To seek agreement to proceed with the development and submission of a city status application for Southend-on-Sea under the Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours Competition.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Interim Executive Director (Growth and Housing) seeking approval to the preparation and submission of a bid for City Status, for the Borough of Southend-on-Sea, as part of the Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours Competition.

Resolved:

That the preparation and submission of a City Status bid for the Borough of Southend-on-Sea, as part of the Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours Competition, be approved.

Reasons for decision:

To make an application for City Status in recognition, not only of Southend-on-Sea’s rich heritage and what the Borough has to offer now as a ‘city by the sea’, but also its shared future ambition and the city it aspires to become.  Securing City Status brings with it prestige, standing and an opportunity to lever investment.

Other options:

Not to pursue the preparation and submission of a bid for City Status.  This would prevent the Council from applying as applications must be made by the relevant Local Authority.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to: Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Gilbert