See Page 10 For Details July 2012
www.basildon.gov.uk
Free tickets, discounted food and drink and priority booking when you become a Towngate Theatre member
COUNCIL SETS OUT NEW VISION AND PROMISES FIVE KEY PROMISES CREATING OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL PEOPLE
THE LEADER of Basildon Council has unveiled an exciting new vision for the next four years, which will seek to create opportunity for local people. The pledge is underpinned by five key promises and these will form the basis of everything that this council does for the next four years. Cllr Tony Ball, leader of the council says: “I believe our challenge and our job is to do the best for local people – That means creating opportunity for our area and our local people. Local government is changing. It is no longer our only job to simply provide services, and that is getting harder as we have less and less money. Our job is to work together with our partners, local people and everyone who has a stake in our area to create the environment where everyone can thrive. “That job has become less about simply doing things for people and more about creating the opportunity for people to do things for themselves.” CONTINUES ON PAGE FOUR
Olympic Torch Comes To Basildon
Olympic Torch at Basildon Sporting Village
TENS of thousands of people were out in force on the streets of Basildon as the Olympic Flame passed through the borough on its nationwide journey towards the Olympic Park in East London. The Olympic Torch Relay even made an indoor appearance when it
visited the Basildon Sporting Village’s swimming pool where the Japanese Olympic Swimming Team are currently training for the Games (see back page for details). It is estimated that more than 300,000 people in South Essex turned out to see the Olympic Torch Relay.
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JULY 2012
Mayor’s Message from Cllr Mo Larkin To comment on any story in this edition of the Borough Diary, please write to: Michelle Edwards-Norcisse, Editor, Borough Diary, Basildon Borough Council, The Basildon Centre, St. Martin’s Square, Basildon, Essex SS14 1DL, or email michelle.edwards-norcisse@ basildon.gov.uk. About the Borough Diary: This newspaper is produced by the Marketing and Communications team at Basildon Borough Council. It is published four times a year and delivered free to almost 80,000 homes in Basildon, Billericay and Wickford. Advertise in the Borough Diary: To advertise or enquire about rates and deadlines, call 01268 294201. Basildon Council accepts no responsibility for the content of any advertisement published in the Borough Diary and the inclusion of any advertisement does not imply approval or recommendation by the Council of either the terms of any offer or service contained in it or of the advertiser. Other formats: To receive the Borough Diary in large print, Braille or spoken word format, please call 01268 294590.
Mayor of Basildon Borough Council In May I was delighted to present cheques totalling nearly £20,000 to four local charities St Luke’s Hospice, St Martin’s Church (Project 58:7), Age Matters and Home–Start Basildon. It was a pleasure to support and attend various events over the past year to raise much needed funds to help them continue their work within the community. This year I will also be supporting Cllr Malcolm Buckley’s Neuro Appeal to help purchase essential equipment for the Essex Neuro Surgical Unit at Queen’s Hospital, Romford. With the London 2012 games later this month, it was wonderful for Basildon to join in the celebrations with hundreds of local school children getting together for their own mini Olympic games, and dance and gymnastic event at the Play Your Part Festival in May. See page nine for more on this. The Olympic Torch Relay recently passed through Basildon as 8000 runners carried the flame over 8000 miles spanning 70 days on its way to the Olympic Park in East London. We had a fantastic turnout as residents lined the route to cheer not just this historic event of the flame coming to the borough, but also the torchbearers, who have been given the honour of carrying it on its journey to Stratford. I was delighted to welcome the Japanese Olympic swimming team to Basildon, having chosen the Sporting Village’s Olympic sized swimming pool to train ahead of the games later this month. I recently met with Fumiyo Minemura, head coach of the Japanese Paralympic swim squad, and she was quite impressed with the modern sporting
Mayor Mo Larkin with members of the Japanese Olympic Swimming Team
facilities we have at the centre. See the back page for more on the Japanese swimming team. Finally, I was extremely touched to be awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM), as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year in recognition of those who engage in ‘hands on’ voluntary work within their community. I was honoured to be recognised for something I do not consider to be work, but rather a pleasure to serve and assist the people of the Basildon borough. As this exciting summer of activities continues, I wish you all a safe and fun-filled one.
LOCALS RISE TO RECYCLING CHALLENGE RESIDENTS of the Basildon Borough are being congratulated after achieving record recycling figures in the last twelve months. The recycling rate for last year has been recorded at 53%, an increase of 6% from the previous year, and smashing through the target of 50% which was set three years ago. Almost 40,000 tonnes of waste have been diverted from landfill through either pink sack, green bin, orange box and/ or recycling centre services. This is the equivalent weight of 5,714 double-decker London buses. Cllr John Dornan, Basildon Council’s cabinet member for environment, thanked residents for their continued support in achieving the target. He said: “I would like to thank residents of the borough for this great achievement. Every pink sack, green bin or orange box put out last year helped to make this achievement possible and has in turn saved householder’s money as recycling is cheaper than sending waste to landfill. “In the last three years we have improved collections whilst delivering almost £1.5 million pounds of savings.
“In order to support our residents, Basildon Council has doubled pink sack collections from fortnightly to weekly and increased the amount of materials which can be placed in the pink sacks to include long life cartons, aluminium foil and jar lids. “We have also increased services with 100% of properties now getting at least two recycling services. “However, we will not rest on our laurels and are aiming high once again by expanding our services to schools and getting the borough’s new housing estates on board. “Over 80% of all household waste can be recycled using Basildon Council’s collection schemes and I would urge all residents to do a little bit more in order to keep increasing the recycling rate further. “Recycling more allows us to keep council tax low, as well as benefiting our environment.” The council has also begun separating recycling from litter bins and is carrying out a programme of door knocking and communications across the borough throughout the year. For more information visit www.basildon. gov.uk/recycling.
Recycling officer Alastair Kay
JULY 2012
CRUNCH TIMES The Crunch Service is a mobile waste disposal facility that tours the borough which residents can use to dispose of bulkier items of rubbish. Locations marked with a G can also be used for the disposal of green waste. The Crunch Service is not suitable for paints, oils or other waste liquids.
