Shop Italian! News from Basildon District Council
New season preview p10
Tasty continental food, on your doorstep 27-28 March Basildon town centre
March 2009
Join council’s gym for just £15 a month p16
FREE PARKING AT WEEKENDS Celebrating 60 years
Council is doing everything possible to help you through the recession Keeping more pounds in your pocket during the recession is the bold message from Basildon Council. Free weekend car parking and a lower than expected Council Tax bill are the key elements in Basildon’s Council Tax settlement, which has just been agreed. A £100,000 recession busting fund has been announced by councillors to fight the downturn and protect the district’s economy. Council leader Malcolm Buckley revealed the measures at a meeting of the full council. Residents will see the council’s share of the overall bill rise by just 3.79 per cent, as opposed to the 4.5 per cent which was forecast this time last year. From now, until at least this time next year, shoppers will be able to park for free in all council-run car parks from 6pm on Fridays to 8am on Mondays. The amnesty is designed to save people cash and boost trade for businesses by attracting more shoppers to high streets. It covers the two car parks behind Somerfield in Wickford,
Council Tax bill 09/10*
Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band H
Basildon element £167.46 £195.37 £223.28 £251.19 £307.01 £362.83 £418.65 £502.38
Total bill £1,007.04 £1,174.88 £1,342.72 £1,510.56 £1,846.24 £2,181.92 £2,517.60 £3,021.12
* Homes also covered by a parish council receive slightly higher bills, to include a parish precept.
and one at Wickford swimming pool. It also allows for free parking by Gloucester Park pool, Basildon Centre surface car park, behind the Towngate and at the car park behind the former Woolworths store in Billericay. The council also revealed it has set aside £100,000 to run a series of recession relief schemes throughout the year to support residents and companies. These initiatives are now being drawn up. Councillor Malcolm Buckley,
Leader of the Council, said: “We are taking quick and decisive action to protect local people and businesses from the worst effects of the recession. “The council is determined to do everything it can to support the district. “We hope our rapid response will help to safeguard the local economy and offer a vital safety net for people in need.” The money you pay in Council Tax is collected by Basildon District Council, but more than 80 per cent is passed on to Essex County Council, Essex Police Authority, Essex Fire and Rescue Service, and in some cases to parish councils, to help fund their services, with the remainder used to help pay for the district’s work.
Where your money goes: TURN TO PAGE P5
This year is party year across Basildon, Billericay and Wickford as the whole district celebrates a special 60th birthday. Basildon New Town was officially launched six decades ago, and there will be celebrations across the district
to mark the big occasion. The first bash took place in January with singers, dancing displays and information and even a classic car show in St Martin’s Square, Basildon, which attracted a number of performers and also vehicles dating back to the early years. TURN TO PAGE 7
Better benefits service p3 fag facts p4 Future of sport revealed p6 Travellers can be evicted p9 Jewel in our crown p11
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March 09
THIS EDITION’S HIGHLIGHTS p4 Time is running out for you to buy tickets for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to hear soprano star Katherine Jenkins sing live in Billericay. p8 Victoria Ingram is leading the fight to cut down the graffiti tags which are being sprayed on cars, walls and buildings across the district. p9 Generous guests at the chairman’s annual charity ball raised over £6,000 for the Royal British Legion, the Choral Society and Arts Trust. p12 A day devoted to raising awareness of the problems and challenges disabled people face brought a number of issues to the fore. The District Diary is produced by Basildon District Council’s Marketing and Communications Team. If you have a story or would like to comment, call 01268 294156. The District Diary is delivered free to 78,000 homes in Basildon, Billericay and Wickford. If you would like to advertise or enquire about rates and deadlines, call the Marketing and Communications Team on 01268 294201. Basildon District Council accepts no responsibility for the content of any advertisement published in District 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.
Basildon Careline
Emergency Care Alarm Service For over 25 years, Basildon Careline has provided an emergency response service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to anyone who feels vulnerable or at risk. Many older people living alone and younger people with disabilities rely on the service to live independently, safe in the knowledge that they can always get help when they need it. What our clients say about us: “I had need to use the Careline service a few months after first registering and was extremely impressed by the first class service”.
“I am 81 years old and rely on this as I cannot get about and I know I can count on this scheme when I am in difficulties.”
