THE PIER – SUMMER FINALE

SOUTHEND Bandstand is hosting a variety of performances this summer, including Rayleigh Brass, Tequila Swing, and Essex Concert Band. Performances are from 3pm-5pm.

Please note that parking in Priory Park is limited.

The Royal Pavilion, Southend Pier, 12.30pm Price £15 to include Pier train.

■ Sat 27 Sep

■ Sat 26 Jul – Sun 27 Jul ■ Sat 2 Aug – Sun 3 Aug ■ Sat 9 Aug – Sun 10 Aug ■ Sat 16 Aug – Sun 17 Aug ■ Sat 23 Aug – Sun 24 Aug

GREEN BUNCH – YOUNG CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 10am-3pm If you’re aged 11-16 then come along to Green Bunch.You can take part in practical conservation work to help manage Belfairs Park and Woodland. Free.

■ Sun 28 Sep

SEED SEASON

Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 2pm-4pm Explore the wonderful world of seeds! An afternoon event for all the family.We will be collecting and learning about seeds with everyone planting something they can take home and nurture. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Donation: £5 per child.

■ Sun 28 Sep

CLASSIC CARS ON SEA Southend Seafront Owners of these icons of historic car design and many other marques are gearing up for the first in a series of classic vehicle breakfast events.

■ Every Saturday from

4 Oct – 8 Nov

SATURDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS DISPLAY Southend Seafront, 7.30pm

■ Sat 13 Sep

Bandstand highlights

■ Sun 12 Oct

AUTUMN COLOUR WALK Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 10am-12pm

Meet at the Belfairs Woodland Centre to join Ashley on a walk through the Belfairs reserve and admire the wonderful autumn colours of over 30 different tree species here in the woods.

A two-mile walk with no age limit – ideal for families. £5 per person.

■ Sat 18 Oct

EMBROIDERY FOR BEGINNERS Prittlewell Priory, 10am-1pm Learn how to embroider, including stitches for beginners. Start to create your own masterpiece.

Tickets: £12 including materials.

■ Sat 18 Oct

ENERGY EXPERT Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 10am-12pm All About Energy! Join Jo Loman as we look at how energy is made and what we can do to save it. £5 per person.

■ Wed 29 Oct

Mon 25 Aug Sun 7 Sept Sun 14 Sept Sun 21 Sept Sun 28 Sept

If you’re aged 11-16 then come along to Green Bunch.You can take part in practical conservation work to help manage Belfairs Park and Woodland. Free.

■ Thu 30 Oct

FUN THURSDAY

Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 2pm-4pm A fun day for children aged up to 7. Children must be accompanied by an adult. £5 per child.

■ Fri 31 Oct

HORRENDOUS HALLOWE’EN Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 10am-3pm Horrible Hallowe’en crafts. An all-day event for all the family. Join us to try some Hallowe’en crafts. A small donation per craft is requested.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free.

■ Fri 31 Oct

HALLOWE’EN

GREEN BUNCH – YOUNG CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS

Southchurch Hall Museum

Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 10am-3pm

PUMPKIN PARADE

COUNCIL DIARY ■ Development Control: Wednesday 6 August, 2pm ■ Health & Wellbeing Board: Wednesday 3 September, 4pm ■ Development Control: Wednesday 10 September, 2pm ■ Cabinet: Tuesday 23 September, 2pm ■ Audit Committee: Wednesday 24 September, 6.30pm ■ Development Control: Wednesday 8 October, 2pm

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

■ Full Council: Thursday 23 October, 6.30pm ■ Development Control: Wednesday 12 November, 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.

■ Fri 31 Oct

Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 4pm-6pm A Hallowe’en Trail. £6 per child.

■ Sat 1 Nov

FUNGI WALK

Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park, 10am-1pm Meet at the Woodland Centre to join Ashley on a walk through the reserve for an introduction to the common fungi of Belfairs woods.This is an outdoor event and appropriate clothing should be worn. £5 per person.

■ Sat 8 Nov

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP – STEP 1 BASICS Belfairs Woodland Centre, Belfairs Park Workshop: Step 1. Basics. Feel like a novice?

Have a passion for image making or stuck in auto-mode and want to learn the foundations with confidence? £30.

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To find out which Ward you are in please visit www.southend.gov.uk/whereilive

The Council 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 Maureen Butler (Con) Cllr Lesley Salter (Con)

Cllr James Courtenay (Con) Cllr Graham Longley (LD)

Cllr Floyd Waterworth (UKIP)

16 Woodside, Belfairs, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4QU Tel: 01702 527747 cllraylen@southend.gov.uk

33 The Fairway, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4QN Tel: 01702 510016 cllrbutler@southend.gov.uk

24 Surbiton Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 4NS Tel: 01702 611669 cllrcourtenay@southend.gov.uk

50a Eastwood Rise, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 5BT Tel: 01702 215000 cllrwaterworth@southend.gov.uk

4 Chadwick Road, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 8LS Tel: 01702 432364 cllrsalter@southend.gov.uk

CHALKWELL WARD

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

EASTWOOD PARK WARD

Cllr Nigel Folkard (Con)