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PAY BY PHONE PARKING
The Crunch is from 9am to noon at each site, unless otherwise stated. 21 July Wickford - Bruce Grove *G* o/s Shotgate Community Hall Laindon - Noak Bridge Coppice Lane Langdon Hills - Valence Way Junction with Debden Green Vange - Gordon Road Layby near Helpeston 28 July Pitsea Mount Brackendale Avenue Billericay - Hannikins Farm *G* Laindon Link - Monastery Dr. Barstable - Barstable Club Long Riding
4 August Crays Hill Recreation Ground Billericay - Little Burstead Car Park *G* Five Links - Laindon Link, Opposite Kingdom Hall Bowers Gifford - Westlake Path off Pound Lane 11 August Wickford - Keats Way *G* Opp. No. 3 Council Garage Area Lee Chapel North Markhams Chase Leisure Centre Northlands Park 18 August Ramsden Bellhouse Village Hall – Car Park *G* Laindon - Basildon Drive Junction with Dickens Dr. Fryerns – Ghyllgrove -Opp. the Upway- 9am-10.30am Barstable Club - Long Riding 10.30am-noon 25 August Laindon - King Edward Rd Billericay - Carvers Wood Langdon Hills - Triangle Shops Pitsea - Kenneth Road Layby 9 September Wickford - Bruce Grove *G* O/s Shotgate Community Hall Billericay - St. David’s Walk Craylands – Lichfields Lee Chapel South - The Knares Service Area rear of 58-92
Bemrosebooth representative next to one of the pay by phone parking signs
PHONE and pay parking is coming to a high street near you. Basildon Council has introduced the service in Wickford and Billericay, in partnership with Bemrosebooth mobile ltd, specialists in cashless parking solutions Cllr John Dornan, cabinet member for environment, said: “This service is ideal for business users and should make life easier on a daily basis. “It will also be more convenient to frequent
visitors who will no longer need to worry about carrying change when they can simply register their card and pay by phone.” The service can be accessed by registering a card and calling a number to get the cost of parking charged to the card for the length of time you would like to park, subject to a 20p booking fee. Bookings can also be carried out through the Bemrosebooth mobile phone app which is available for both Apple and Android
smartphones. A text reminder can also be sent to remind you of when your parking is running out, and parking enforcement officers receive live updates showing who has paid to park. The service will be run at no cost to the council. The service will run in Billericay High Street, Radford Crescent, Billericay, Wickford High Street, Wickford Swimming Pool, and the Ladygate Centre car parks. For details visit www.phoneandpay.co.uk.
BOROUGH CELEBRATES QUEEN’S JUBILEE OVER 50 street parties and events have been held as part of this year’s Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration. Basildon residents got into the swing of things with 40 street parties, four Jubilee beacon lighting events and a number of community events to mark the weekend festivities in June. Basildon was part of the national beacon lighting celebrations which saw a network of over 4000 beacons being lit across the UK and the Commonwealth, with the Queen lighting the final beacon at the Jubilee concert held outside Buckingham Place. Howard Park, Pitsea was also renamed as part of the celebrations and will now be known as ‘Howard Diamond Jubilee Park’. Cllr Tony Ball, Leader of Basildon Council, said: “Basildon has a tradition of marking royal milestones and this one is no Street parties were held across the borough to mark the Jubilee different. “In the past we’ve renamed a different and renaming one of our parks. road, but on this occasion we wanted to mark “Howard Park is a well known locally and seemed the ideal choice for this honour.” the Jubilee by doing something a little bit
Home to the Pitsea War Memorial, Howard Park was dedicated by the Howard family to the people of Pitsea in 1947.
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JULY 2012
NEW VISION AND PROMISES Continues from front page....
What are our five promises and what do they mean? 1. We will deliver value for money Money is tight and many of our residents are feeling the pinch. The council has also had its funding severely cut so there is less to go around. We will spend every penny of local council taxpayer’s money as carefully as if it were our own. We will look to get things right first time, drive hard bargains with our suppliers and constantly look for better ways to do things to ensure that the money we spend gets the best possible deal for local people. 2. We will get the basics right Collecting the rubbish while ensuring our streets, parks and open spaces are kept clean and safe is a basic requirement but it affects everyone and we know it matters to local people. We will ensure that we continue to do this to the highest standard. 3. We will demand good public services In the past education, training opportunities and healthcare provision in our borough have not always been up to scratch.
This is not good enough. We will work tirelessly with partners at the County Council, the NHS and the voluntary sector to drive up standards. We will use all our influence and if necessary challenge our partners until we get what local people expect. 4. We will support and develop the local economy A healthy local economy is central to the quality of life in our Borough and an important source of employment for many of our residents. Along with our partners we will support our local businesses and provide the services they need to thrive so that Basildon is a truly business friendly borough. At the same time we will work hard to encourage more inward investment. 5. We will work to transform our borough We want Basildon to be a vibrant place to live. We will renew our town centres transforming them into places at the heart of our communities where people want to be. Across our borough we will use our planning powers so that we protect the green belt while allowing the building of the right number of new homes that people will want to live in.
BASILDON’S VOLUNTEERS CELEBRATED
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Wat Tyler lights up for Paralympic Celebration THE start of the Paralympic Games will be celebrated with a special event at Wat Tyler Country Park this August. The free family event, taking place at the Pitsea Park on Monday 27 August is one of a number of celebrations taking place across the country. The events are being held to celebrate the start of the Paralympic Games which run from Wednesday 29 August to Sunday 9 September. Cllr Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, said: “As with the Olympics it is incredible to have such a prestigious sporting event taking place on our doorstep, and we are very pleased to be joining the national celebrations. “There are a number of events taking place across the country, with light as the theme for the celebrations. To join the
festivities we will have a range of entertainment taking place throughout the day, including family activities, real ale marquee, live music and a unique light show, which is not to be missed!” Open from noon until 10pm, the event will see stalls, crafts and community entertainment running throughout the afternoon, culminating in two live bands and a special lightshow using one of the park’s historic cottages as a back-drop. For more information visit www.basildon.gov.uk
Wat Tyler Country Park
Tips for Safe Travelling by Taxi in Basildon Borough
Gina Andrews, who has been volunteering for over 25 years, won the Long Serving Volunteer award, sponsored by T. Cribbs and Sons. SEVEN outstanding local volunteers have been recognised for services to the community at Basildon Council’s Play Your Part Volunteers Awards. Cabinet member for community services, Cllr Terri Sargent, said: “Basildon Council’s Play Your Part Volunteers Awards ensures the unsung heroes in our community get the recognition they deserve for dedicating their time and effort towards making Basildon great. “Congratulations to all the worthy winners and nominees and a special thank you to the local businesses who sponsored individual awards.” Ricky McCarthy was awarded the Volunteering Through Adversity award, sponsored by Basildon Sporting Village. Ricky runs art and social drop-in groups in the Basildon area and has also organised picnics and free art studios. Tom Berry won the Young Volunteer award, sponsored by South Anglia Housing. Tom is 15 years old and volunteers his time as a film reviewer at
Gateway 97.8. He recently received the Diana Award for overcoming barriers to become an outstanding volunteer. Lee Chapel North Holiday Club was awarded the Team Volunteering award, sponsored by Basildon Community Safety Partnership. The club which has 800 members, was set up by John, Pamela and Gemma McKay who had a vision to provide local families with a holiday club that would bring the community together with all activities being free. John and Pamela McKay also won in the Volunteer Who Has Made An Outstanding Contribution and the Tony Guyon Memorial Cup awards respectively for being inspirational and passionate about the general work they do to make thje community a better place for all. There was also a special ‘Play Your Part’ badge awarded to Brian Jiggens who is a tireless, selfless volunteer for various causes. Brian, who has survived meningitis twice, is always cheerful, enthusiastic and positive.
