The Council will receive the annual State of the Tendring District Statement from the Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council made the annual Statement of the State of the Tendring District as follows:

“Chairman, Councillors, members of the public both here in person and online.

It is a privilege to stand before you once again to deliver the annual State of Tendring address as a moment to reflect on how far we have come, acknowledge the challenges before us and set out our ambition for the future.

Tendring is changing. Not just in the projects we see taking shape in our towns, or the new homes rising from the ground, but in the way we govern, the way we grow, and the way we shape our communities for future generations.

The last year has been one of real progress. Across our District, cranes are on the horizon, investments are turning into action, and long-discussed plans are becoming reality. This has been a year of delivery, of bricks laid, businesses supported, homes provided, and opportunities unlocked.

And yet, as we look ahead, we know change is coming, not just in what we build, but in how we govern. Local Government Reorganisation is now firmly on the agenda. Whether we welcome it or not, we must be ready. The question is not whether change will come, but how we ensure that it works for Tendring.

This Council has always stood for its people and that will not change. But before we look ahead to the challenges and opportunities of the future, let us take stock of what we have achieved.

I’d like to start with regeneration, which is not just about investment, it is about restoring civic pride, creating places where people want to live, work, and visit across Tendring, and that vision is becoming reality.

In Clacton, we have made real progress in delivering long-awaited transformation. Planning applications have been submitted for the redevelopment of Carnarvon House and the town’s multi-story car park. These projects will create 28 modern homes and vibrant new community spaces. At the same time, Essex County Council’s plans for Clacton Library will bring state-of-the-art learning spaces, an Adult Community Learning Centre, registration services, and a base for the University of Essex’s Centre for Coastal Communities. Together, these projects represent £30 million of investment in Clacton’s future.

Meanwhile, Dovercourt is undergoing its own transformation. Planning has been submitted to modernise the Milton Road car park, creating 23 new spaces in the heart of the town centre and we have cleared and prepared sites for new homes in Victoria Street, demonstrating our commitment to delivery. The library redevelopment is well underway and public realm improvements are progressing. With £9 million investment secured, Dovercourt’s future is one of opportunity.

Also, in Dovercourt, the High Street Accelerator program’s investment is empowering local businesses. £237,000 has been secured for town centre improvements, bringing businesses together to drive change. Meanwhile, an additional £500,000 will improve open spaces, strengthen transport links between the seafront and town centre and bring more greenery into our shopping areas.

Our vision extends beyond bricks and mortar. The newly approved Community Regeneration Partnership; formerly the Levelling Up Partnership, has unlocked £20 million for Clacton and Jaywick Sands. This investment will support cultural venues, revitalise public spaces and create new opportunities for businesses and residents alike. Clacton’s shopfronts are already benefiting from improvement grants, while Martello Tower E is set to become a new cultural and visitor hub.

All of this is happening now, not years away, not aspirational plans gathering dust, but real, tangible progress and that is something this Council can be proud of.

It continues with The Long-Term Plan for Towns initiative which allocates an additional £20 million over ten years for Clacton. The Clacton Town Board, who oversees the finances and plan, has been established and is working diligently on a long-term vision for Clacton. While we await final confirmation from the Government on the exact scope and funding available, the Board has not been idle.

Already, interim projects are making a real difference. Empty shops in Clacton town centre have been revitalised with creative window displays, brightening up the area and fostering a renewed sense of civic pride. This is just the beginning. The Board’s vision includes improving safety and security, enhancing the High Street and public spaces and strengthening transport and connectivity. By focusing on these key areas, we, alongside the Board, aim to create a thriving town that honours its heritage while embracing the future.

Our businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we are committed to their success. The Award-winning Sunspot initiative exemplifies our work in supporting small businesses. Under the Tendring4Growth banner, we delivered a two-week business event in the autumn, featuring a jobs and skills fair and expert-led sessions on tourism, culture, and digital marketing. This culminated in the third annual Tendring4Growth Business Awards, celebrating the achievements of our vibrant business community. Tendring4Growth is a year-round commitment. We continue to provide sector-specific support, ensuring that businesses in our District have the tools they need to thrive.

Of course, being a coastal district, we have a rich maritime heritage, but our future does not rest solely on our past. Freeport East continues to take shape, with the potential to create 13,500 jobs and drive economic transformation. One clear sign of progress is the development of Centurion Park at Horsley Cross, a new business hub that will strengthen Harwich’s role as a gateway for global trade. I recently visited the site and saw first-hand the scale of what is happening. These are real opportunities, and we must ensure our residents are equipped with the skills to seize them.

Growth isn’t solely about jobs and investment; it is also about housing. Our Local Plan, the blueprint for Tendring’s future, has been under review. The government’s shifting policy landscape caused delays, but now we are pressing ahead, consulting with residents on the best way to accommodate between 7,000 and 8,000 new homes by 2041. The Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community remains a key part of this and we expect to hear from the Planning Inspector imminently on the next steps.

