So Chelsea owners are briefing that Enzo Maresco had to go because he wanted to write a book, and spoke at an event in Italy? Good grief, who would actually take this job if that's the level of control your bosses require over your life?

Between 11.00 and 14.00 every Friday, Sacred Heart Church in Southend will be opening their doors for a community warm café and offering hot (and homemade!) soup, good company, and a warm place to sit - all free of charge.

In 2026, the #KursaalWard councillors will be holding two advice surgeries each month. ❖The second Saturday of each month at Belle Vue Baptist Church, 10.00-11.00. ❖The third Thursday of each month at Southend Adult Community College, 16.30-17.30. No appointments required.

Happy New Year!

Clear, cold and dry for our first firework display of the night, and the beach and seafront were packed with families enjoying it! Remember, we have another free seafront firework display at midnight, to welcome in 2026!

As 2025 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to thank all of my followers for their attention and interaction this last year. My thanks to the residents of #KursaalWard, and Southend; it has been a pleasure to represent you for another year. Happy New Year.

Farewell 2025, and best wishes for 2026!

⚠YELLOW WEATHER WARNING FOR SNOW & ICE: FRIDAY⚠ The @metoffice.gov.uk has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice, from 00.00 to 12.00 on Friday 2 January, which includes Southend. Be careful if you're going to be out and about in it.

Following last year's success, we're bringing back FREE New Year's Eve seafront firework displays. 🎆18.00 - A "family" showing for those with younger children who can't stay up until midnight. 🎆00.00 - the main event, seeing out 2025 and welcoming in 2026.

Beating Wolves. It's not for everyone.

Southend RNLI is bringing back its annual New Year's Day Dip to open 2026. Are you brave enough to take part? The event takes place (shockingly) on New Year's Day at Jubilee Beach, starting from 10.00. Tickets are £25 on the day or £6 in advance.

📊FULL FACT GOVERNMENT MANIFESTO TRACKER UPDATE📊 A little while ago I shared @fullfact.org's government tracker, which I thought was a useful way of monitoring progress in delivering the 2024 Labour manifesto. As such, I think it's probably helpful to occasionally post an update on the tracker.

♻️REVISED CHRISTMAS WASTE COLLECTION DAYS IN SOUTHEND♻️ A reminder that there are be some changes to recycling and waste collections in Southend over the festive period, due to bank holidays.

On New Year's Day, Priory Brass will present an hour long concert of music for brass at the Bandstand in Priory Park to celebrate the start of 2026. From 14.00, welcome in the New Year with uplifting melodies. Bring a chair, wrap up warm and enjoy the fresh air. This event is free to attend.

🏡PLANNING DECISIONS LAST WEEK🏡 Each week I post details of any planning decisions made by Southend Council in the past week, within #KursaalWard. Last week there were five. Some decisions are made by officers on delegated powers, and others by the Planning Committee.

🚧HIGHWAY WORKS IN KURSAAL WARD THIS WEEK🚧 The following highway works are scheduled for this week either in #KursaalWard, or close enough to Kursaal ward to potentially affect residents.

It's a Christmas miracle! #LIVWOL #YNWA

This year Southend Council is offering free real Christmas tree recycling again, but with a slightly different approach. In addition to real Christmas trees being taken to either of the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), there are also three options for recycling Christmas trees this year.

This coming Sunday is the last of our festive free parking Sundays this year in Southend. Every Sunday in December, parking will be free in selected Council-managed car parks across the city, to help residents to support local shops, cafes, and businesses while getting into the festive spirit.

All I want for Christmas is Chiesa to start against Wolves on Saturday #YNWA

Oh, this feels dangerous...

However you're celebrating it, I wish a very happy Christmas from me and mine to you and yours, to everyone in #KursaalWard, Southend and around the world.

Christmas is a joyous time, but it can be challenging for many of us. Whilst a lot of services do shut down through the holidays, there are people and services available if you need help. Please share this post to spread details to those who may need them.

🎟EVENTS PERMITS ISSUED🎟 In the last week, one event permit was issued pertaining to #KursaalWard. Residents of #KursaalWard with any questions or concerns about event permits can, as ever, get in touch with me at [email protected].