1. Make sure there is a Basildon Council Licence Plate on the rear of the vehicle. Similar signs will be on the side doors. 2. Every licensed driver carries an I.D. badge. Ask to see it if you are in any doubt. 3. Don’t be overcharged. Taxis have to keep to maximum fares, private hire fares are to be agreed with driver or operator. 4. Don’t ask the driver to carry more passengers than is allowed. The number permitted is shown on the Licence Plate. 5. Taxis can be hailed down in the street or found at an official rank. Private Hire vehicles must be booked in advance. For more information, call 01268 294280 or email taxi.licensing@basildon.gov.uk
JULY 2012
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TOGETHER AGAINST CRIME THE BASILDON Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is hosting its annual Together Against Crime event this month. Taking place in the Basildon town centre on Thursday 26 July from 10am-4pm, local young performers will show off their talents on the ‘community stage’. Malcolm Buckley, cabinet member with responsibility for community safety, said: “We introduced the community stage to the event last year with over a hundred of the borough’s young people showcasing their talent through various dance acts and performances. “It is an excellent opportunity for young people to
perform in public and be seen as positive role models for other young members of the community.” Also at the event, representatives from the CSP including Basildon Council and Essex Police, will be providing residents with useful crime prevention tips and advice. Residents will also be able to find out more about the work of the CSP in reducing crime and anti social behaviour in the borough. If you are under the age of 19, live in the Basildon borough and would like the opportunity to perform on this years community stage, please email laura.fry@basildon.gov.uk or kaylie. hopcroft@basildon.gov.uk or call 01268 294512.
CSP DEMONSTRATE HOW TO LOCK BURGLARS OUT!
PC Colin McCable & Basildon Council’s Lisa Hopcroft demonstrate how to lift it and lock it
HUNDREDS of shoppers and passersby picked up tips and advice on securing their home against burglars, as part of the Basildon Community Safety Partnership’s (CSP) ‘Lift it, Lock it or Lose it’ roadshows. Council and police officers were on hand during a series of roadshows in Basildon and Pitsea to offer advice and demonstrate to residents how they should properly secure their door after it emerged that one
third of burglaries in the borough were as a result of UPVC doors not being locked properly. Kaylie Hopcroft, Basildon Council’s community safety officer, said: “We invited passers-by to come and have a go at locking the UPVC display door and we found that about half were doing it wrong, which would leave their property vulnerable to burglars. “Although it sounds really simple, residents with UPVC doors need to lift the handle, lock the door and then take the key out.” Cllr Malcolm Buckley, cabinet member with responsibility for community safety, said: “The impact burglary has on its victims is extremely traumatic. “We hope that this campaign will continue to encourage residents to take the necessary steps in properly securing their home so that there are fewer victims of this distressing crime.” Anyone seeking advice on securing their home can contact their local crime prevention officer at Essex Police on 101.
SOS Bus continues to serve local area THE SOS Bus, supported by the Basildon Community Safety Partnership, continues to provide a safe haven for vulnerable people at the Festival Leisure Park. The bus is staffed by volunteers between 9pm and 3am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday
nights and acts as a first point of contact for anyone who is injured, lost or vulnerable from the effects of alcohol or drugs. Anyone who is interested in volunteering on the SOS Bus should contact John Bastin on 07790 869003.
Together Against Crime Event
ANNUAL REPORT THE CSP has now published its 2011/12 annual report, outlining how the partnership has worked together over the past year to help make Basildon a safe place to live.
The CSP has delivered a number of successful projects to help tackle crime which has contributed to a 7.3% reduction in anti-social behaviour and a reduction in the fear of crime for the sixth year in a row. The document, which includes more information about the work of the CSP, can be downloaded at www.basildon.gov.uk/csp
CSP launch crime blitz in St Martins RESIDENTS in the St Martins ward are being encouraged to take an active role in their community and help stamp out crime and antisocial behaviour. A Community Safety Action Zone (CSAZ) has been set up by the Basildon Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to cover the Basildon town centre and surrounding areas. During the year long project, residents will be invited to regular public meetings to meet with representatives from the CSP to discuss and explore what projects could be put in place to have a big impact on the community. Previous Community Safety Action
POLICE STATION OPENING HOURS MANY of you will know that your local police station front office opening hours have changed recently. Basildon police station, Great
Zones across the borough have been successful in dealing with graffiti, running clean-up campaigns, establishing youth groups, removing abandoned vehicles and working with Community Payback to clear up neglected public areas. Anyone who lives or works in the St Martins area are encouraged to come along to a meeting to help combat any problems and help restore confidence back in the area. Meeting dates will be published on www.basildon.gov.uk in due course. For more information, please contact Kaylie Hopcroft, Community Safety Officer at Basildon Council on 01268 294512 or via email at kaylie.hopcroft@basildon.gov.uk Oaks, is open from 8am to midnight 7 days a week. You can also visit Pitsea station, on Rectory Road, and Billericay station, on the High Street, from 12noon to 6pm Monday to Saturdays. For non emergencies, you can contact your local police on 101 or call 999 during an emergency.
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JULY 2012
PITSEA’S ÂŁ1M BOOST PITSEA residents are to benefit from ÂŁ1m of funding made available by the Big Local Trust. The funding has been set aside for projects that make a massive and lasting positive difference to residents in the Pitsea area by bringing together local talent, skills and energy from individuals, groups and organisations who want to make the area an even better place to live. This ÂŁ1m funding is only for a specific geographical area situated within the boundary of Ashlyns, Rectory Road, Pitsea Road and High Road, Pitsea. Basildon Council’s cabinet member for community, Cllr Terri Sargent, said: “This money is for the community to use to address local issues. “It is not about physical regeneration, but about providing more opportunities to allow the community to work together to tackle local social issues and make a positive difference in the area.â€? For more information, or to get involved, contact Grant Taylor, Basildon Council’s community development officer by emailing: grant.taylor@ basildon.gov.uk or calling 01268 294513.
Pitsea map with funding area highlighted in red
LOCAL SERVICE DIRECTORY Beauty
Church
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SHELLAC NAILS
MINX NAILS ÂŁ20
1 HOUR DE-STRESSOR ÂŁ25 Call Penny on:
IT courses
Counselling
Forum
Southend Mind
ARISE, SHINE FOR YOUR LIGHT HAS COME ISAIAH 60v1
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MO AND MUCH
T WITH TREATMEN RT! YOUR 1st THIS ADVE
FREE PARKING at Eversley Leisure Centre, Pitsea, SS13 2EF
Come and join us and get a warm welcome Every Sunday 10am and 6.30pm Bible Study Tuesday 7.30pm Midweek Fellowship Wednesday 1.45pm Manor Mission Church, Manor Road, Laindon, Basildon www.manormissionchurch.org.uk
Local club
ARE YOU PREGNANT WITH TWINS OR MORE? Meet people in the same situation as you and enjoy a friendly chat and coffee at our nursery group! MONDAY’S 10.30AM TO NOON at THE CHRIST CHURCH, PERRY STREET, BILLERICAY £3 per family (inc. refreshments)
For better mental health
MINDFUL COUNSELLING is an established Private Service set up by Basildon Mind and adheres to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotheraphy Codes of Ethics and Practice. All Counsellors are fully qualified to a minimum of Diploma Level. Counselling appointments can be offered outside of normal office hours.
