SBC - one of the top six Councils in the country!

The Council was shortlisted for two awards this year - Council of the Year and the Legal Award (as part of the Essex Legal Services Partnership).

Chief Executive Rob Tinlin said: "This truly is a great achievement and I would like pay tribute to each and every one of the Council's employees for the professionalism, dedication and loyalty that they show to our customers.

"It is this unfailing commitment that so impressed the judges during their visit to the borough.

"We know that there are tough times ahead for us, but we are determined to face the financial challenges head on and continue to provide excellent public services and regeneration schemes which make Southend a better place to live, work and play."