The Southend City Vision, setting out a long-term ambition for the City will be discussed by councillors at a meeting of Cabinet on 3 March, followed by Full Council on 20 March 2025.
The Southend City Partnership has spearheaded the development of the refreshed City Vision, building on findings from an extensive consultation conducted between 29 August and 22 November 2024. This consultation engaged residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure the Vision reflects the diverse aspirations of the Southend community
The refreshed vision will be presented to the City Council, which is one of the members of the partnership, with a recommendation to endorse the document, recognising its potential to guide collaborative efforts for the city's growth and development.
The public launch of the Southend City Vision is set to coincide with City Day on 1 March 2025, marking the start of an exciting programme of activities. These initiatives will continue the conversation about the type of city residents want to live, work, study, and visit. The programme will also highlight existing initiatives that can be strengthened, address gaps, and encourage pooling of resources and ideas to tackle challenges collectively.
Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of the Council said: "Endorsing the Southend City Vision will set a clear direction for the city's development and ensure we maximise the collective efforts of our partnerships. It's a vision that reflects what matters most to our residents and stakeholders and will guide our priorities for years to come."
Tara Poore, Chair of the Southend City Partnership and CEO of City Family, said: "The Southend City Vision is a partnership led initiative and signifies a landmark opportunity for Southend-on-Sea, bringing together the voices and aspirations of our diverse community. It highlights our collective ambition for a safe, thriving, inclusive, and sustainable city. We are grateful to everyone who participated in shaping this vision and look forward to continuing the conversation on City Day and beyond."
Colin Ansell, Co-Chair of the Partnership and Chief Executive of the Council, added: "This vision is not just a document; it's a call to action for all of us - residents, businesses, and partners - to work together for the future of Southend-on-Sea. By endorsing this vision, we are committing to a shared path towards a better future."
Next Steps
The Vision will be discussed at Cabinet (Monday 3 March, item 7) and Full Council on 20 March 2025.
To learn more about the Vision and City Day activities, visit:
- Southend City Partnership: The Southend City Vision cabinet report on our demoracy website.
- City Day: Visit Southend