Want more influence... Want your views to count? Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans Live or Work in Basildon? ‡ 7DNH SDUW LQ RXU LQGHSHQGHQW VXUYH\ ‡ 0RQWKO\ 0HHWLQJV :RUNVKRSV Visit Text Ansa
ZZZ WHOO(*0 RUJ XN Supported by Basildon Council & ECC Millenium Fund
For further confidential information please telephone: Patricia Holdsworth B.Sc. Hons., Counselling Manager, on 01268 289344.
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To advertise here call the Sponsorship Officer on 01268 294201 or email sponsorship@basildon.gov.uk. As with all Borough Diary adverts, publication does not imply any guarantee of service or recommendation by the Council.
JULY 2012
COUNCILLOR SURGERIES Billericay East - Tony Archer 01277 657814, David Dadds 01277 829808, Stuart Sullivan 01268 560477. Surgery as Billericay West below. Billericay West - Anthony Hedley 01277 626198, Phil Turner 01277 633918, Daniel Lawrence 01277 657480. Last Saturday of the month (except December) 10.30am to 12.30pm at The Library, Billericay High Street. Burstead - Kevin Blake 01268 470597, Paul Arnold 07581 285525, Richard Moore 01277 627266. For details see the “In Touch” leaflet delivered to all households in Burstead Ward or contact by phone. Crouch - Stuart Allen 01268 284225, Terri Sargent 01268 288766. Surgeries on first Saturday of month, 9.30am to 10.30am, Noak Bridge Village Hall, Coppice Lane, Noak Bridge and third Saturday, 9am to 10am, Steeple View Memorial Hall, Willowfields. Fryerns - Alan Davies 01268 525406, Bill Archibald 01268 280593 & 07732 710088, Adele Brown -07791 109436. Laindon Park - John Dornan 01375 851639 & 07834 856231, Jilly Hyde 01268 414126, John Scarola 07984 943349. Langdon Hills - Sandra and Stephen Hillier 01268 490201. Lee Chapel North - Lynda Gordon 079673 33536, Nigel Smith 01268 545483, Alan Bennett 01277 626236. Nethermayne - Geoff Williams 01268 415348, Linda Williams 01268 415348. Surgeries on first Saturday of month at Vange Scout Hut, second Saturday at Kingswood Play Leadership building, third Saturday at Haven Close AP Scheme, fourth Saturday Lee Chapel South Comm. Centre, except August. All 10am to 11am. Andrew Gordon - 07817 865202, last Saturday of month at the Basildon Centre 2pm to 4pm. Pitsea North West - Ron Livesey 01268 470028. Roving surgery within the ward on the first Saturday of month. Keith Bobbin 01268 556158 or 07886 3573905, Gavin Callaghan 07908 698743 by appointment at The Place,Pitsea Leisure Centre, Northlands Pavement on second Saturday of month plus roving surgeries throughout ward. Pitsea South East - David Abrahall 01268 440082, Mo Larkin 01268 413936. Surgeries on second Monday of the month (except Bank Holidays), 6.30pm to 7.30pm, outside Pitsea Leisure Centre. NB. Private interview room available by appointment. Aidan McGurran 07710 613928 by appointment on second Saturday of month at The Place, Pitsea Leisure Centre plus roving surgeries. St Martin’s - Phil and Pat Rackley 01268 410700. Surgeries on first Monday and third Tuesday of month (except August), 2pm to 3pm at Basildon Community Resource Centre, 1 The Gore, Basildon. Vange - Daniel Munyambu 075515 26956. Byron Taylor 01268 419153. Wickford Castledon - Malcolm and Sylvia Buckley 01268 472586. Wickford North - Tony Ball 01268 454564, Carole Morris 01268 457488, Michael Mowe 01268 463564. Wickford Park - Don Morris 01268 457488. First Saturday of month from 9.30am to 11.30am at Noak Bridge, Village Hall, Coppice Lane, Noak Bridge and third Saturday of month, 10 - noon at Wickford Library. Christopher Jackman 01268 571843.
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£29M IN HOME IMPROVEMENTS
(L-R) Before modernisation and after
A MAJOR revamp of Basildon homes is in its second year with improvements planned for more than 11,000 properties in the borough. Basildon Council is continuing its five year investment programme where it is investing £112 million to improve and modernise its 11,000 plus housing stock. Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Landlord Services, Phil Turner, said: “This is the biggest programme of works we’ve ever undertaken and will help improve the quality of our housing stock and standard of living for our tenants.
“Improvements to gas central heating systems, windows and doors, will all help these homes become more efficient and green. This will also make them cheaper to run for the Council which could help lower costs for tenants. The council spent over £21 million last year in improving its housing stock and will be spending in excess of £29 million this year to continue the delivery of this much needed modernisation programme. In 2012/13, Basildon Council will be spending £4.5 million on replacing kitchens and
bathrooms, more than £3million on central heating installations and a further £3 million on the replacement of communal boilers. The council is also set to carry out almost £400,000 worth of external refurbishments to the flats above the shops in Whitmore Way, Basildon, which will vastly improve the look of the area. Also scheduled is a £3.5 million programme to carry out electrical upgrades and improve block lighting, and a £1.5million project to fit homes with new windows and doors.
CONTINENTAL WICKFORD
RETURNS THIS OCTOBER FOLLOWING the success of Wickford’s Continental Market early this year, European marker traders will be visiting the town again in October. A hit with residents and local traders alike, the market will be held on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 October 2012, and will offer a wide range of European products, such as Marseille soaps, children’s toys, pashminas and quality handbags and leather items. Leader of Basildon Council, Tony Ball, said: “We had such an overwhelmingly positive response from local traders and residents who saw the benefits of the increased trade, and a wider variety of products available in the market over the two days, that we decided to do it again!”
In the past year, the Basildon Borough recycled 53% of its household waste, almost 40,000 tonnes. A big thank you to everyone for helping to make this possible. Continental Market in WIckford
For more info please visit: www.basildon.gov.uk/recycling
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JULY 2012
COUNCIL OPPOSES PLANS NEW CABINET FOR COURTAULD ROAD THE following councillors make up Basildon Council’s Cabinet as of May 2012:
BASILDON Council has objected to controversial plans to build a waste management facility at Courtauld Road. The council’s cabinet formally approved objections to Essex County Council’s plans at a meeting in May. Cllr Richard Moore, cabinet member for planning, said: “This application is fundamentally flawed with not enough emphasis on the implications of all the extra lorry movements and the obvious environmental impact.” Cllr Malcolm Buckley, cabinet member for regeneration, has previously spoken out on the scheme. He added: “Basildon has been a dumping ground for Essex’s waste for the best part of a century. The council has opposed this scheme for many years since it was dreamt
up by someone living far away. “The unsuitability of the site and the reasons for locating the facility in the centre of the County still hold good. “We continue to object to any waste facility on the site and will again tell Essex in very clear and firm terms.” The cabinet report says locating such a large facility in an area where traffic congestion is already a major problem would be “unreasonable” and “ill conceived”. It also states Basildon has been a “reception point for waste” for around 100 years and that the borough has already made a “major contribution” to the waste disposal needs of the County. Basildon already hosts a major waste management facility in Pitsea.