If You would like to know more about the service. or would like a free demonstration, Telephone: 01268 465141 Email: careline@sgch.org.uk
Chairman’s message by Councillor Frank Tomlin t takes a lot of willpower to remain cheerful during the first two months of the year. The weather is cold and damp. The hours of daylight are short. The Christmas and New Year festivities are over and life seems a bit flat as we chill out, in every sense. I very much hope that all of you have happy memories of your Christmas parties, family get-togethers and other holiday activities, with no regrets. Did you make a New Year’s resolution? Mine is to make every effort to remain cheerful no matter what life has in store. I am by nature an optimist and my hope is that for you, the people of Basildon district, as well as for the people of Britain, things turn out better than the national news media is currently predicting. We kicked off the year in fine style. On 4 January we celebrated the 60th birthday of Basildon New Town. All who joined the party in St Martin’s
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Councillor Tomlin and Reverend Esther McCafferty at the 60th birthday celebrations.
to even better things to come, we shall be constantly reminded of things that we should be cheerful about. As I go about my duties as chairman, I see a huge amount of sporting and social activity going on, with people enjoying each others’ company and doing the things that they so obviously enjoy. I am encouraged to believe that our citizens have a natural aptitude for squeezing the last ounce of enjoyment from life, coupled with a quiet determination to carry on regardless. That attitude of mind is something that I applaud. As spring approaches, let’s count such blessings as we have and look on the bright side of life.
Square were certainly in good spirits. Further anniversary events will take place throughout the year. As we celebrate past achievements, and look forward
Beat sweep Terry builds estate pride A NEW street cleaner, styled on the traditional ‘bobby on the beat’, is being hailed a success. Residents in the Redbrick estate, off Long Riding in Vange, have praised the council’s new ‘beat sweep’. Terry Campagna, the sweeper, patrols the estate on foot every day, picking up litter, ripping out weeds, edging back grass on footpaths and sweeping up dirt. Councillor Terri Sargent, Basildon’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “We introduced the beat sweep because, with shops and two schools, the area was suffering from high levels of litter. “While we carry out a normal clean of the estate every fortnight, the beat sweep is permanently there and ensures the area is cleaned everyday. “This has helped to transform
the estate, because he can carry out a deep clean and get to grips with all the grot spots. “Terry has also got to know the residents and has become a familiar and reassuring sight for them.” Shaun Miller, of Frettons, said the estate was the cleanest he had seen it in more than a decade. “I’ve lived here for 11 years now, and I’ve never seen it so clean. Since this gentleman started the place has been spotless. “You really notice the difference and it makes other people start taking more care, because they see it’s clean. “I say ‘hello’ to him when I’m washing my van, and I tell him he’s doing a good job. It’s really changed round here now.” Mr Campagna said: “I say ‘hello’ to everyone on the estate
CLEAN SWEEP: Terry Campagna, who works in the Vange area.
and the older people seem to appreciate it. When they’re on their own, it makes their day to have someone to talk to. “I also say ‘hello’ to the parents taking their kids to school and some of the youngsters have started to stop and put rubbish in my bin. “I think it’s created a community spirit on the estate. Seeing me taking care of where they live encourages them to do the same.” The council introduced two beat sweeps last year as part of a £150,000 investment in street cleaning.
March 09
Tax advice is now available at one stop Basildon shop The range of services at The Basildon Centre’s new Customer Service Centre continues to grow, making it the essential one-stop shop for help and advice. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs is the latest organisation to have an office in the ground-
floor centre, alongside established helpdesks dealing with benefits, Council Tax, housing needs assessments, and planning. Tax and revenue officers will man a dedicated desk and will be able to advise on issues including tax returns, credits, National
Insurance, and child benefit. There will also be a telephone hotline for more specialist advice and a private interview room. “We are carefully working towards a holistic approach to making it easier for our residents to get help and advice they need
under one roof,” said Councillor Richard Moore, Cabinet Member for Customer Services. “Last year, we brought together our housing, planning and benefits services and the feedback we are getting from customers is positive and encouraging.”
