What do you want the future Southend-on-Sea to be like?

September 11, 2017 by Southend Borough Council

What do you want the Borough to be like in 2030?

That is the question that the Council, working with the voluntary sector, is asking local people as it seeks to develop a joint community vision for the Borough.

The aim of the work, called ‘Our Town, Our Future’ is supported by engagement specialists OPM is to understand what people want to see in Southend in the future, and find opportunities to work with communities on the ideas that matter to them the most.

“Lots of places come up with visions, but they can end up being little more than a wish list. We don’t just want to ask residents what the place should be like in 2030, but to think about the part they could play in getting us there.” says Rob Francis from OPM’s workshop team.

Cllr Andrew Moring, Executive Councillor for Community and Corporate Support, says: “We, and our partners, are keen to ensure that this doesn’t feel like a consultation exercise. Instead, we want to have local conversations with individual residents, community groups and local businesses bringing them together around the topics that interest them the most.

“This is an opportunity for local people to tell us about the things that matter to them here and now, and generate some new ideas that we can work on together to really improve Southend-on-Sea as a place to live, work and enjoy.”

So, what do you want the borough to be like in 2030? What are the assets we should all be making more of – buildings, open spaces, the skills of our communities? And what can we start doing now, as a community, to make that future a reality? You can let the Our Town, Our Future team know by adding your comments to their StickyWorld web pages:www.southend.gov.uk/ourtownourfuture, or get more involved by coming along to an ‘Ideas Farm’ workshop or drop-in event in September as follows:

Ideas Farm workshop dates

· 16th September: 151 West Rd, Shoeburyness, SS3 9EF – arrive for a 10am start, event will finish by midday

· 30th September: Wesley Methodist Church, Leigh-on-Sea – arrive for a 10am start, event will finish by midday

· A Central Southend workshop is in the pipeline, so watch this space for details

Drop-in events:

· 16th September, 2pm-4pm, The Hub, Victoria Shopping Centre

· 30th September, 2pm-4pm, The Hub, Victoria Shopping Centre