Food Safety Freebie
If however, Basildon Council is unable to convince Essex County Council to scrap the plans, then it is requesting that restrictions and improvements are made to the development plans. Among these is that Pitsea Landfill Site is closed by 2015. The Council will also request that there is direct access to the site from the A127 to reduce traffic congestion as well as providing a new slip road giving direct access from the A127 to Eastmayne. The Council will also ask for a £500,000 compensatory payment to provide community facilities to offset the impact of the plant. It has also called for more studies to be undertaken into the possible harmful effects to air quality due to the work that will be carried out at the new site.
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Cllr Tony Ball - leader of the council
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Cllr Phil Turner - deputy leader of the council and cabinet member responsible for housing & landlord services
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Cllr Malcolm Buckley - cabinet member responsible for regeneration & community safety
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Cllr Stuart Sullivan - cabinet member for resources
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Cllr Kevin Blake - cabinet member for leisure & arts
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Cllr Terri Sargent - cabinet member for community
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Cllr John Dornan - cabinet member for environment
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Cllr Richard Moore - cabinet member for planning
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Cllr Sylvia Buckley - cabinet member without portfolio and assistant to the leader.
OPERATION BODMIN BASILDON Council Environmental Enforcement Officers have been working in partnership with the Police to stop the illegal sale of stolen metal, and unlicensed waste carriers, from operating within the borough. During an operation in May, council officers teamed up with the Police to investigate local scrap yards and, with their support, four unlicensed waste carriers were identified and issued with fixed penalty notices.
WICKFORD MEMORIAL TOILETS
AS the weather gets warmer, Basildon Council is offering residents free fridge thermometers to help keep their food safe this summer. Available on a first come, first served basis at the Basildon Centre’s reception, the thermometers are part of a drive by environmental health to help ensure local people keep healthy while saving money. To get the most out of your weekly shop remember these three important tips: 1. Using leftovers to make meals go further... • Cool leftovers within 90 minutes and store covered in the fridge (for up to 2 days) or in the freezer • Heat until steaming hot throughout, and reheat no more than once 2. Planning your meals... • First check what’s in the fridge and freezer • Plan a menu for the week, and stick to it! • Fit multi-pack deals into your plan, (or freeze them!) • Defrost completely and do not refreeze 3. Knowing your date codes… • ‘Use by’ dates appear on foods that go off quickly. It can be dangerous to eat foods beyond this date. Avoid waste by eating, cooking or freezing foods before this date • ‘Best before’ dates represent quality loss rather than safety, and appear on longer-life foods. Eggs, if thoroughly cooked, can be eaten 1-2 days after their date. For more information and tips, visit: http://www.food. gov.uk/news/campaigns/germwatch/
(L-R) Basildon Council’s Building Surveyor Peter Rake, Leader Tony Ball and Cllr Michael Mowe
A NEW £130,000 toilet block has been unveiled at Wickford Memorial Park. The new facility has been built onto the existing pavilion and is situated opposite the Rettendon View entrance to the park. The block consists of male, female and accessible toilets for the disabled. It also has sun pipes, which are designed to increase natural daylight, reduce energy consumption, costs and
carbon footprints. Cllr Kevin Blake, cabinet member for leisure and arts, said: “This investment in Wickford Memorial Park demonstrates the council’s commitment to improving community facilities and will make it more accessible to everyone, especially families. “Working with partners we are making substantial improvements to the park and this is just the latest, which I’m sure will be of great benefit to those who visit.”
JULY 2012
9
BASILDON’S PLAY YOUR PART SUCCESS
School children held their own mini Olympic Games at the Sporting Village
Champion Boreas
HUNDREDS of visitors played their part in May as the Basildon Sporting Village played host to the Basildon leg of Sparks Will Fly. Celebrating the forthcoming Olympics, the Sparks Will Fly event was held during the Play Your Part Festival which saw over 350 primary school children take to the track as they competed in Olympic themed mini games. Dance and gymnastics were celebrated, as a packed main hall saw schools from across the borough participate in a dance and gymnastics festival. Bands and dance groups performed throughout the afternoon and evening, before the Sparks Will Fly procession arrived, and champion ‘Boreas’ collected a giant bead representing Basildon. Part of the London 2012 Olympic Festival, the Sparks Will Fly
procession visited each borough or district in Essex, with one of two mystical champions collecting a specially designed bead, before they were brought together at a large event at Hylands Park on Friday 6 July. Approximately 100 people took part in community workshops held in Basildon, Wickford and Billericay to help design the flame that went in the bead. Cllr Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council said: “The Sparks will fly procession was a bit unusual, but the crowd really got into the swing of things and enjoyed the fun and the sunshine. “The aim was to bring sport and culture together and to give people the opportunity to play their part in the celebrations, and we saw this throughout the day with hundreds of young people participating.”
Sporting Village’s main hall held a gymnatsics and dance festival
10
JULY 2012
For tickets and information, call the Box Office on 01268 465465 or visit www.towngatetheatre.co.uk
CELEBRITY COMEDIAN COMES TO TOWNGATE Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see one of Britain’s most enduring comedians as he debuts at the Towngate Theatre. Bobby Davro started his career working in his father’s retail store ‘Davro’, but with a love of comedy it wasn’t long before he took to the stage, with his big break coming from an appearance at ‘Live at her majesty’s’ in 1983. This led to an incredible rise to fame in the 1980’s with TV shows such as ‘Bobby Davro on the Box’ and ‘Bobby’s Sketch Pad’, before he joined the BBC to make ‘Rock with Laughter’ among other hugely popular shows. More recently, Bobby has starred in Eastenders (as Vinnie Monks) and has even appeared
on Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Dancing On Ice, though he is most famed for his hilarious work as an impressionist. This all new tour sees Bobby return to his roots with outrageous stand up, singing and impressions of everyone from Sting to Jonathan Ross. Be ready for a night of grown up humour, and plenty of laughs! Bobby Davro Face Hopper Tour 11 September 2012 7.30pm £16 / £14.50
Love Towngate? Become a Member!
Cult funk stars’ Basildon debut
We are pleased to announce that the Towngate Theatre has launched a membership club for customers. Membership is a great way to enjoy a great range of benefits, including discounted and free tickets, discounts on food and drink and priority booking.
A. Cardholder
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We are offering two levels of membership with a number of perks available: GOLD MEMBERSHIP - £25 PER YEAR • Two free tickets to any show following your next ticket purchase • 10% discount on the purchase of all tickets • 10% discount on all food and hot / soft drink (Not alcohol) • Get the best seats in the house - 72 hours priority booking on all new shows • Invitations to “meet the cast” events • Monthly email updates on all the latest news from the Towngate • 10% off meeting room hire SILVER MEMBERSHIP - £15 PER YEAR • One free tickets to any show following your next ticket purchase • 10% discount on the purchase of all tickets • 10% discount on all food and hot / soft drink (Not alcohol) • Monthly email updates on all the latest news from the Towngate • 10% off meeting room hire For more information or to purchase membership simply phone the theatre box office on 01268 465465 or email us at towngate@basildon. gov.uk. with your contact details.
