The Council is asked to note any statements made by members of the Cabinet (Portfolio Holders).

Councillors may then ask questions of the Portfolio Holders on their statements.

33^rd Clacton Air Show – August 2026

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration & Tourism (Councillor I J Henderson) made the following statement:-

“I wish to make a statement to Councillors on the back of the fantastic and successful Air Show which has just taken place. Once again, we had two days of thrilling flying displays, ground attractions and family entertainment. This was the 33^rd Airshow that the Council has put on. We estimate that around 215,000 people attended over the two days and the theme for this year was “A celebration of aviation” and it certainly shone through the programme throughout that time.

We had the headline favourites such as the Red Arrows, over the two days with their precision flying, which the crowd loves as one of their favourites, and we had the heritage flights of two Spitfires, marking the 90^th anniversary of the Spitfire’s first flight.

We had added flights also to that. We had the bonus of a new flight – G-Force Aerobatics – and we had a MiG-17. The most special flight that I saw was the “Sally B”, the B-17 Flying Fortress, the last airworthy B-17, that provided one of the stand-out moments of the programme and added a powerful piece of living aviation history to the skies above Clacton.

Madam Chairman, we had the twilight flights, for residents and visitors, one of their favourite occasions in the year. The Air Show is one of the biggest calendar events of our summer and it is much loved by everyone. But to see those twilight flights – the Firebirds Aerobatic Team and the favourite Otto the Helicopter with its pyrotechnics and fireworks lighting up the sky over Clacton seafront – it was a memorable occasion.

But we also need to remember that it is not just about the brilliant spectacle in the sky. It was a celebration of aviation, our seafront, our local economy, and the thousands of visitors, local residents, local businesses, volunteers, sponsors and partners who all help make the event such a success each year.

On that note, I want to thank the sponsors – Red Nova IT Solutions; Actual Radio (who brought the sound and excitement of the airshow to audiences beyond the seafront); LocaliQ; Black Jacket; Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP; MRL Productions; Freeport East; The Lifehouse PH; Central Connect and Aspen Fire & Rescue.

I also want to say a big thank you to Jessica Bryan, the Airshow’s event director and her brilliant supporting team. We know that once the Air Show has completed its second day that they start planning again for the next year and they are already looking at exciting opportunities for 2027. I want to mention two members of the event team who were unfortunately missing over the two days due to family bereavements, so I want to give a special thank you to Sarah Daniells and Joanne Needham for helping to make the Airshow such a success in the leadup to the event.

I want to thank too Council staff across every department who worked tirelessly to make the event such a success – selling programmes; collecting donations – and not forgetting the emergency services and the volunteers and traders on the Greensward.

One of the biggest attractions on the Greensward was the replica Typhoon cockpit – it was fantastic to see children, parents, people getting into that cockpit and seeing for themselves what it feels like and what the pilot can see and do.

And not forgetting David Walton of TSA Consultants Ltd., the Air Show Display Director who plays a really important role making sure everything goes to plan on the day. Finally, I’d like to say a big thank you to Air Marshal Phillip Osborn for all his support being the scenes and on the day. I know how much Air Marshal Osborn does to support us and make sure that we’ve got the right aircraft and some of the groundwork which he does to make sure that the Greensward has got the right attractions as well so a big thank you to him as well.

I’m sure that all Members give a big thanks to all the staff and look forward to next year’s two day Air Show and that it will be as exciting as this year’s show.”

Beach Patrol Service

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Public Realm (Councillor Barry) made the following statement:-

“Chairman, I would like to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to the members of staff of our Beach Patrol team and recognise them for everything they have done to help keep residents and visitors safe along our coastline this summer - which has been particularly busy due to the prolonged hot weather we have experienced, with some media suggesting this could be the hottest UK summer on record.

The Essex Sunshine Coast is one of our District’s greatest assets. Every year, tens of thousands of people come to enjoy our beaches, but we also know that the sea can be unpredictable and that conditions can change very quickly.

Throughout the summer, our Beach Patrol staff have worked incredibly hard, often in busy and challenging conditions. Much of their most important work is preventative. It is about spotting potential dangers early, speaking to people before they get into difficulty, encouraging swimmers to remain within safe areas and moving people away from piers, groynes, breakwaters and other coastal structures.

Initial figures covering July and August show the scale of that work. Across our beaches, the team recorded 4,525 occasions when safety advice was given to members of the public, provided first aid on 44 occasions, and worked jointly with the emergency services in relation to 42 incidents. The figures also record 64 rescues during July and August. These are initial figures, they do not include the recent Clacton Airshow and the Bank Holiday period - nor the additional step-up patrols we put in place earlier in the season due to the hot weather - and due to the nature of the work there will inevitably be some gaps and 'tidying up' of the data to be completed.

The team’s work is not limited to responding to incidents. A key part of their role is helping people understand how to stay safe in and around the water. This summer, the Council also supported the Swim Safe programme, with more than 530 young people taking part in sessions designed to teach vital open-water safety skills and what to do if they or someone else gets into difficulty.

The whole team has worked with professionalism and vigilance throughout a relentlessly hot summer period. They have shown the value of prevention and education in offering safety guidance, providing first aid and stepping in when people get into difficulty.

Sadly, we must also acknowledge that there have been tragic fatalities here and elsewhere on the Essex coast this summer.

First and foremost, our thoughts are with the families and friends of everyone affected by these tragic incidents. They have been heartbreaking for the communities involved, and I want to echo the condolences previously expressed.

The responsibility for staying safe at the coast is one we all share, but I hope Council will join me in recognising the dedication of our Beach Patrol team. Their work is not limited to the moments when a rescue is required. It is also found in the thousands of quieter interventions which prevent incidents from happening in the first place.

On behalf of Tendring District Council, I would like to place on record our sincere thanks to every member of the Beach Patrol team, and also to the emergency services and partner organisations who have worked alongside them throughout the summer.

Their commitment, professionalism and public service have made a real difference throughout the season, and we are extremely grateful to them.”