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

Cllr Trevor Byford (Con)

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

25 Hayes Barton, Thorpe Bay SS1 3TS Tel: 01702 215000 cllrfolkard@southend.gov.uk

6 Leas Gardens, Southend-on-Sea SS0 8JL Tel: 01702 478354 cllrhabermel@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

68 Thorpe Hall Avenue, Thorpe Bay SS1 3AU Tel: 01702 584580 cllritrobertson@southend.gov.uk

KURSAAL WARD

256 Rayleigh Road, Eastwood SS9 5XL Tel: 01702 528027 cllrwalker@southend.gov.uk

LEIGH WARD

Cllr Lawrence Davies (UKIP) Cllr Anne Jones (Lab)

Cllr Judy McMahon (Lab)

Cllr Alan Crystall (LD)

Cllr Carole Mulroney (LD) Cllr Peter Wexham (LD)

13 Beresford Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2TW Tel: 01702 215000 cllrdavies@southend.gov.uk

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

16 Cliff Parade, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1AS Tel: 01702 474047 cllrcrystall@southend.gov.uk

83 Southsea Avenue, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2BH Tel: 01702 475117 cllrmulroney@southend.gov.uk

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

MILTON WARD

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

PRITTLEWELL WARD

Cllr Jonathan Garston (Con) Cllr Cheryl Nevin (Lab)

Cllr Julian Ware-Lane (Lab)

Cllr Mary Betson (LD)

Cllr Tino Callaghan (UKIP) Cllr Ric Morgan (Ind)

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

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

11 Byfield, Eastwood SS9 5TG Tel: 01702 212861 cllrbetson@southend.gov.uk

13 Robert Leonard Ind, Stock Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS2 5GD Tel: 07866 888588 cllrcallaghan@southend.gov.uk

143 Flemming Crescent, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4HT Tel: 01702 619868 cllrnevin@southend.gov.uk

22 Outlook SUMMER 2014

5 Hobleythick Lane, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 0RP Tel: 01702 432361 cllrmorgan@southend.gov.uk

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SHOEBURYNESS WARD

SOUTHCHURCH WARD

Cllr Mike Assenheim (Ind) Cllr Anne Chalk (Ind)

Cllr Nick Ward (Ind)

Cllr David Garston (Con)

Cllr Ann Holland (Con)

Cllr Derek Kenyon (Ind)

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

189 Eastern Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea SS1 3AA Tel: 01702 215000 cllrward@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

25 Ladram Road, Thorpe Bay SS1 3PX Tel: 01702 582017 cllrkenyon@southend.gov.uk

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

ST LAURENCE WARD

ST LUKES WARD

Cllr Lee Burling (UKIP)

Cllr Mark Flewitt (Con)

Cllr Adam Jones (Con)

Cllr Brian Ayling (Ind)

Cllr Caroline Endersby (Ind) Cllr Paul Van Looy (Ind)

17 Eastwoodbury Crescent, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6XG Tel: 07918 526315 cllrburling@southend.gov.uk

11 Borman Close, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 5UJ Tel: 01702 510463 cllrflewitt@southend.gov.uk

23 Mucking Hall Road, Barling Magna SS3 0NH Tel: 01702 219912 cllrjones@southend.gov.uk

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

491 Sutton Road, Southend-on-Sea SS2 5PL Tel: 07813352806 cllrendersby@southend.gov.uk

THORPE WARD

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

VICTORIA WARD

Cllr Mike Stafford (Ind)

Cllr Martin Terry (Ind)

Cllr Ron Woodley (Ind)

Cllr Margaret Borton (Lab) Cllr Ian Gilbert (Lab)

Cllr David Norman (Lab)

85 Maplin Way, Thorpe Bay, SS1 3NL Tel: 01702 297648 cllrstafford@southend.gov.uk

66 Victoria Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2TF Tel: 01702 619655 cllrterry@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

132 Central Avenue, Southend-on-Sea SS2 4DZ Tel: 01702 339765 cllrgilbert@southend.gov.uk

WEST SHOEBURY WARD

Cllr Fay Evans (Con)

Cllr John Lamb (Con)

Cllr Georgina Phillips (Con)

Cllr Liz Day (Con)

Cllr Derek Jarvis (Con)

Cllr James Moyies (UKIP)

192 Highlands Boulevard, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 3QX Tel: 01702 558657 cllrevans@southend.gov.uk

77 Vardon Drive, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 3SJ Tel: 01702 483908 cllrlamb@southend.gov.uk

63 Marine Parade, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2NQ Tel: 01702 480634 cllrphillips@southend.gov.uk

5 Withypool, Shoeburyness SS3 8BH Tel: 01702 586185 cllreday@southend.gov.uk

Flat 1, Gunnery House, 2 Chapel Road, The Garrison, Shoeburyness SS3 9SL Tel: 01702 292744 cllrjarvis@southend.gov.uk

9 Malsmead, Shoeburyness SS3 8AZ Tel: 01702 215000 cllrmoyies@southend.gov.uk

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Cabinet

WESTBOROUGH WARD

Cllr Kevin Robinson (Lab) Cllr Michael Royston (Lab) Cllr Dr Vel (Ind) 93 Brightwell Avenue Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 9EG Tel: 07528 606279 cllrrobinson@southend.gov.uk

