Statement from the Leader
2024/25 marked a period of significant progress in advancing Southend’s vision as an accessible, sustainable and forward-looking city. Our Parking Services continue to play a vital role in supporting the Council’s broader infrastructure and transport strategy, ensuring that our streets remain safe, navigable and responsive to the needs of residents, businesses and visitors.
As Leader of the Council with responsibility for infrastructure, including parking, I am proud of the achievements delivered over the past year. This report provides a comprehensive overview of our performance, including key indicators and financial data, with comparative insights from previous years. It reflects our commitment to transparency, operational excellence and continuous improvement.
Parking enforcement and management are essential to maintaining order on our roads, reducing congestion and improving air quality. Our service is guided by statutory obligations and local priorities, and we remain focused on delivering efficient, fair and customer-centred solutions.
We continue to invest in digital innovation, including enhanced online services that allow customers to access information, manage their parking permits and challenge Penalty Charge Notices with greater ease and transparency. These improvements are designed to foster trust and engagement with our community.
This Annual Report is part of our ongoing commitment to openness and accountability. By publishing our parking and enforcement data annually, we aim to keep our stakeholders informed about the changes we have implemented and the strategic direction we are pursuing.
I am pleased to present this report and invite you to explore the progress we have made. We welcome feedback from all members of our community and encourage you to share your views through our online channels as we continue to shape the future of parking services in Southend.
Councillor Daniel Cowan
Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Corporate Strategy