Southend council approved £581,041 owed to the Cliffs Pavilion builder after it took the late payment to adjudication. Certified work has reached £5.82m.
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Transport
Lamppost EV Chargers for 26 Leigh and Milton Streets: Say by 18 November
Southend Council wants views on 26 lamppost chargers in Leigh and Milton wards, most with an EV-only bay beside them. The consultation closes on 18 November.
Christmas
Boxing Day Walks Near Southend: 10 Castles, Creeks and Woods to Walk Off Lunch
Ten Boxing Day walks near Southend, from Hadleigh Castle to Two Tree Island and Gunners Park, with gate times, parking and pubs open. Updated November 2026.
Volunteering
Kindness Kitchen and Shoebury Men's Shed Among Southend's Volunteer Award Winners
Ten volunteers and teams won the Southend Volunteer Awards on 22 October, from the Kindness Kitchen Team to Shoebury Men's Shed. See every winner and finalist.
Seafront
Three Shells Lagoon: Officers Recommend £800,000 Removal
Officers want Three Shells Lagoon taken out and the beach restored, at about £800,000. Cabinet decides on 16 November, and work could start in spring 2027.
Lazydays Festival
Olly Murs Headlines Lazydays Festival on Sunday 25 July 2027
Olly Murs headlines Lazydays Festival in Southend's Priory Park on Sunday 25 July 2027, after Dizzee Rascal and Kaiser Chiefs. Updated November 2026.
Crime
Southend Crime in September: Shoplifting Up by Half
Police.uk logged 959 crimes within a mile of central Southend in September, up 10% on a year earlier. Shoplifting rose from 86 reports to 129.
News update
Remembrance
Ashingdon Scouts Build a WW1 Trench Memorial in Ravens Wood
1st Ashingdon Scouts have built a First World War trench memorial in Ravens Wood, inspired by a charity shop book. Families see it on 11 November 2026.
Council
Greater Essex Growth Plan: Southend Asked to Start Work
Cabinet is asked on 16 November to start a plan setting how many homes go where across Greater Essex. Southend may have to find up to £250,000 towards it.
News update
Charity
Gold Geese c2c Train Relaunched at Southend Central
c2c has relaunched its Gold Geese train at Southend Central for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Look for unit 357010 in the charity's new design.
Christmas
Scott's Light Up the Night: Rochford Trail From 21 Nov, £7
Scott's Light Up the Night opens on Saturday 21 November at the Rochford garden centre: 30 evenings to 3 January, £7 for adults and children, under-2s free.
Elections
Leigh Ward By-Election on 10 December: Key Dates to Vote
Leigh ward votes for one city councillor on Thursday 10 December. Register by midnight on 24 November and apply for a postal vote by 5pm on 25 November.
Schools
Leigh North Street School Pool: Council Cannot Step In
Only the school's governors can reopen the pool, the council tells the 2,547-name petition, and it will not fund it. Cabinet notes the reply on 16 November.