250-year lease agreed without council debate

The Kursaal has stood on Southend seafront since 1901

A 250-year lease for an iconic seaside venue was agreed without debate by councillors, a Freedom of Information Request has revealed.

The FOI request to Southend-on-Sea City Council found that a 199-year lease for the Kursaal was signed with Rowallan Group in 1998 before a new 250-year agreement with AEW was signed in March 2018.

Lee Clark, from Southend's Confelicity Party, who submitted the request, said "residents need to know" why the lease was given "because it's disgusting to see such an iconic building crumbling before our eyes".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, AEW said it was "very keen to find a viable solution for its long-term future".

At the time the agreement was made, the authority was under a Conservative administration, but the current council says the matter "did not go to cabinet or any other council committee" and was signed off by council officers under "delegated authority per the constitution".

It was unclear whether councillors were aware of the extension.

Members of the council and Bayo Alaba, Labour MP for Southend East and Rochford, have held meetings with AEW over the future of the Grade II listed building, which opened in 1901.

Mr Clark added: "I have faith we will have the Kursaal back, but it should have been given to someone who cares, who understands what Southend and the Kursaal means to so many people."

AEW said it was "very keen to find a viable solution for its long-term future, understanding the importance of this site to the local community".

The council and the Conservative Group have been approached for comment.