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Residents are reminded that dogs are not allowed on any of the Borough’s beaches from 1 May to 30 September.
Following the Government lockdown for the Coronavirus pandemic, the council relaxed these rules as the beaches were empty with people staying home. However, following the Prime Minister’s easing of lockdown on 10 May, many more people are using the beaches.
If you take a dog, other than a guide dog, onto any beach within the restricted period you could face a fine. This includes the mudflats, whether the tide is in or out.
Cllr Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “The council’s policies around domestic dogs on beaches have been in place for some time, and are there to ensure all visitors are able to enjoy their time at the beach in safety and as clean an environment as possible.
“We recognised that with lockdown in place, many people were out taking dogs to the park, so providing additional space was important. Now we are experiencing vast numbers flocking to our beaches, we have resumed enforcing the policy. We do appreciate most dog owners responsibly clean up after their dogs, but the restrictions are in place to maintain the safety and environment of those using the beaches”
The policies are in place to allow dog owners to make use of the beaches in the non-peak months of the year, when visitor numbers are low.
No dogs on beaches during summer months
5.8
19/9
On this day - August 11
A multi-agency group of professionals has been set up to support Southend schools safe return in September in line with Government guidance.
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council set up the group with the help and support of head teacher and college representatives from each level of school education: early years, primary, secondary and post-16 education.
A letter has gone to all local schools to explain the support in place and to recognise the considerable lengths that education settings have already gone to in an attempt to try and minimise disruption to pupils caused by the pandemic.
Cllr Anne Jones, cabinet member for children and education, said: “The teaching staff have been on the frontline throughout lockdown and the passion and professionalism they have demonstrated is remarkable.
“Now there are seven weeks to find manageable ways to enable all year groups to return to school in a safe manner from 1 September. The early years setting, pre-schools and nurseries, have already returned and we are using their knowledge and understanding to advise our views and guidance through the multi-agency team.
“The starting point will be revising the individual risk assessments for each school, and from there for schools to work out ways to overcome any challenges identified and put in place controls to help pupils settle back into the new way of school life. The multi-agency group will be on hand to support the schools in any way possible.
“Come September, it will be six months since the majority of children have attended school full time. We need to help them adjust as soon as possible and we have every confidence in our schools and college leaders to help this happen.”
14.7
Multi-agency team to support schools’ return in September
Face coverings are already mandatory in healthcare settings, GP surgeries, hospitals and on public transport. They are also recommended when sharing cars with those outside of your household, and when you find yourself unable to maintain a 2 metre distance indoors with others from outside your household.
To be effective, face coverings should:
cover both your nose and mouth
fit comfortably but securely against the side of the face
be secured to the head with ties or ear loops
include at least two layers of fabric, ideally three
unless disposable, it should be able to be washed with other items of laundry according to fabric washing instructions and dried without causing the face covering to be damaged
Users should heed the following guidance when putting on and taking off face coverings:
wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before putting a face covering on and before removing a face covering
avoid wearing face coverings on your neck or forehead
avoid touching the part of the face covering in contact with your mouth and nose, as it could be contaminated with the virus
change the face covering if it becomes damp or if you’ve touched it
only handle the straps, ties or clips
do not share with anyone else
if single-use, dispose of it carefully in a residual waste bin and do not recycle
if reusable, wash it in line with manufacturer’s instructions at the highest temperature appropriate for the fabric
wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser once removed
Krishna Ramkhelawon, the council’s director of public health says: “Each and every one of us has a role to play in reducing the spread of the virus. This latest guidance on face coverings should ensure that community related transmission of the virus is further reduced.
For further information on face coverings, please visit www.southend.gov.uk/facecoverings
A list of exemptions is also available on GOV.UK
Green-fingered residents keeping themselves busy at a community garden in Southend are seeing a vast improvement in their mental wellbeing.
The Cluniac Gardens, located on Norwich Avenue, are community gardens and allotments, managed by the Early Help Family Support Service, have seen a steady increase in the number of visitors to the site since lockdown began back in March. Many visitors have agreed they have seen an improvement in their mental wellbeing, particularly around anxiety and isolation.
