Cllr Matt Dent
@cllrdent.bsky.social
Labour & Co-op councillor for Kursaal ward, Southend City Council. Cabinet member for Business, Culture, Music & Tourism.
[email protected]/01702 212372
[email protected]/01702 212372
Pinned
Cllr Matt Dent
@cllrdent.bsky.social
· Jan 1
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.
❖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.
🚧POTHOLE REPORTED FOR REPAIR🚧
This week I've spotted a number of potholes around #KursaalWard, which have been reported to Southend Council for repair. Fortunately, our budget for 2026/27 will put £13m into pothole repairs for the second year running.
This week I've spotted a number of potholes around #KursaalWard, which have been reported to Southend Council for repair. Fortunately, our budget for 2026/27 will put £13m into pothole repairs for the second year running.
February 7, 2026 at 2:30 PM
🚧POTHOLE REPORTED FOR REPAIR🚧
This week I've spotted a number of potholes around #KursaalWard, which have been reported to Southend Council for repair. Fortunately, our budget for 2026/27 will put £13m into pothole repairs for the second year running.
This week I've spotted a number of potholes around #KursaalWard, which have been reported to Southend Council for repair. Fortunately, our budget for 2026/27 will put £13m into pothole repairs for the second year running.
Today England are playing Wales at Twickenham, in our first game of this year's Six Nations!
Is this England's year? What's your score prediction?
Is this England's year? What's your score prediction?
February 7, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Today England are playing Wales at Twickenham, in our first game of this year's Six Nations!
Is this England's year? What's your score prediction?
Is this England's year? What's your score prediction?
🏡PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED THIS WEEK🏡
Each week I post details of any planning applications received by Southend Council in the past week, within #KursaalWard. This week there were three.
Each week I post details of any planning applications received by Southend Council in the past week, within #KursaalWard. This week there were three.
February 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM
🏡PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED THIS WEEK🏡
Each week I post details of any planning applications received by Southend Council in the past week, within #KursaalWard. This week there were three.
Each week I post details of any planning applications received by Southend Council in the past week, within #KursaalWard. This week there were three.
The first Saturday of the month is Crafty Kids at Southchurch Library! This month your little ones can craft adorable creatures from toilet rolls.
Available 09.00-13.00 and 14.00-16.00, whilst stocks last. Suitable for ages 4+, with parental supervision. £1 per child.
Available 09.00-13.00 and 14.00-16.00, whilst stocks last. Suitable for ages 4+, with parental supervision. £1 per child.
February 6, 2026 at 10:30 AM
The first Saturday of the month is Crafty Kids at Southchurch Library! This month your little ones can craft adorable creatures from toilet rolls.
Available 09.00-13.00 and 14.00-16.00, whilst stocks last. Suitable for ages 4+, with parental supervision. £1 per child.
Available 09.00-13.00 and 14.00-16.00, whilst stocks last. Suitable for ages 4+, with parental supervision. £1 per child.
Something a bit different tonight...
In London to see Paddington the Musical, as a late Christmas present.
In London to see Paddington the Musical, as a late Christmas present.
February 5, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Something a bit different tonight...
In London to see Paddington the Musical, as a late Christmas present.
In London to see Paddington the Musical, as a late Christmas present.
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.
February 5, 2026 at 12:00 PM
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.
Could free mobile data help you?
If you're struggling to afford an internet connection, you could be eligible for free mobile data to help you get online. If you are 18+ years old, from a low-income household then you may be eligible. Find out at the Forum, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 15.00-17.00.
If you're struggling to afford an internet connection, you could be eligible for free mobile data to help you get online. If you are 18+ years old, from a low-income household then you may be eligible. Find out at the Forum, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 15.00-17.00.
February 5, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Could free mobile data help you?
If you're struggling to afford an internet connection, you could be eligible for free mobile data to help you get online. If you are 18+ years old, from a low-income household then you may be eligible. Find out at the Forum, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 15.00-17.00.
If you're struggling to afford an internet connection, you could be eligible for free mobile data to help you get online. If you are 18+ years old, from a low-income household then you may be eligible. Find out at the Forum, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 15.00-17.00.
🗣HEALTH OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE MEETING TONIGHT🗣
This evening at 18.30 the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Southend Council will be meeting to discuss the items on the agenda.
This evening at 18.30 the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Southend Council will be meeting to discuss the items on the agenda.
February 5, 2026 at 8:30 AM
🗣HEALTH OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE MEETING TONIGHT🗣
This evening at 18.30 the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Southend Council will be meeting to discuss the items on the agenda.
This evening at 18.30 the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Southend Council will be meeting to discuss the items on the agenda.
The next @projectsouthchurch.bsky.social community meeting will be held on Thursday 19 February, between 19.00 and 21.00, at Belle Vue Baptist Church.
Come along and hear updates from Project Southchurch, Essex Police, local councillors and more.
Come along and hear updates from Project Southchurch, Essex Police, local councillors and more.
