Have your say on Southend’s cultural plans

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is encouraging residents and visitors to share their ideas to help shape the town's next cultural strategy.  

The Council's Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, Councillor Derek Jarvis said: "We are extremely proud of the excellent cultural facilities we have on offer in Southend, and we are very keen to find out from residents and visitors, how we can make them even better.  

"Our vision is for Southend to be recognised as the Cultural Capital of the East of England.

"Culture covers many aspects - from providing physical activities, to relaxation, stimulation of the mind, and making the borough attractive, to regenerating the community.  

"Southend already has considerable cultural resources, thanks to its long history, its Thames Estuary location, and through a variety of recent developments such as the University of Essex being located in the town centre.  

"The borough is therefore fast becoming a cultural hub for people of all ages and backgrounds, so we need to prepare a strategy to reflect and enhance this, to take over from our existing strategy which runs out in 2012."

The closing date for the consultation is Friday 7th October. It is available on the Council's website: http://www.southend.gov.uk/, in libraries, museums and sports centres - or contact Sharon Wheeler on 01702 215498 or at sharonwheeler@southend.gov.uk to ask for a copy to be posted to you.