Leigh on Sea News

Southend Budget 2026/27: Investing in People, Regenerating Our City

Southend-on-Sea City Council has published its final budget proposals for 2026/27, setting out a clear commitment to investing in people, protecting frontline services, and regenerating Southend and its assets

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Southend-on-Sea City Council opens Three New Autism Resource Bases to Strengthen Inclusive Education

Southend-on-Sea City Council is proud to announce the official opening of three new Autism Resource Bases (ARBs) at Blenheim Primary School in Leigh-on-sea, Thorpedene Primary School, and Shoeburyness High School.

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Dr Warren Harper is the new Director of Metal Southend

Before joining Metal, Warren had been working in Canada; his most recent roles have been Exhibition Manager at the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto and lecturing in curatorial studies at the University of Toronto.

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Lace Up and Celebrate 30 Years of the Southend Half Marathon

Registration is now open for the race which will be taking place on Sunday 14th June. After selling out for the past two consecutive years, organisers are urging the community to sign up early to avoid disappointment.

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‘Essex Girls’ share their story in Southend for the upcoming Feature Documentary Witchcraft and Stilettos

Filming for a feature documentary film about the ‘Essex Girl’ stereotype has taken place in Southend. Witchcraft & Stilettos: Redefining the Essex Girl Narrative is about exposing the impact the common stereotype has on women and girls from the county.

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New Properties from Bear this February

New Listings in and around Leigh this February.

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Warrior Square’s breast screening unit moves to the Civic Centre to boost access and attendance

Southend-on-Sea City Council has relocated the city’s mobile breast screening unit from Warrior Square to the Civic Centre on Victoria Avenue, in partnership with the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust - Southend University Hospital Breast Screening Service.

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Local Year 4 and 5 students - get ready to ‘Expect More’

Year 4 and 5 children from across the borough are invited to experience a taste of life at Thorpe Hall School, at their upcoming Expect More Experience Day on Saturday 28th February.

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Inspiring Women, Great Conversation and Lunch with a View for International Women's Day

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, Lady McAdden Breast Cancer Trust (based in Leigh-on-sea) is hosting a relaxed and inspiring lunchtime event bringing women together for an afternoon of connection, conversation and purpose.

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Uber surrenders licence to operate in Southend

Southend-on-Sea City Council has issued the following statement after Uber informed the council it has chosen to surrender its Private Hire Operator Licence to operate in the city.

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Big Sparks Grant Applications Now Open in Leigh-on-sea

The Big Sparks Fund will provide grants to residents, businesses and community groups who want to make a positive change within their communities.

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What is the Future for Hospice Care by Louise Bryan

When the government announced £25 million in capital funding for hospices recently, we welcomed it. Any investment in hospice care matters, and we’ve seen the positive impact of previous capital funding through improvements to our buildings at Fair Havens and Little Havens.

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Youth councillors team up with Cabinet members to shape the future of Southend

Power to the young people of Southend, who took an important step in shaping the future of their city as members of the Southend City Youth Council upon meeting with Cabinet members for a special induction session on 13 January 2026

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New social club for leigh mid-lifers - welcome to the Tuesday Club

The Tuesday Club is a brand new social club for Leigh-on-Sea. It's aimed at mid-lifers based in Leigh and the surrounding areas, and promises to provide "organised fun for the adulting era".

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MEGA GREGGS: A GIANT BITE OUT OF SOUTHEND’S HIGH STREET BY ENZO HARRISON

Four. It’s not a big number is it? Well it’s all perspective. Four quid? You can't buy a lot with that. Four minutes? Not very long. Four Greggs locations in one high-street? That’s a lot.

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Greedy for Geneva? London Southend adds even more flights to Switzerland

London Southend Airport is serving up even more flights to Switzerland, extending its popular Geneva route right through to mid-October

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Want to write your life story but don't know where to start? A new memoir writing course launches in Leigh-on-Sea this February

Leigh-on-Sea has always been a town full of wonderful stories. From beachside conversations to catch-ups over coffee, there’s always a place to share a tale or two.

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£90m partnership to tackle flooding and wastewater using smart technology and dry-gardens approved at Cabinet

This programme is expected to deliver visible improvements for residents across Southend-on-Sea. Residents will see greener streets, rain gardens on grass verges, and other measures that reduce flooding and enhance biodiversity.

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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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