321 Westbourne Grove, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 0PU Tel: 01702 215000 cllrroyston@southed.gov.uk

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

Tell us – do it online: www.southend.gov.uk

■ Ron Woodley (Leader) ■ Ian Gilbert (Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Community Development) ■ Graham Longley (Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development) ■ Martin Terry (Public Protection, Waste and Transport) ■ Mike Assenheim (Regulatory Control) ■ Anne Jones (Children and Learning) ■ David Norman (Adult Social Care, Health and Housing) SUMMER 2014 Outlook

23

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YOU CAN HELP TO REMEMBER THEM by turning off your lights A house in West St, left gutted after bombing in May 1915.

Events at The Forum will commemorate the start of the Great War WEDNESDAY 20 AUGUST 7.30PM – 9.00PM Robert Fleming

Curator at the National Army Museum, Robert will present an illustrated talk exploring the nature, impact and legacy of the German strategic bombing campaign of English targets during the Great War, with specific reference to the Zeppelin raids on Essex and Southend-onSea.Tickets £5

WEDNESDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 7.30PM – 9.00PM Luci Gosling

During 1917, an unusual training school was in operation at the Army barracks in Shoeburyness, the British War Dog School trained hundreds of dogs to act as messengers at the front where they saved countless human lives in the course of duty. Luci’s talk uncovers some heart-rending stories of this relatively unknown aspect of the Great War.Tickets £5

Female transport workers employed

by Southend Corporation.

SATURDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2PM-3.30PM Paul Rusiecki

In his talk ‘Commemorating Sacrifice: the War Memorial Movement in Essex’, Paul Rusiecki explores their early history and why the movement developed during the war. Tickets £5 Recruits at a local enrolment office.

MONDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2PM-3PM Dee Gordon

S

OUTHEND-on-Sea Borough Council will be holding a series of events to commemorate the centenary of the start of World War One and to remember those who lost their lives or were injured during the war.

On 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated in Sarajevo – an event which led directly to the start of the First World War, and on 4 August 1914, Britain declared war on Germany.

Southend-on-Sea, like every community, was affected not just through lives lost on the battlefield, but with upheaval and changes on the home front. Everyone had a role to play in helping the troops, and buildings were given a new purpose in life as hospitals, stores and military offices.

The first event will be a church service at 11.30am on 4 August, organised by the Naval and Military Club in association with St John’s Church, Southend-on-Sea. On the same day the Council will be taking part in a national campaign called Lights Out. This is an invitation to every business and community member in the UK to turn off their lights from 10pm until 11pm on 4 August, leaving on a single light to give a shared moment of reflection on that significant moment in history.

The Council’s commemoration of the First World War has been boosted by £77,900 of Heritage Lottery Funding to host an exhibition, entitled Southend and the Great War at the Southend Central Museum in Victoria Avenue. It will run from Saturday 2 August until Saturday 21 February 2015.

The exhibition will examine the role Southend-on-Sea played in the war and themes around the home front, Zeppelins over Southend, spy fever and prison ships moored off the pier.

24 Outlook SUMMER 2014

Author of ‘Southend at War’, Dee explores the vital role many local women played in the Great War, especially at a time when they were still struggling to have a vote, let alone be accepted on the performance and pay levels of their male counterparts. Tickets £5

THURSDAY 16 OCTOBER 10.30AM -3.30PM First World War Ancestors Helpdesk

Women at work in a munitions factory.

Discover how to trace the stories of your Great War ancestors, or the names on your local war memorial. Free entry, just drop in.

TUESDAY 28 OCTOBER 2014

It will also feature eye-witness accounts from residents of Southend both at the front and at home.

The Palace Theatre Cinema will hold special events on Sunday 12 and Monday 13 October (full details below) and will be screening documentaries, television clips, cartoons and films in both the Dixon Studio and the Main House. There will also be tours of the building plus historical speakers and artefacts.

SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER ● Palace Theatre: 1pm – All Quiet On The Western Front (1930) ● Palace Theatre: 5pm – Oh! What A Lovely War (1969) ● Dixon Studio: The Battle of the Somme (documentary) & The Battle of Ypres (documentary)

MONDAY 13 OCTOBER ● Palace Theatre: 10.30am & 1.30pm – War Horse (2011) 12 Cert ● Dixon Studio: The Battle Of The Somme & The Battle of Ypres (documentaries)

As part of Southend Children’s Book Festival, why not take part in our Great War History quiz with local author Judith Williams; meet living history enthusiast Ian Houghton, who will play recruitment sergeant for the day – but be warned, he’s looking for volunteers to join Kitchener’s Army!

Meet the recruiting sergeant – 11am12 noon and 1pm-2pm.

Great War Quiz 10.30am-11am and 12.30pm1pm. These are free events but please arrive 10 minutes before the start.

For more information about all the events at The Forum and to book tickets, please visit: www.theforumsouthend.co.uk For more details, please visit www.southend.gov.uk/greatwar