🏡PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED THIS WEEK🏡 Each week I post details of any planning applications received by the Council in the past week, within #KursaalWard. This week there was one.

Christmas is a magical time, but it can also be a difficult time for many people. If you're alone, or are struggling to get by, then you don't need to go without on Christmas Day. The following places are opening their doors to welcome people in for a Christmas meal.

Wherever you are and however you're celebrating it, from me and mine to you and yours, I want to wish you the very merriest of Christmases.

🚚REPORTED WRECKED VEHICLE REMOVED FROM BURDETT ROAD🚚 A nice last minute win today before I sign off for Christmas, as a wrecked vehicle I'd reported on Burdett Road, thanks to a resident alerting me, was removed by Southend Council contractors. I'm taking it as an early Christmas present!

🚮FLYTIPPING REPORTED FOR REMOVAL🚮 On my business out and about in #KursaalWard today, I happened across another fly-tip. It has now been reported for removal by Southend Council contractors. Together we can #KeepKursaalTidy!

There will be some changes to recycling and waste collections in Southend over the festive period, due to the Christmas and New Year bank holidays. From Monday 5 January onwards, normal service will resume.

The Ghost of Christmas Past in the Muppet Christmas Carol is: a) A wonder of film-making effects and animatronics. and b) absolute nightmare fuel.

This close to the big day, The Muppet Christmas Carol is obligatory, isn't it? One of the two best Christmas films.

🚮FLYTIPPING REPORTED FOR REMOVAL🚮 Even as we get closer to Christmas, the work of a local councillor continues. I spotted this fly-tipped fridge on Ilfracombe Avenue at the weekend, which has been reported to Southend Council for removal. Together we can #KeepKursaalTidy!

🚧HIGHWAY WORKS IN KURSAAL WARD THIS WEEK🚧 The following highway works are scheduled for this week either in #KursaalWard, or close enough to Kursaal ward to potentially affect residents.

🏡PLANNING DECISIONS LAST WEEK🏡 Each week I post details of any planning decisions made by Southend Council in the past week, within #KursaalWard. Last week there were two. Some decisions are made by officers on delegated powers, and others by the Planning Committee.

We had a fantastic time this afternoon at the Show Up Panto performance of Jack and the Beanstalk at Hadleigh Old Fire Station! A bit of panto is the just the thing to make you feel festive.

Some politicians really would take credit for the sun rising in the morning if they could, eh?

Wishing a happy Winter Solstice, to everyone in #KursaalWard, Southend, and across the northern hemisphere, as we start to move out of the darkness and back into the light.

The local elections in Southend in May 2026 are going ahead.

Wishing a blessed fourth Sunday of Advent to everyone observing it, in #KursaalWard, Southend, and around the world.

Absolute headloss from Spurs now #TOTLIV

And Ekitike too! Liverpool's summer signings proving their worth #TOTLIV

Kudus, wouldus, shouldus #TOTLIV

ISAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK! And an assist from Wirtz! Get in! #TOTLIV

Every Liverpool fan knew that Wolves penalty wasn't getting past Kelleher #WOLBRE

Every parent should be able to trust that their daughter is safe at school, online and in her relationships. This Labour government's Violence Against Women and Girls strategy will help ensure they can.

Free festive parking continues this coming Sunday in Southend. Every Sunday in December, parking will be free in selected Southend Council-managed car parks across the city, to help residents to support local shops, cafes, and businesses while getting into the festive spirit.

Throughout December, Southchurch Library will be holding a series of craft days for the little ones in a craft-tastic countdown to Christmas! This Saturday, they're making CD baubles. Sessions run 10.00 to 13.00 and 14.00 to 16.00, whilst stocks last. The cost is £1/child.

Christmas is supposed to be a time of goodwill to all men - but there was precious little of that on show at Southend Council last night from Tory and Reform councillors.

🏡PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED THIS WEEK🏡 Each week I post details of any planning applications received by the Council in the past week, within #KursaalWard. This week there were three.