A blueprint shaping the future of Southend Pier will be drawn up "as soon as possible", council leader Charles Latham has pledged.

The new Conservative administration is "absolutely determined" to spearhead a long-term strategy for both ends of the landmark and the adjoining foreshore, he said on Thursday.

Mr Latham spoke after the fifth anniversary of the blaze which gutted the former AMF bowling alley on the pier.

He said: "We simply have to make progress to ensure that Southend gets the best out of its most famous asset.

"It is no good doing bits here and there unless it is clear what the overall intention is for the long term. All that will happen is that the council will finish up in a muddle, which has happened in the past."

A major public consultation is already under way to gauge public feeling over the future of the pier.

Prospective developers, campaigners and residents will be invited to make a presentation to a special scrutiny committee of councillors who will eventually approve the new strategy.

Echo editor Martin McNeill has been asked to address the committee on July 4. The Echo has been campaigning for a major regeneration of the pier.

John Dallaway, Southend Council's director of leisure services, said: "To ensure that a coherent policy is developed which harnesses the ideas of the community, a series of meetings are to be held in late June or July.

"These meetings are intended to enable council members to have the opportunity to hear views and proposals from businesses, prospective developers, tourist-related organisations and members of the public."

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