Shakatak have enjoyed a level of success and career longevity rarely paralleled in contemporary music but then Shakatak is a particularly unusual group. Because of the nature of their music their fan base is one that is far reaching while always retaining an “underground” element. This paradox sees the band, who are known primarily as serious jazz/funk musicians, enjoying both high ‘cult’ status and instant recognition as a household name due to
their numerous hit recordings. Prepare for a night of high emotion and great songs as they perform a selection of greatest hits from their extensive back catalogue in this special one off performance. Shakatak 6 September 2012 7.30pm £20
COMING UP AT THE TOWNGATE ROCK AROUND THE SIXTIES WITH THE NEW HONEYCOMBS Sunday 2 Sep 3pm JETHRO LIVE Wednesday 5 Sep 7.30pm TJ HIGGS Wednesday 12 Sep 7.30pm
BILLY FURY YEARS Thursday 13 September 7.30pm JOE LONGTHORNE Friday 14 September 7.30pm WE’LL MEET AGAIN - THE JUBILEE SHOW
Sunday 16 September
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JULY 2012
COUNCIL PROVIDES MORE FUNDING FOR LOCAL GROUPS FOLLOWING on from the success of the one off Olympic and Jubilee celebration funds distributed earlier this year, Basildon Council’s Grants to Voluntary Organisations fund is now open to applications. The deadline for applications is Friday 31 August 2012 and over £20,000 of funding is available. Last year, 12 voluntary groups, putting on community projects for local people in Basildon, benefited from this funding. This year the same amount is being made available and voluntary and community groups can apply for funds up to £2,000 per group to be spent over twelve months. These grants will not fund general running costs such as utility bills, staff salaries or capital projects, including buildings and refurbishment. They can be used to fund a new project, one-off events benefiting large public audiences, or to make a contribution towards a larger project where other funding has already been secured.
Cabinet member for community services, Cllr Terri Sargent said: “Basildon Council is committed to supporting the voluntary sector as they help provide a wide range of much needed services to our local communities. We have had a lot of positive feedback on just how much this funding scheme is helping this sector.� Keith Knight of Fairhouse Court Sheltered Housing Scheme said: “Receiving a grant from Basildon Council opened doors to other funding opportunities as it gave us the means to show we could manage a project successfully, deliver it on time and monitor its successes effectively.� To make an application for funding, download the guidelines and application form at www.basildon. gov.uk/communitygrants For details about available council grants and upcoming free funding workshops, contact the council’s funding officer on 01268 294406 or email maxine.williams@basildon.gov.uk.
WWW.BASILDON.GOV.UK
Do you work in the food industry? Do you run your own food business? Basildon Council can offer you the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health’s Level 2 qualiďŹ cation – Food Safety in Catering. The courses are run in the evenings by Environmental Health staff with extensive knowledge of food hygiene and how the law affects food businesses. The following course dates are on offer for 2012:
s 3EPTEMBER TH TH s .OVEMBER TH TH The cost is ÂŁ65 per person. For more information, tel or email EHS BASILDON GOV UK
ALLOWANCES FOR COUNCILLORS - 2011/2012 The Council’s Scheme for Members’ Allowances paid to elected Councillors must be established within the regulatory framework set by the Government. A copy of the Members Allowances Scheme forms part of the Council’s Constitution which is published on the Council’s website at www.basildon.gov.uk The approved Council budget for the Members’ Allowances Scheme for the 2011/2012 financial year is £432,000 The Council is required to maintain records detailing all payments made to each individual Councillor. These records are open to inspection by any local government elector within the Basildon Borough by prior arrangement with the Head of Corporate Services at the Basildon Centre, St Martins Square, Basildon, SS14 1DL and are also available on the Council’s website which is updated on a monthly basis. The following list details payments to individual Councillors during the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012. The list includes Councillors who did not serve for the entire period due to Local Elections not coinciding with the Council’s financial year. It also includes payments made to seven nonelected members of the Council’s Standards Committee. Key to Columns
A= B= C= D=
Basic Allowance Special Responsibility Allowance Travel , Subsistence and Carers Allowance I.T. Allowance
Figures for 2011/2012 A D SJ AR W P AS A A JA K K S MR DJ AR JD A L AM S SE SJ J CR P D M R L RA C DW MO D S R PA PW TL NJ SB F P G LM
Councillor Abrahall Allen Archer Archibald Arnold Baggott Ball Bennett Blake Blake Bobbin Buckley Buckley Dadds Davies Dornan Gordon Gordon Hedley Hillier Hillier Horgan Hyde Jackman Jenkins Kirkman Larkin Livesey Mackenzie Moore Morris Morris Mowe Munyambu Nandanwar Rackham Rackley Rackley Sargent Smith Sullivan Tomlin Turner Williams Williams
Total
Councillors
ÂŁ
B
ÂŁ 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,097.05 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,219.50 5,694.00 5,694.00 612.26 5,097.05 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 4,622.55 612.26 612.26 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,097.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 5,694.00 237,647.93
C
D
ÂŁ 8,544.00
1,425.00 9,963.00 8,544.00 9,963.00 436.69
1,530.64
81.20 278.80 47.30
4,054.11 4,272.00 8,544.00 1,425.00 10,439.00 2,410.77 1,206.65
8,544.00 218.35 2,847.46 9,963.00 4,272.00 4,272.00 436.69
ÂŁ 450.00 450.00
251.60 16.40 9,963.00 15,660.00
TOTAL
ÂŁ
78.80
14.85 92.60
87.99 136.01 4,272.00 9,090.99 9,963.00 9,963.00 1,425.00
74.40 102.00
162,117.71
2,792.59
450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 402.82 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 412.50 450.00 450.00 48.39 402.82 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 402.82 48.39 48.39 450.00 450.00 450.00 402.82 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00 450.00
14,688.00 6,144.00 5,945.60 6,160.40 6,144.00 16,107.00 23,334.64 6,144.00 7,569.00 16,188.20 6,422.80 14,688.00 16,154.30 6,580.69 6,144.00 10,198.11 5,499.87 10,416.00 6,144.00 14,688.00 7,569.00 16,071.00 8,554.77 7,429.45 660.65 5,499.87 14,688.00 6,362.35 9,006.31 16,199.60 10,416.00 10,416.00 6,580.69 5,025.37 660.65 660.65 6,231.99 6,280.01 10,416.00 5,499.82 15,234.99 16,181.40 16,209.00 7,569.00 6,144.00
18,368.95
420,927.18
Standards Committee - Independent Members J M A B Rev E JJ J Total Grand Total
Buchanan Dear Hollins Horne McCafferty Petherick Quinlan 0.00
1,140.00 1,140.00 1,140.00 1,140.00 1,620.00 1,140.00 1,140.00 8,460.00
0.00
0.00
1,140.00 1,140.00 1,140.00 1,140.00 1,620.00 1,140.00 1,140.00 8,460.00
237,647.93
170,577.71
2,792.59
18,368.95
429,387.18
12
JULY 2012
FIVE LINKS NEW CENTRE A new community hub has opened in Five Links aimed at helping residents make the estate a better place to live. Supported by Basildon Council, the Five Links Residents Association launched the FLICC Five Links Information and Community Centre in June. At the centre residents can find out about what is going on in the area, report issues and concerns and put forward new ideas to improve the estate. The FLICC also has meeting rooms which can be hired for meetings or events. For more information visit the centre at 202 Somercotes Five Links Estate, Laindon, or call 01268 906722.