With more people making use of the gardens, residents are being asked to consider coming along to the garden on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 9.30am – 1pm, and get involved in some gardening or even setting up a patch in the allotment. It’s free to use, and is a fantastic way of meeting new people, learning new skills and helps to reduce social anxiety. Tasks can vary from watering plants to digging holes for plants, fruit and veg.
Cllr Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “I think we have all come to appreciate our green spaces and gardens over the lockdown period and there are so many positives with gardening itself. I am delighted to hear that our residents are benefitting from the Cluniac Gardens and the positive impact on anxiety and isolation the gardens have played, particularly throughout what has been a really challenging period for many people.
“We have a number of allotments across the Borough, and with many of us having more time on our hands, why not take a look to see if there is space at your local allotment site and start to reap the rewards for yourself.”
One regular visitor to the gardens praised the site, saying, “It’s given me a reason to come out and enjoy the outside in a safe environment”, with another explaining “I have moved on since coming here and now have a job, which is all down to the gardening experience learned here, but I still like to come on my days off.”
To find out more about allotments in the Borough, including locations and how to register an interest, please visit www.southend.gov.uk/allotment
Community gardens providing mental health boost
As part of the council’s annual voter registration canvass, households will soon be contacted by the Electoral Services team. This year the household canvass is changing and residents may be contacted by email, form or letter.
The aim of the canvass is to ensure that the electoral register is up to date and to identify any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so. It will ask them to check whether information on the electoral register for those living at their address is correct.
Alison Griffin, chief executive of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council said: “To vote in any election, residents must be registered on the electoral roll, and the household canvass is part of ensuring we have up to date information. To make sure you are able to have your say, simply check your email, form or letter when it arrives, carefully read the instructions and respond as promptly as possible.
“It is important that anyone who has recently moved address looks out for their communication and checks whether they are registered.”
Householders can respond to their form online, by text message, or by telephone. Full details of how to do this are included in the communication received whether that is email, form or letter.
Any residents who have any questions can contact the Electoral Services team by calling 01702 215010 or visiting www.southend.gov.uk/canvass
The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections. The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as:
• detecting crime (e.g. fraud)
• calling people for jury service
• checking credit applications.
The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.
To be eligible to register to vote in England a person must be:
· Aged 16 or over (a person may register to vote at 16, but may not vote until they are 18)
· A British or qualifying Commonwealth citizen who has leave to enter and remain in the UK or does not require such leave.
· A citizen of the Republic of Ireland or other European Union (EU) member state.
British citizens, Irish citizens and qualifying citizens of Commonwealth countries (including Cyprus and Malta), as well as citizens of other EU member states can vote in local government elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales.
Look out for your household canvass
Southend-on-Sea’s new and environmentally friendly pier trains will be designed in heritage green and cream with a modern nose (see design image attached).
Production of the new trains is already underway, and they are due to be in operation from next summer. Green and cream liveried Pier trains previously ran on Southend Pier from 1949 to 1978. These were replaced by two diesel trains built by Severn Lamb that have been in operation since 1986. It was announced earlier this year that Severn Lamb had won the contract to design, build and install the new pier trains.
Powered by lithium battery, they will feature a much improved ride for visitors and have state of the art audio visual equipment to enhance visitors’ experience. Other key features of the new trains will include:
· Increased capacity (from 180 to 244)
· Increased wheelchair capacity (minimum of six spaces per train with every carriage being wheelchair accessible)
· Lithium battery electric
· Speakers and display monitors
· On board Wi-Fi
· USB charging points
· GPS triggered audio announcements
· On board CCTV
· Hearing loop system and braille driver alert
The announcement follows a high number of responses earlier this year to a request for views on the colour and design.
A total of 3,466 comments were received through the council’s Facebook (2,773) and Twitter (188) accounts, with 505 visitors to the Pier entrance also giving their views on a visual display.
The modern nose cone was indicated as a preference by 1,598 (46%) people. The next highest was the heritage nose cone with 25%. The ultra-modern nose cone received 17% and the tendered version 12%.
The green and cream livery was preferred by 1,710 people (49%). The blue and silver livery was preferred by 1,079 (31%) and the dark contrast by 677 (20%).
Cllr Kevin Robinson, cabinet member for business, culture and tourism, says: “There was an incredible response to our call-out for views earlier this year, with nearly 3,500 comments made. A heritage green and cream livery and the modern nose cone proved the favourite and has therefore been selected.