February 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM
The next @projectsouthchurch.bsky.social community meeting will be held on Thursday 19 February, between 19.00 and 21.00, at Belle Vue Baptist Church.
Come along and hear updates from Project Southchurch, Essex Police, local councillors and more.
Come along and hear updates from Project Southchurch, Essex Police, local councillors and more.
Beecroft Cinema Club presents: "Kids Flicks", screening family friendly films, every half term and school holidays.
The first showing will be on Wed 18 Feb, with Dreamworks' animated classic 'How to Train Your Dragon' (2010).
Doors open from 10.30 and the film will start promptly at 11.00.
The first showing will be on Wed 18 Feb, with Dreamworks' animated classic 'How to Train Your Dragon' (2010).
Doors open from 10.30 and the film will start promptly at 11.00.
February 4, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Beecroft Cinema Club presents: "Kids Flicks", screening family friendly films, every half term and school holidays.
The first showing will be on Wed 18 Feb, with Dreamworks' animated classic 'How to Train Your Dragon' (2010).
Doors open from 10.30 and the film will start promptly at 11.00.
The first showing will be on Wed 18 Feb, with Dreamworks' animated classic 'How to Train Your Dragon' (2010).
Doors open from 10.30 and the film will start promptly at 11.00.
Of course, the existence of groundhogs, implies the existence of air, water and firehogs too.
February 3, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Of course, the existence of groundhogs, implies the existence of air, water and firehogs too.
🍽SOUTHEND FOOD BANK'S MOST NEEDED ITEMS THIS WEEK🍽
This week, the items @southendfoodbank.bsky.social most urgently need are:
🍅Tinned tomatoes
🥣Vegetable soup
🥔Instant mash
🥣Breakfast cereal
🌽Cans of Sweetcorn
🛍And strong re-useable carrier bags
This week, the items @southendfoodbank.bsky.social most urgently need are:
🍅Tinned tomatoes
🥣Vegetable soup
🥔Instant mash
🥣Breakfast cereal
🌽Cans of Sweetcorn
🛍And strong re-useable carrier bags
February 3, 2026 at 10:30 AM
🍽SOUTHEND FOOD BANK'S MOST NEEDED ITEMS THIS WEEK🍽
This week, the items @southendfoodbank.bsky.social most urgently need are:
🍅Tinned tomatoes
🥣Vegetable soup
🥔Instant mash
🥣Breakfast cereal
🌽Cans of Sweetcorn
🛍And strong re-useable carrier bags
This week, the items @southendfoodbank.bsky.social most urgently need are:
🍅Tinned tomatoes
🥣Vegetable soup
🥔Instant mash
🥣Breakfast cereal
🌽Cans of Sweetcorn
🛍And strong re-useable carrier bags
Southend Council is holding a resident information event tomorrow (Wednesday 4 February) on the Better Queensway project, focused on the highway aspects.
Taking place at Barringtons, on Sutton Road, the meeting will start at 18.00 and will consist of a presentation, followed by a Q&A session.
Taking place at Barringtons, on Sutton Road, the meeting will start at 18.00 and will consist of a presentation, followed by a Q&A session.
February 3, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Southend Council is holding a resident information event tomorrow (Wednesday 4 February) on the Better Queensway project, focused on the highway aspects.
Taking place at Barringtons, on Sutton Road, the meeting will start at 18.00 and will consist of a presentation, followed by a Q&A session.
Taking place at Barringtons, on Sutton Road, the meeting will start at 18.00 and will consist of a presentation, followed by a Q&A session.
It was a pleasure at the weekend to attend the launch of Souvenirs and Suburbia, the artwork by local artist Lu Williams, taking pride of place at Victoria Gateway, at the entrance to the High Street.
February 2, 2026 at 1:30 PM
It was a pleasure at the weekend to attend the launch of Souvenirs and Suburbia, the artwork by local artist Lu Williams, taking pride of place at Victoria Gateway, at the entrance to the High Street.
Every Tuesday morning, from 10.00 to 13.00, come and work on your crafting projects at Southchurch Library.
Crafty Crusaders welcomes all to work on your projects in the warm and relaxing atmosphere of the library, alongside like-minded crafters.
Crafty Crusaders welcomes all to work on your projects in the warm and relaxing atmosphere of the library, alongside like-minded crafters.
February 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Every Tuesday morning, from 10.00 to 13.00, come and work on your crafting projects at Southchurch Library.
Crafty Crusaders welcomes all to work on your projects in the warm and relaxing atmosphere of the library, alongside like-minded crafters.
Crafty Crusaders welcomes all to work on your projects in the warm and relaxing atmosphere of the library, alongside like-minded crafters.
Imagine claiming to be a trekkie but being so ideologically blinkered that you can't enjoy one of the best episodes of Star Trek in...decades.
#StarTrek #StarTrekStarfleetAcademy #SFA #StarfleetAcademy
#StarTrek #StarTrekStarfleetAcademy #SFA #StarfleetAcademy
February 2, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Imagine claiming to be a trekkie but being so ideologically blinkered that you can't enjoy one of the best episodes of Star Trek in...decades.