BANK HOLIDAY REFUSE SERVICE
MAKING LOCAL SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ALL RESIDENTS BASILDON Council is supporting a local disability forum as it looks to champion the views of residents with mental, physical and learning difficulties. Following on from its successful mental health conference last year with boxing champion Frank Bruno as its keynote speaker, Basildon Disability Equality Forum (BDEF) now has a new chair who is keen to take the forum further. Chair, Mark Dale, said: “The BDEF is keen to continue working with Basildon Council to create a forum that is leading the way in promoting disability equality issues in a creative and innovative way that will promote the rights of disabled people, while reducing the discrimination some people experience throughout their lives just because they are seen as different.” All forum meeting are held at the Basildon Centre from 1pm to 3pm and the next meeting will be held on Wednesday 26 September 2012. For more information, email: markdale101@ hotmail.co.uk or visit http://www.spanglefish. com/basildondisability equalityforum.
Christine Hailstone and Jeni Coleman are British Sign Language (BSL) communicators at Basildon Council and they find their roles tremendously rewarding. Christine has been a BSL communicator at the council for 21 years. She said: “Apart from my other duties, I provide support at the Basildon Centre front reception when a person with hearing impairment requires assistance, access our services or wants to receive advice. “The council has been very supportive in helping me to conduct BSL workshops on a regular basis with other colleagues so they can also learn to help our deaf Jeni Coleman & Christine Hailstone signing “Benefits Help” residents too.” Cllr Terri Sargent said: “I commend this Jeni is based at Pitsea Area Housing Office, and is often called upon to assist the valuable service which enables our residents deaf tenants and residents who visit the with hearing impairments to access aid with office. She said: “I’ve been asked to attend communications. “One of our five promises to local people is to on-site visits to tenants properties to help with housing and council tax benefits. I also demand good public services, and this includes help other services within the council, if they ensuring these services are accessible to all local people. require sign language assistance. “Residents have varying needs and working “Over the years I’ve seen a huge difference in the number of deaf residents feeling confident with other voluntary groups is key to making to visit the council because of the excellent this possible. For more information on BSL, visit http:// service we provide. Cabinet member for Community Services, www.britishsignlanguage.com
NEW EXTRA CARE SCHEME FOR BASILDON
Remember - All refuse and recycling collections run a day behind normal on the week of a Bank Holiday. For example, if your collection day is Friday, your refuse and recycling will be collected on a Saturday. The next Bank Holiday is the week commencing Monday 27 August.
PUBLIC TIDY UP GROUPS Do you run a volunteer or community group? If you do, and would like to organise a community tidy up, Basildon Council can support you by providing protective equipment, guidance and an additional collection of the bags afterwards. To register your interest, email: recycling @basildon.gov.uk.
Poplar House exterior, inside one of the apartments (insert) A BRAND new extra care scheme has opened its doors to new residents in Pitsea. Opened last month, Poplar House is a purpose-built development of 65 one and two bedroom apartments, 61 of which are available on a shared-ownership or rental basis. The other four apartments will be used for re-ablement care – supporting residents following hospital stays, before returning home – in partnership with the Primary Care Trust. The apartments are designed specifically for over55s who currently live in Basildon or have a strong connection to the area and require the support and security of additional on-site care to continue living independently, while enjoying complete peace of mind. The new development, on Rectory Road, was
made possible thanks to a unique and innovative funding arrangement between Sanctuary, Basildon Council and Essex County Council, in line with the Government’s personalisation agenda. Cllr Phil Turner, Basildon Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for housing and landlord services, said: “This brand new scheme is good news for Basildon and will provide a welcome addition to the support facilities available to people who need them. “I am delighted Basildon Council has been able to work so successfully with Sanctuary and the County Council to bring this facility to our borough.” Anyone who would like more information about shared ownership at Poplar House can contact Basildon Council’s housing department on 01268 294099 quoting Poplar House.
NEW LIFE FOR LANGHAM HALL A COMMUNTY hub is set to be brought back to life later this year after Basildon Council agreed a 25 year lease. Empty since 2009, Langham Hall, based in Langham Crescent, Billericay, is currently undergoing improvement works, following an agreement between the Langham Hall Charitable Trust and Basildon Council. Cllr Stuart Sullivan, cabinet member for resources said: “We have been working with the trust for a number of months to enable them to take over the hall so it’s great that we have now been able to hand over the keys for them to start work. “This is a real example of local residents coming together to create a good organisation which is well placed to take over, improve and run a facililty. We, as a Council, will continue to support them in this endeavour.” Supporting the trust, the council has agreed a 25 year lease, with the trust investing over £80,000 into the building in return for a 20 year rent free period. Once completed, the trust will use the building to provide social, health and educational facilities for the local community.
JULY 2012
13
CALL FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT LOCAL CHARITIES Basildon mayor Mo Larkin is encouraging more local businesses to play their part in supporting the work of local charities in the area. Mayor Larkin was speaking after unveiling a plaque at First Data’s Jupiter House. The building houses a contact centre and was recently refurbished as part of the company’s multi-million pound investment programme into its premises and infrastructure in Basildon. First Data is a global provider of electronic commerce and payment processing services which employs over one thousand people in its Basildon offices and supports the local community through its charitable giving. She said: “First Data has been doing tremendous work supporting Basildon Women’s Aid for a number of years, providing Christmas gifts for children in residence with their mothers. “Last year it also launched a co-operation with the local Age Concern group, which saw the company host a Christmas lunch for 50 local old aged pensioners. The event, which I attended, was such a big success that First Data will be organising it again this year. “In addition, First Data has also raised over £11,000 for local charities last year! “These are just a few examples of the excellent
charitable work First Data has been doing in the borough, such as St Luke’s Hospice, Little Havens Children’s and I encourage other local businesses to follow suit and Hospice, HARP (a support organisation for the homeless), give back to the communities in which they operate.” Essex Air Ambulance, Cancer Research UK and Help for Roger Bracken, Managing Director, UK & Ireland, Heroes. First Data has also organised charity events First Data, said: “Over the years we have developed including football and netball tournaments, quiz nights, relationships with several local charities that we seek to book and cake sales, and a family Christmas market to support through fund raising and other initiatives. raise funds for Basildon charities. “I am proud of the numerous colleagues that organise and participate in charitable activities, and that help First Data to make a contribution to the communities we work and live in.” BASILDON borough secondary the students faced included: The company supports and works with charities school students got to try communication and negotiation
Students turn entrepreneurs
Mayor Larkin and Basildon Council chief executive Bala Mahendran unveiling the plaque
their hand in the world of business as part of the Basildon Borough Young Entrepreneurs Competition. Run by the Enterprise and Education Partnership and supported by Basildon Council, the interactive workshop allowed young people to work in teams in a challenging and competitive entrepreneurial environment mirroring that of the business world. Some of the challenges
skills, team work, decision making, problem solving and leadership. Local business partners worked closely with the students on their business challenges throughout the day, including Basildon’s 2011 Business Women of the Year, Sarah Stephenson. A team from De La Salle School were the eventual winners out of the 50 young people that attended from schools across the borough.