Monty is latest victim of credit crunch As the economic downturn tightens, Basildon’s animal control officer, Sarah Moran, is rescuing more dogs than ever. Sarah is pictured here with Monty, one of the latest victims of the recession. She found the young Springer Spaniel, which was in a distressed condition, left tied up outside a local PDSA clinic. “A woman we believe was the owner became quite aggressive when she was confronted by one of the PDSA nurses as she was tethering the dog,” said Sarah. It was decided not to pursue the matter and Sarah was asked if she could find the spaniel a home. “I named him Monty. He’s an affectionate dog who loves company, gets on with other dogs and just loves to be made a fuss of. He would make a great companion for anyone who’s
prepared to spend time with him. “Although he’s in a poor condition at the moment, he’s been looked over by a vet and there’s nothing that a little love and attention won’t fix. I’m confident he’ll make a full recovery in no time at all.” Sarah’s advice to owners who might find it difficult to care for their pets is to seek help quickly. “The answer is not just to dump an animal in the streets hoping that someone will take it in. “There are lots of animal welfare agencies which can give advice on looking after your pet economically, even feeding it more cheaply if money is tight. They can’t take in every stray, but they will always be able to help.” Visit www.pdsa.org.uk or www.battersea.org.uk for more information on caring or rehoming pets.
PUPPY DOG EYES: Sarah Moran and Monty, the Springer Spaniel.
Benefits service is cheaper and faster A shake-up by the council has dramatically improved the speed benefits claims are dealt with. And extra efficiencies mean the cost of running the service has also been cut. As well as providing a better service and saving money, the changes mean more cheats are coming before the courts. At least £350,000 a year has been saved by using methods employed by businesses. As a result, processing times for claims have dropped from 19 to 12 days. A new way of operating means replacing form filling with phone calls, officers visiting claimants’ homes to collect documents, and ensuring one person processes a claim from start to finish. The phone is also playing a vital role in catching more people falsely claiming Council Tax discounts than ever before. New technology dubbed the ‘lie detector’ has already prevented fraud equivalent to £235,000 since it was introduced last year. A software package called Voice
Risk Analysis is used to monitor claims. The voice-sensitive programme analyses a caller’s voice, and can detect tiny changes which could indicate the claimant is lying. This could then trigger investigators to dig deeper. In a recent crackdown, officers worked with a data-matching agency to carry out household checks on 13,222 people claiming the 25 per cent single resident discount. From this list, 2,883 people were suspected of making a false claim. Further investigation whittled these down to 940. They were written to and asked to call a number to continue claiming the discount. These calls were analysed by trained officers using the voice software. As a result, 157 people were found to be falsely claiming the discount and another 100 had it stopped when they failed to call. Scott Logan, who runs the council’s revenues and benefits service, said: “These changes have improved the service two-
fold. We’ve cut complicated form filling and increased the detection of false claims.” Further improvements are also in store, with the launch of the district’s first ever Benefits Information Network. More than 30 organisations, including Jobcentre Plus, Essex County Council and the Department for Work and Pensions have signed up to the group. They will work together to share information, improve understanding of new legislation and identify residents’ needs. “Our revenues and benefits service has undergone a transformation to ensure support is targeted at those who need it, with the minimum of red tape,” said Councillor Phil Turner, Cabinet Member for Resources. “Those who are making fraudulent claims have been caught, and we’ve sent those thinking of swindling the council, and honest taxpayers, a message that they will be caught, prosecuted and made to repay every penny.”
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NEWS IN BRIEF
£36k cheat caught out A benefits cheat has been ordered to pay back £36,000 which she falsely claimed during a seven year period. The 32-year-old formerly of Somercoates, Basildon, fiddled £18,276 in income support from the Department for Work and Pensions, £14,800 in housing benefit and £3,200 in Council Tax benefit from Basildon Council. She claimed support for living alone but was found to have been living with a partner since 2002. The woman who has since moved out of the district, pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court. She was handed a 12-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work. Councillor Phil Turner, Basildon’s Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “We always prosecute benefit cheats and seek to recover every penny stolen from the taxpayer.”
