In this weeks blog, the deputy leader of the council talks about the hard work that goes into a Southend summer, BBQs and our Love Parks week.
With summer well upon us, it has been great to see so many local people and residents enjoying the local area. As ever there have been isolated issues across our seafront and parks and open spaces, and I want to thank all our staff and partners who are working so hard to keep our City clean, tidy and safe. It is of course a challenge, but we are working collectively to do the best we can with the resources we have.
On this theme, a new survey has launched on the Your Say Southend website asking residents for their thoughts on introducing a Public Safety Protection Order that covers public BBQs and the use of personal watercraft. The proposal for a PSPO follows complaints the council has received from residents regarding irresponsible or dangerous use of disposable BBQs, bonfires and personal watercrafts, such as jet skis, along our coastline. The survey will help to fine-tune the recommendations for the PSPO, which would be submitted to cabinet for consideration.
We recently had to ban BBQs (particularly disposable ones) at East Beach and Shoebury Common, due to anti-social behaviour and damage that has been experienced in these areas and the hot and dry conditions. We are also discouraging BBQs throughout other public spaces in the city, along with bonfires.
Private watercrafts are permitted across our waterfront, but people who use them are reminded to do so respectfully and responsibly, from the designated launch sites. Under the new PSPO some of these restrictions may change, so please make sure you have your say on the Your Say Southend website by 26 August.
We have a responsibility to preserve the city’s beauty and natural landscape, which includes our coastline and fantastic parks and open spaces.
On the subject of parks and open spaces, a number of ours have been nominated to become the UK’s favourite. There are a few weeks left to have your say, so please do get your vote in via the Fields in Trust website.
It has also been Love Parks week and a number of events have been taking place across the City including litter picks, walks and butterfly counts. I am delighted that seven of our magnificent parks have been granted Green Flag status, which together with our Blue Flag beaches and Purple Flag night time economy awar makes Southend a rainbow of flags celebrating our City.
I hope you can get out and enjoy some of them this weekend.
Cllr Carole Mulroney, deputy leader of the council.