““Southend-on-Sea is the longest pleasure pier in the world and one of the last to still include a railway, so it is great that the heritage and history of our beloved pier will be reflected in the new designs.
“I am delighted that we are now taking this design forward into production and cannot wait to see these new trains gracing the Pier in 2021. I hope they will instill a sense of pride and joy in local people and visitors too.”
For more information on Southend Pier, please visit the council’s website.
New Pier trains will be heritage green and cream
Southend is to receive over £4m from central Government to power the Better Queensway project with a modern, efficient electric heating system and roll out electric vehicle charging points across the town centre.
The South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) today announced that Better Queensway – the largest housing regeneration project Southend has ever seen – is in line to receive £4.2m from the Government’s £900m Get Building Fund, created to invest in local infrastructure projects to drive economic growth in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
SELEP – which covers the local authority areas of East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock - successfully secured an £85m share of the pot for its area: the largest allocation for any LEP area in the UK.
The regeneration of the Queensway Estate in Southend is set to be carried out by Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP – a joint venture between Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and Swan Housing Association. The project, which will put local people at the heart of the regeneration, will transform the Queensway area into a vibrant new place which provide high quality housing for residents of all tenures, together with commercial units and high quality and attractive public realm. This will include new public green spaces and a revitalised entrance to Southend-on-Sea from Southend Victoria station
Cllr Ron Woodley, deputy leader of the council, said: “The council, working closely with SELEP has an excellent track record of securing external funding for major projects, and we are very pleased to hear this news.
“This, and other successful projects across the region, highlight the importance of working closely across local authority boundaries to secure government funding for major projects, as we are also seeking to do through the Association of South Essex Local Authorities (ASELA).“
“This money will be essential to deliver our energy strategy for the Better Queensway project, which includes the upgrade of the local electrical networks to provide extra capacity to meet new government guidelines on energy use in new homes. This will also ensure we can create sufficient resilience in the local grid to provide the level of electrical vehicle charging that will be needed in central Southend in the future.”
Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: “As we get Britain building we are also laying the foundations for a green economic recovery by investing in vital infrastructure for local communities, creating jobs and building environmentally friendly homes with a huge £1.3 billion investment announced today.
“This Government is determined to level up all parts of the country and this funding will not only give a much-needed boost to our economic recovery, it will help build the good quality, affordable homes the country needs.”
South East LEP Chair, Christian Brodie said: “We are delighted that government has recognised the excellent projects and potential that the South East has to drive forward our economy at this challenging time. These projects have been carefully selected to target those areas and industries particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 and those that can progress, at pace, to support economic recovery. The South East LEP has a proven track record of delivering successful projects and has been working really closely with our local areas to understand what our businesses need and where investment will have significant impact.
“Over the last few months, we as a LEP have been providing support to local businesses. Our Growth Hubs have been providing advice to struggling businesses and directing businesses to funding support. We have also been reworking our own existing funding pots to create new COVID-19 funds for businesses, infrastructure investment and skills training.
“We truly believe that the South East will help lead the country out of the crisis and into recovery. The Getting Building Fund provides the next phase of financial stimulus to restart our economy.”
£4m to power Better Queensway with greener heating and electric vehicle charging
Each weekend in August, sellers across Leigh will be setting up stalls at locations all over town and selling a huge range of items from outside their houses:
Dates:
Sat 8 & Sun 9 August - Highlands Estate & Marine Estate areas - 11am - 3pm
Sat 15 & Sun 16 August - Belfairs & Blenheim areas - 11am - 3pm
Sat 22 & Sun 23 August - Broadway & West Leigh areas - 11am - 3pm
Sat 29 & Sun 30 August - Elms & Chalkwell - 11am - 3pm
From baby clothes to handmade jam, from toys to beautiful carpentry, there are treasures and bargains galore to be had. Do stroll around the town, meet your neighbours, discover places in Leigh you didn’t know and support community causes as some sellers will be raising funds for local charities.
Leigh has been split into 4 areas for the Bric a Brac Trail. Each area has a specific weekend to set up and sell, enabling sellers to visit stalls in other areas around the town.
There are maps on facebook to show buyers where all the stalls are. Follow the bric a brac trail on facebook for up to date news : bric a brac trail Leigh on Sea