Browsing: Local News

NHS Essex has partnered with local charity Hamelin to launch a year-long pilot programme aimed at increasing annual health check uptake among people with learning disabilities. The initiative will provide personalised support, health action plans and improved access to services to help people stay healthier and achieve their aspirations.

NHS Essex is urging residents to use the most appropriate healthcare services during planned resident doctor strike action from 15 to 19 June 2026. While emergency care will continue to be available, some routine appointments may be postponed, and residents are encouraged to use NHS 111 and local pharmacies where appropriate.

Residents across Thorpe Bay, Bournes Green and the surrounding areas are being encouraged to attend a series of public outreach events to learn more about proposals that could see around 3,000 additional homes built on land within the Bournes Green area.

Southend-on-Sea City Council has successfully prosecuted a landlord for renting out an unsafe property in breach of a Prohibition Order and without the required Selective Licence. The court imposed fines, costs and surcharges totalling more than £25,000, reinforcing the Council’s commitment to protecting tenants and raising housing standards across the city.

Southend-on-Sea City Council is launching the city’s first-ever Southend Business Show 2026 this September, bringing together businesses, residents and partners for a day of networking, workshops, exhibitions and growth opportunities. The event aims to celebrate Southend’s thriving business community while encouraging collaboration, skills development and local investment.

A proposed expansion of more than 1,200 homes could increase Great Wakering’s population by around a third, placing significant pressure on local roads, healthcare, schools and public services. Simon Jones of Stop Overdevelopment in Wakering examines the concerns surrounding the Friends Farm and Tithe Park developments and argues that infrastructure, environmental protection and community needs must come before large-scale growth.

Environmental campaigner Tricia Cowdrey argues that South East Essex is putting its future food security at risk by allowing productive farmland to be lost to development. Highlighting the importance of local food production, flood protection and climate resilience, she calls for housing growth to focus on brownfield sites and town centre regeneration rather than building over valuable agricultural land.

Southend Against Sewage explains how a community-led campaign helped secure Designated Bathing Water Status for Canvey Island. By bringing together swimmers, environmental groups, residents and the local council, campaigners successfully pushed for regular water quality testing and greater protection for the island’s coastline, helping safeguard public health, wildlife and the future of local beaches.

Anna Firth and David Stanley BEM took on the annual “Tackle the Tower” charity abseil at Southend Hospital, raising record amounts to help take the Southend-born Music Man Project to Broadway this October.

The lease for Southend’s historic Kursaal building has officially been assigned to new operators, paving the way for essential repairs, phased restoration works, and the long-awaited return of the iconic seafront landmark.