#StarTrek #StarTrekStarfleetAcademy #SFA #StarfleetAcademy
#StarTrek #StarTrekStarfleetAcademy #SFA #StarfleetAcademy
🚧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.
The following highway works are scheduled for this week either in #KursaalWard, or close enough to Kursaal ward to potentially affect residents.
February 2, 2026 at 10:30 AM
🚧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.
The following highway works are scheduled for this week either in #KursaalWard, or close enough to Kursaal ward to potentially affect residents.
🗣📅SOUTHEND COUNCIL MEETINGS THIS WEEK📅🗣
This week there is one meeting taking place at Southend Council.
This week there is one meeting taking place at Southend Council.
February 2, 2026 at 9:00 AM
🗣📅SOUTHEND COUNCIL MEETINGS THIS WEEK📅🗣
This week there is one meeting taking place at Southend Council.
This week there is one meeting taking place at Southend Council.
The #KursaalWard councillors hold two community advice surgeries each month. For February these will be:
🗣️10.00 to 11.00 on Saturday 14 Feb, at Belle Vue Baptist Church.
🗣️16.30 to 17.30 on Thursday 19 Feb, at Southend Adult Community College.
No appointment is required.
🗣️10.00 to 11.00 on Saturday 14 Feb, at Belle Vue Baptist Church.
🗣️16.30 to 17.30 on Thursday 19 Feb, at Southend Adult Community College.
No appointment is required.
February 1, 2026 at 1:30 PM
The #KursaalWard councillors hold two community advice surgeries each month. For February these will be:
🗣️10.00 to 11.00 on Saturday 14 Feb, at Belle Vue Baptist Church.
🗣️16.30 to 17.30 on Thursday 19 Feb, at Southend Adult Community College.
No appointment is required.
🗣️10.00 to 11.00 on Saturday 14 Feb, at Belle Vue Baptist Church.
🗣️16.30 to 17.30 on Thursday 19 Feb, at Southend Adult Community College.
No appointment is required.
A somewhat soggy, but positive, morning on the doorsteps in #KursaalWard, speaking to residents and picking up casework and local issues.
Working hard for residents all year round, and in all weathers!
Working hard for residents all year round, and in all weathers!
February 1, 2026 at 12:27 PM
A somewhat soggy, but positive, morning on the doorsteps in #KursaalWard, speaking to residents and picking up casework and local issues.
Working hard for residents all year round, and in all weathers!
Working hard for residents all year round, and in all weathers!
This afternoon I attended the launch of Anne Terry House, HARP's new facility on the High Street.
January 31, 2026 at 3:00 PM
This afternoon I attended the launch of Anne Terry House, HARP's new facility on the High Street.
The Big Up Southend market returns this weekend.
Between 11.00 and 16.00 on Saturday 31 January, on the ground floor of The Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend will be a selection of small businesses and makers selling their wares.
Why not come on down and check it out?
Between 11.00 and 16.00 on Saturday 31 January, on the ground floor of The Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend will be a selection of small businesses and makers selling their wares.
Why not come on down and check it out?
January 30, 2026 at 12:00 PM
The Big Up Southend market returns this weekend.
Between 11.00 and 16.00 on Saturday 31 January, on the ground floor of The Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend will be a selection of small businesses and makers selling their wares.
Why not come on down and check it out?
Between 11.00 and 16.00 on Saturday 31 January, on the ground floor of The Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend will be a selection of small businesses and makers selling their wares.
Why not come on down and check it out?
🏡PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED THIS WEEK🏡
Each week I post details of any planning applications received by Southend Council in the past week, within #KursaalWard. This week there were five.
Each week I post details of any planning applications received by Southend Council in the past week, within #KursaalWard. This week there were five.
January 30, 2026 at 11:30 AM
🏡PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED THIS WEEK🏡
Each week I post details of any planning applications received by Southend Council in the past week, within #KursaalWard. This week there were five.
Each week I post details of any planning applications received by Southend Council in the past week, within #KursaalWard. This week there were five.
Every Saturday morning, @southendlibraries.bsky.social host free drop in brick building sessions for ages 4+, from 10.00 to 12.00 at:
📚Kent Elms Library
📚Leigh Library
📚Shoeburyness Library
📚Southchurch Library
📚Westcliff Library
All children should be accompanied by a parent or carer.
📚Kent Elms Library
📚Leigh Library
📚Shoeburyness Library
📚Southchurch Library
📚Westcliff Library
All children should be accompanied by a parent or carer.
January 30, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Every Saturday morning, @southendlibraries.bsky.social host free drop in brick building sessions for ages 4+, from 10.00 to 12.00 at:
📚Kent Elms Library
📚Leigh Library
📚Shoeburyness Library
📚Southchurch Library
📚Westcliff Library
All children should be accompanied by a parent or carer.
📚Kent Elms Library
📚Leigh Library
📚Shoeburyness Library
📚Southchurch Library
📚Westcliff Library
All children should be accompanied by a parent or carer.