Leigh on Sea News

Parking charges to be frozen under new budget proposals as Southend Council takes control of parking services

Southend-on-Sea City Council has proposed freezing all pay-and-display parking charges for the 2026/27 financial year as part of its draft budget – helping residents and visitors with the cost of living while strengthening local parking services.

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Full Council votes for local elections to go ahead as planned in May 2026

Full Council has voted unanimously that it wishes for local elections to take place as planned in May 2026. This outcome was agreed following a vote on a motion at an Extraordinary Council Meeting held on Monday 12th January 2026.

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REVIEW OF THE BODYGUARD, THE MUSICAL BY LYNN CARROLL

Wow, wow and wow again. This was a show that definitely had that sometimes evasive wow factor and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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New Properties from Bear this January

New Listings in and around Leigh this January.

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Grant Applications Open For Big Sparks Project coming soon to Leigh-on-sea

Leigh-on-sea Town Council will be delivering the Big Sparks Project this January. Providing grants to residents, businesses and community groups who want to make a positive change in their local community.

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Southend Political Leaders reaffirm collective support for five-unitary model in response to Local Government Reorganisation consultation

The cross-party letter sets out why a five-unitary model is considered the best option to protect local identity, strengthen democratic accountability, deliver sustainable public services and support long-term financial stability.

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RADIO 4 PROGRAMME ANY QUESTIONS? (AQ) COMES TO LEIGH ON SEA

The broadcast is on Friday 6 February 2026 At Highlands Methodist Church, Sutherland Boulevard, Leigh on Sea, SS9 3PT (which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year).

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Salvation Army leaders thank community for generosity at Christmas

The leaders of The Salvation Army in Leigh-on-Sea say they want to thank individuals, businesses and organisations who supported their work during Christmas and throughout the year.

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C2C joins the Great British Rail Sale

Local Leigh-on-sea rail operator c2c Railway Limited is proud to once again be joining the Rail Delivery Group’s (RDG) Great British Rail Sale (GBRS) and offering customers up to 50% off Off-Peak railway tickets.

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Jack and the Beanstalk - Show Up Productions Review by Nina Jervis-Green

The all-female cast of five were fantastic, performing with warmth and zeal that was completely addictive.

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Refuse Collection this Christmas but no Green Bin Collections

Garden waste collections will pause from Monday 22 December and resume on Tuesday 13 January 2026, so residents who want their real Christmas tree recycled before then have three options

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The Snow Queen Review by Nina Jervis-Green

If you’re looking for an alternative to the big-budget, big-name pantomimes that flood the Christmas schedules every year, The Snow Queen is it. This is a captivating show full of heart and magic, with a story that will resonate long after you’ve left the theatre.

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REVIEW OF CINDERELLA BY LYNN CARROLL

I didn’t think Rylan could better his previous year’s performance but he totally smashed it and the audience made sure he knew it. The laughter, cheers and comebacks came thick and fast with joke after joke

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We’ve Given It Time: The Wheelie Bin Project is Failing by Enzo Harrison

Waste collection isn’t a pleasant subject. But it’s perhaps one of the many matters that come to mind when you think about local government. It’s something we all take for granted. Or did take for granted, at least.

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Uber granted licence to operate in Southend after unanimous Licensing Sub-Committee approval

Southend-on-Sea City Council’s independent, quasi-judicial Licensing Sub-Committee has unanimously approved Uber Britannia Limited’s application for a Private Hire Vehicle Operator’s Licence.

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Council to crack down on Southend and Leigh's derelict and neglected sites with launch of “Dirty Dozen” list

Southend-on-Sea City Council is cracking down on the blight of derelict and neglected sites by naming and shaming the city’s top 12 offenders through a new initiative called the “Dirty Dozen” list.

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5 Top Christmas Styling Tips by Zoe from Beautiful Healthy Home

Hi, I’m Zoë from Beautiful Healthy Home, your local interior design studio that puts health at the heart of design. In this month’s blog I pick out my favourite Christmas accents to help you bring joy and connection within your own beautiful and healthy home.

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£8.5m boost set to improve bus services for Southend passengers

This multi-year allocation allows the council to plan improvements across the network with confidence. It also enables Southend to build on recent successes, including the new 23A/B bus service from Leigh-on-Sea Railway Station to London Southend Airport route and Airport Business Park and the extension of late-night bus services, which are already giving passengers more choice and flexibility when travelling.

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The Palace Theatre Summer Youth Project: Shrek The Musical Auditions

The Palace Theatre is pleased to reveal that 2026’s Summer Youth Project (SYP) will be Shrek The Musical. Open to young people aged between 9 and 19 with a passion for performing, cast auditions will be held in April.

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Southend launches Culture Small Grants Scheme to support community-led creativity

New grants from £250–£1,500 available now. Open to people, groups and organisations connected to Southend

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