However, housing is more than mere numbers, it’s about the people who call those houses home. That is why I am particularly proud of the completion of the Spendells House project in Walton-on-the-Naze. What was once an outdated sheltered housing block has been transformed into 32 modern flats, providing safe and stable accommodation for families experiencing homelessness. The first families moved in just in time for Christmas, a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.

In Lawford, the Honeycroft project has delivered 13 high-quality, energy-efficient homes designed for older residents, allowing them to remain in their community. Former tenants have returned to modern, comfortable homes and their gratitude speaks volumes. As a result of this development, and residents/tenants re-sizing, six council properties were released back into our housing stock, for allocation to those residents requiring such properties.

This is what delivering for Tendring looks like, planning for future growth, while making a real difference in people’s lives today.

Tendring’s natural beauty is one of its greatest assets and we are determined to protect and enhance it for generations to come. Our Climate Change Action Plan, adopted this past year, is already driving real change, with new initiatives taking shape across the district. Meanwhile, we are strengthening our commitment to conservation, ensuring that our historic landscapes and cherished green spaces remain places of pride and inspiration. Through our Sports and Activity Strategy, we are encouraging residents to step outside, get active and enjoy the stunning open spaces that make Tendring unique.

Our heritage is not just something we preserve; it is something we celebrate. The iconic Dovercourt Leading Lights are undergoing a vital assessment, funded by Historic England, to secure their future. We will soon unveil the Tendring Witch Heritage Trail, an immersive journey through our district’s past, bringing to life the rich and often untold stories that shape our history. This is about more than preserving the past, it is about making history a living, breathing part of our community’s future.

Arts and culture are the soul of our community and nowhere is this more evident than at the Princes Theatre. Last season’s pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, did not just entertain, it astonished, setting a new gold standard with breathtaking laser shows and immersive 3D effects. The reaction was electric, proving once again that the Princes Theatre is a premier destination for top-tier performances.

But we haven’t stopped at the stage. Behind the scenes, we have invested in our performers, ensuring they have the facilities to match their talent. The theatre’s changing rooms have been transformed with new makeup desks, bright modern lighting, and upgraded amenities now standing as a testament to our commitment to excellence. And the best part? Not a single penny of council tax was spent as this investment was fully funded through the restoration fee on tickets.

With every curtain rise, the Princes Theatre strengthens our cultural landscape, enriches our community and proves that the arts in Tendring are thriving.

I cannot stand here tonight without celebrating the power of our partnerships. Working together is what drives real change and partnerships are at the heart of our success. From joining forces with the Integrated Care Board to improve community health, to collaborating with Essex Police to enhance safety, we are building strong, dynamic relationships that deliver real results. Our work with Sport England is inspiring active lifestyles, while our strategic partnerships with businesses, education providers and cultural organisations are fueling long-term prosperity. Tendring has a proven track record of bringing people together, unlocking opportunities and achieving more than any of us could alone.

None of the work that we do is possible without our dedicated workforce and I extend my gratitude to our remarkable staff. Their commitment is seen in everything we do, big and small, as an authority, from the biggest projects I have outlined tonight to the day-in, day-out support they provide to residents, from cutting the grass to helping housing tenants.

Earlier this year, I attended our staff awards and was struck by the sheer number of long-service awards showing 30 and 35 years of commitment to public service. Their dedication is the backbone of this Council and despite the uncertainty caused by future re-organisation, all our staff continue to perform and deliver to the highest standards. I want to place on record my thanks to each and every one of them.

This Council has always risen to the challenges before it. Now, we face perhaps our biggest challenge yet, Local Government Reorganisation.

Not all of us would have chosen this path, but it is the path we are on. The question is not whether change will come, but how we ensure that Tendring emerges stronger. I am grateful for the cross-party support in the Chief Executive and I to ensure that we, as a council, are in the best possible position to make sure Tendring’s voice is heard.

One of the most immediate steps in this journey is our Community Governance Review, exploring the creation of a town council for the unparished areas of Clacton, Holland-on-Sea and Jaywick Sands. This is about ensuring that local voices remain at the centre of decision making, because whatever comes next, our duty is to the people of Tendring.

In summary Chairman, Tendring has a proud history, but more importantly, it has a bright future.

We have built a legacy of delivery, of strong financial management, of embracing innovation and opportunity. We have shown time and again that we can rise to the challenges before us, and as we face the future, we do so with confidence.

We will not simply be passengers in this new era of local government. We will help to shape it, because our mission remains unchanged: to deliver, to protect, and to stand: as our motto says - pro bono omnium - for the good of all.

Thank you.”

Councillor Plattspoke in the debate on the Leader’s statement.

Council noted the foregoing.