14
JULY 2012
OPEN DAY CELEBRATES MOVEMENT RESIDENTS interested in becoming members of the George Hurd Centre(GHC) can enjoy free tea and biscuits plus taster classes as part of a open day on Friday 31 July. The Celebration of Movement open day at the GHC, Audley Way, celebrates the London 2012 Olympics and is for all residents over the age of 50 years. On the day, locals can learn new and exciting ways of keeping fit through classes such as: Yoga and sit down Yoga; Salsa, Ballroom and Line dancing; Tai Chi; and Bowls. The morning session is from 11am to 12.30pm while the afternoon session
starts from 2pm and ends at 3.30pm. Current GHC members will also benefit from a buffet lunch on the day. GHC member, Beatrice Shirley, from Basildon, said: “The centre always has lots of activities for members. We recently celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in style with red, white and blue bunting and Union Jack flags put up and a special jubilee dinner with ‘afters’ for members. “We even had a jubilee themed raffle, and I think I even saw someone who looked like the Queen!” For more information on day centre actvtities or membership, contact the centre on 01268 465854.
Jubilee Party at the George Hurd Centre
GET YOUR KIDS MOVING AT PITSEA’S FUN ZONE Looking for somewhere to take your little one this summer, or need a place to hold a children’s party? Then look no further than the Fun Zone at The Place, Pitsea, which offers everything you need to entertain kids under eight years of age. A soft play area for children, the Fun Zone offers a safe and exciting way for your child to enjoy themselves and run around.
Prices start from just £1.10 per hour and there is no need to book in advance for casual use. The Fun Zone also has group hire packages available offering great value for money for kid’s parties. Open seven days a week, the Fun Zone can also arrange catering for your party. For more information contact The Place, formerly Pitsea Leisure Centre, 01268 465420.
YOUTH COUNCIL TALKS SEXUAL HEALTH MATTERS
Carmel Hanley, General Manager of The Place, Pitsea
More Pride Days coming in 2012 Basildon Council has announced it is committed to providing a further 12 Pride In Your Area” days throughout 2012. This is following on from the last two years, where 24,000 households received a deepclean and rubbish amnesty. Each Pride In Your Area is the size of about 1,000 properties,
and the day takes place on a Saturday - when all of the council’s operational services descend upon an area to carry out deep-cleaning. This includes street sweeping, litterpicking, digging out alleyways, removing graffiti, and giving residents the chance to get rid of their large and bulky items free of charge.
BASILDON borough’s young people have been learning about sexual health and how to stay safe, as part of a recent Sexual Health conference. Organised and part presented by the Basildon Youth Council, the conference also tackled misconceptions and empowered young people to safely challenge situations where they may be pressured into sex by their peers. Attended by over 50 people, the conference followed a peer led approach after a local consultation showed young people preferred this
method when discussing sexual matters. Cabinet member for community services, Cllr Terri Sargent, said: Basildon Council supported this important conference as sexual health was chosen as a key objective for the Basildon Youth Council following a consultation of local young people on the issues that affect their lives the most. “This event created an environment where young people could learn about these critical sexual health issues from health professionals, thereby giving them the power to protect themselves and their friends.”
Get ahead with an apprenticeship ALMOST 100 young people have benefited from apprenticeship and graduate programmes since 2005, thanks to Basildon Council. Apprenticeships are open to people in England who are aged 16 or over and not engaged in full-time education. For young people 16-18 training costs are fully subsidised by the government, with training costs split between government and employers for young people aged 19-24. Leader of Basildon Council, Cllr Tony Ball, said: “Basildon Council recognises the value of apprenticeships and has been offering a range of apprenticeship opportunities since October 2005, including business administration apprenticeships, the Council’s own apprenticeship scheme covering customer service and business administration, and a
graduate management trainee scheme. “In today’s competitive job market young people are facing increasing competition for university places and jobs. Therefore, for many, an apprenticeship can be the key to unlocking their future opportunities while earning nationally recognised qualifications, gain valuable workplace experience, while receiving a salary. Basildon Council’s next apprenticeship recruitment drive will take place in May/June 2013 with details being made available at that time on the council’s jobs section of the website: www.basildon.gov.uk/ jobs. For more information on apprenticeships call National Careers Service: 0800 100 900, Prospects College: 0800 389 3589, SEEVIC College/New Campus Basildon: 01268 882 622 or The LightBulb: 0845 031 0066.
JULY 2012
Since September 1995 gas explosions have killed over 100 people in the UK. Faulty appliances can produce the deadly colourless and odourless gas - carbon monoxide. For council tenants:
s .OT ALLOWING OUR CONTRACTORS IN TO CHECK YOUR BOILER IS A BREACH OF YOUR TENANCY AND COULD MEAN YOU LOSE YOUR HOME ,%4 53 ). s )F LEGAL ACTION IS TAKEN TO GAIN ACCESS TO YOUR HOME TO CARRY OUT AN annual gas safety check, costs in excess of ÂŁ500 can be recovered from you. s $O NOT ATTEMPT TO CARRY OUT WORKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GAS within your property. s !LWAYS ENSURE YOU USE A 'AS 3AFE 2EGISTERED ENGINEER
If you are due a gas boiler safety check, book now on 0800 634 5285 For further information call Gas Administrator Leanne Gurney on 01268 465318
15
JAPANESE BEGIN OLYMPIC TRAINING IN BASILDON
Members of the Japanese Olympic Swimming Team
THE Olympics officially came to Basildon at the beginning of this month with the arrival of the Japanese swim team. Training at the Basildon Sporting Village ahead of the games, the team are ranked fourth in the world, and are expecting to gain at least eight medals. Cllr Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, said: “It seems only a matter of months ago that we signed the agreement with Japan for them to use our facilities. As soon as they saw what we had to offer they wanted to sign up to use the Sporting Village, and that is a real testament to how good the facility is. “Throughout their stay they have planned sessions for public swimmers to join them, will be running coaching
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sessions, and giving opportunities for schoolchildren to come and watch. Their desire to engage with the local community can not be praised enough and I am sure that residents will get behind them and support them in the forthcoming games.” The initial team training at the site include Takura Fujji, winner of a bronze medal in Beijing, Izumi Kato, the first Japanese swimmer from Fukushima, and fifteen year old swimming sensation Kanako Watanabe. A second group of athletes including two time gold medallist Kosuke Kitajima are expected to be at the Sporting Village from the 21 July. For more information on the changes to swimming times at the Sportng Village, visit www.everyoneactive.com.
Japanese swimmer training at Basildon Sporting Village
Basildon Borough Council, The Basildon Centre, St Martin’s Square, Basildon, Essex, SS14 1DL. Website: www.basildon.gov.uk Switchboard: 01268 533333 Email: mailroom@basildon.gov.uk Chief Executive: Bala Mahendran Leader: Councillor Tony Ball