Essex Chambers has many Member companies based in Southend, with one of our offices located in Great Wakering, so we as a business, and a good proportion of our staff as local residents, have a keen interest in how the city develops.
We will be responding to the survey recently launched by the Southend City Partnership and would encourage as many people as possible to do likewise. If you have not seen it advertised elsewhere, here is a link to the survey: yoursay.southend.gov.uk/southend-on-sea-city-vision.
Shaping Southend’s Future Vision
Completing the survey will contribute to the development of a new Southend City Vision, which aims to be bold and representative and create a long-term strategy for Southend-on-Sea’s future. This will replace the Southend 2050 Ambition, which has been overtaken by the pandemic, the UK’s slow economic growth, a cost-of-living crisis, and Southend becoming a city.
Strategic Focus on Essex Devolution
The Chambers is currently involved in two big strategic issues that, if taken forward, will affect Southend. First, the government has invited areas to put themselves forward for a devolution deal. Essex County, with Thurrock and Southend, are working on a proposal and if they can agree, they will submit an Expression of Interest to the government by 30 September.
Our business membership remains strongly in favour of a mayoral deal, which we believe would deliver greater strategic focus on investment, growth, and economic performance across the county—so long as any new arrangements are cost-efficient and effective, and include a mechanism to safeguard local geographies and interests within Essex. We believe the proposal does this, and getting on the devolution ‘pathway’ is an important first step towards giving Essex the same sort of profile nationally as Manchester, the West Midlands, and other areas that have already gone down the devolution route.
Lower Thames Crossing Decision
Second, a decision is looming (due 4 October) on a development consent order (DCO) for the Lower Thames Crossing. If approved by the Secretary of State for Transport, the next step will be to secure a funding package to enable construction. This is a very long-running saga, but the new crossing (a tunnel) is something businesses consider imperative—not only to relieve congestion at Dartford but to deliver jobs and economic benefits across the wider region and nationally.
If you would like more information on the above or any of the Essex Chambers’ services, please visit: essexchambers.co.uk or call us on 01702 560100.