The Southend on Sea Local Bus Forum met to discuss the Southend Enhanced Partnership Plan 2023-2028 and Southend Enhanced Partnership Scheme. The forum was scheduled to discuss bus route developments, receive an update on Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) grant funding from the Department for Transport (DfT), and endorse a candidate for Chair of the Local Bus Board. The meeting was also an opportunity for members of the public to raise questions or comments.

Bus Route Developments

The forum was scheduled to discuss the approach to proposed bus route developments for 2025-26 and beyond. Documents in the report pack stated that the council's approach to improving the bus network was not expected to change, and that the council would continue to make changes to make the bus network more accessible, comprehensive and integrated.

The report pack outlined changes that have been implemented since April 2025:

• Evening services have been added to Route 2A, which runs between Shoeburyness and Southend, Route 6, which runs between Southend Temple Sutton and Garon Park, and Route 29, which runs between Southend Belgrave Road and Southend Travel Centre.
• Services have been reintroduced on sections of road where there is known to be demand. The Route 17/17A, which runs between Leigh-on-Sea and Southend, has been extended to reconnect the Highlands Estate and West Leigh with the city centre. Route 3A operates between Leigh, Rectory Grove and Southend Travel Centre.
• A new route, Route 23A/23B – Leigh Link, has been introduced to connect residents between Leigh-on-Sea and London Southend Airport & Airport Business Park.

The report pack also stated that the council would explore a tender for a new service between Shoeburyness Town Centre and Southend Airport, and between Thorpe Bay and Southend Airport.

Bus Service Improvement Plan Grant Funding

The forum was scheduled to receive an update on the Bus Service Improvement Plan grant funding offered by the DfT for 2025-26.

Southend-on-Sea City Council was expected to receive £2,541,467, consisting of £1,762,541 in capital funding and £778,926 in revenue funding. The revenue funding was increased by £63,000 from the initial advice.

The DfT is currently developing a new funding formula ahead of producing the funding allocations for 2026/27 onwards, with the allocation expected to be announced in Autumn 2025.

Nomination of Chair of Local Bus Board

The forum was scheduled to consider the endorsement of a candidate for Chair of the Local Bus Board.

The existing Chair of the Local Bus Board, Jennie Martin MBE, Chair of Bus Users UK¹, had confirmed her willingness to continue as Local Bus Board Chair for another 6 months.

Other candidates for the position of Local Bus Board Chair for the period to March 2025 could be proposed by Forum Members at the Forum meeting.