- Final 2026/27 budget focused on protecting services and investing in Southend.
- Major investment in roads, housing, open spaces and regeneration.
- Parking charges frozen and several resident fees reduced.
- Over £5m extra for children’s social care.
- Continued investment in council homes and infrastructure.
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.
The proposals have received extensive scrutiny through the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee and will then be considered by Cabinet on Monday 16 February, prior to Full Council on Thursday 26 February.
The budget focuses on protecting vulnerable residents, maintaining essential services, and investing in highways, open spaces, infrastructure and civic pride across the city.
Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said:
“I am proud to present a budget focused on civic pride, stability, and delivery. It reflects this administration’s clear commitment to building a city we can be proud of by protecting vital services, investing in Southend, and responding to the everyday priorities of our residents.
“We are taking practical decisions that help people day to day – freezing parking charges, cutting a fiver from garden waste collections, removing peak-time restrictions for disabled bus pass holders, and keeping costs down wherever we can. These choices sit alongside continued investment in the things residents tell us matter most.
“We are maintaining our record investment in fixing roads and pavements, improving parks and open spaces, and safeguarding libraries, family centres, and cultural assets. At the same time, we are investing in housing, regeneration, and frontline services so residents’ concerns are met now while planning responsibly for the long term.
“This budget reflects the priorities of this administration and our ongoing commitment to investing in services, strengthening civic pride, and building a city we can be proud of.”
Specific key budget proposals:
Keeping costs low and supporting residents and businesses
- Freeze on all pay-and-display parking charges.
- Trade parking permits reduced to £1 per day or £365 per year.
- Pier admission fees frozen.
- Garden waste collection fees reduced by £5.
- Cremation fees frozen or reduced.
Protecting vulnerable residents
- Over £5m additional investment in children’s social care, the largest single service increase.
- Increased funding for adult social care, supported by the ring-fenced precept.
- £45k match funding, with Essex Police, for new sound-activated noise cameras to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Investing in infrastructure
- £30.3m invested in roads and pavements through to 2030, continuing record investment to tackle potholes and improve safety.
- £3.8m capital investment in Southend Pier infrastructure.
- Continued rollout of Electric Vehicle charging points.
- An additional £6.9m capital investment in Leigh Port to protect its historic character and support the fishing and tourism economy.
Safeguarding services
- All libraries and family centres remain open.
- Investment in additional staff for libraries and museums.
- £125k for Planetarium upgrades.
- £200k for park footpaths and cycleways.
Housing and regeneration
- Additional £12.2m for the Decent Homes programme, alongside £6.3m for energy efficiency upgrades.
- £2.6m for disabled adaptations and £2.364m for lift replacements.
- Continued delivery of the Council’s £100m programme to build and acquire new council homes.
Efficiency and investment
- Savings and income generation totalling £6.125m.
- An extra £1m for parks and open spaces.
- Continued funding for outdoor sports co-ordinators and an empty homes officer, prioritised for care leavers or apprentices.
- £50k for civic pride street-scene improvements in 2027.
- Increased funding for cultural events including City Jam and Southend City Day (which will take place next on 7 March 2026).
The budget is funded through a combination of increased government funding, grants, additional income including the Community Infrastructure Levy, and a proposed 4.99% council tax increase (2.99% general, 2% adult social care).