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March 09
CRUNCH TIMES The Crunch Service is a mobile waste disposal facility that tours the district at weekends which residents can use to dispose of bulkier items of rubbish. Locations marked with (G) can also be used for the disposal of green waste. The Crunch Service is not suitable for paints, oils or other waste liquids. March 14: 1. Laindon Link – Five Links, Somercoates service road, near steps. 2. Wickford – Alderney Gardens, rear of shops. 3. Vange – Gordon Road layby near Helpeston. March 21: 1. Lee Chapel North – Markhams Chase Centre (G). 2. Pitsea – Elm Green and Chevers Pawen (9-11am), Steeplehall and the Meads near Elmtree Road (11am-noon). 3. Laindon West – Thornton Way / Sparkbridge parking area. March 28: 1. Billericay – Little Burstead car park (G). 2. Laindon West – Dunton caravan park. 3. Lee Chapel South –rear of 58-92 The Knares (G). April 4: 1. Lee Chapel North – Markhams Chase Centre (G). 2. Pitsea – Elm Green and Chevers Pawen (9-11am), Steeplehall and the Meads near Elmtree Road (11am-noon). 3. Laindon West – Thornton Way / Sparkbridge parking area. April 11: 1. Billericay – Little Burstead car park (G). 2. Laindon West – Dunton caravan park. 3. Lee Chapel South – rear of 58-92 The Knares (G). April 18: 1. Laindon – Noak Bridge Coppice Lane (G). 2. Fryerns – Craylands and The Litchfields and rear of the shops. 3. Laindon West – Hoover Drive Community Centre (9.30-10.30am) (G), Great Berry Community Centre (10.30am-noon) (G). April 25: 1. Wickford – Rettenden View layby at car park (G) + Pippin Court (one hour). 2. Lee Chapel North, rear of Plough and Tractor pub. 3. Pitsea – Kenneth Road layby (G). May 2: 1. Billericay – Radford Crescent car park (G). 2. Laindon – Five Links Newberry side – large layby to the rear of 41-55. 3. Vange – The Barge pub (9-11am), Ryedene (11am-noon). May 16: 1. Wickford – Keats Way opposite no. 3 Council garage area. (G). 2. Fryerns – Ghyllgrove, opposite The Upway. 3. Langdon Hills – Valance Way, junction with Debden Green.
Is your cigarette butt really worth a £75 fine? Smoking is set to become an even more expensive habit for people who break the law and thoughtlessly drop cigarette butts on the ground. From now on, anyone caught dropping litter, including fag ends, faces a £75 fine. Basildon Council has been warning smokers of the impending enforcement through a campaign which started late last year. Now, giant billboards on the side of dustcarts are re-enforcing the
message across the district. “Our refuse lorries are a
good way to get the message across because they catch people’s attention and are seen all over the district,” said Councillor
Terri Sargent, Cabinet Member for Environment. From the beginning of February, environmental enforcement officers started to carry out foot
Don’t forget your Katherine tickets Time is running out fast if you want tickets for the once-in-alifetime chance to see Katherine Jenkins live in Billericay. The majority of the council’s allocation of tickets for the Lake Meadows concert have been snapped up, and a surge of sales is expected as the weather improves. Katherine’s concert is the highlight of events taking place across the district to mark Basildon’s 60th birthday. The picnic in the park event takes place on Saturday 25 July. Concert-goers can bring hampers, blankets and folding chairs but no tables will be allowed. Full details will be available when you book. The Welsh soprano will be backed by a full orchestra and will perform light operatic favourites as well as songs from films and theatre productions. For tickets, call the box office on 01268 465465. Corporate hospitality packages are available from 01268 294230
STAR: Katherine Jenkins who is appearing at Lake Meadows.
patrols in five hotspots – Basildon, Billericay and Wickford town centres, Felmores shops, and the area around Basildon Hospital. In preparation for the anti-litter move, the council’s environmental health officers handed out posters and information to pubs, clubs, offices and shops in the five hotspots. They have given away more than 2,000 ‘stubby pouches’ small cardboard containers which can be easily slipped into pockets and handbags. They can be used to extinguish cigarette ends safely and can then be put in your purse or pocket and taken home. Council chiefs see fines for people caught dropping cigarette ends or litter as a last resort, and hope the publicity campaign will persuade smokers to dispose of their butts responsibly. On-the-spot fines can be handed out by environmental protection officers and Police Community Support Officers. Those who refuse to pay up could land themselves in court and face a bigger penalty. “Cigarettes are a major source of litter, outstripping even chewing gum and fast food wrappers,” said Councillor Sargent. “Residents have told us they want a clean and safe environment and this initiative is part of our wider focus to tackle antisocial behaviour. We hope that by working together, the quality of our environment will be improved for everyone.” If you would like a free stubby pouch call into the Basildon Centre’s reception or ring 01268 294281.
CALLING ALL SMALL BUSINESSES, LOCAL SHOPS AND SOLE TRADERS IN BASILDON!
Your guide to the future
The District Diary is launching a new size of adverts, like the one right, which costs just £25. These ads are aimed at helping local traders by giving a cheap way to promote your service to every home in the district. Money raised will help make the District Diary self funding, further reducing the council’s burden on taxpayers.
A pocket guide detailing the future regeneration of Basildon has been produced to keep people fully informed about how the district will grow. Aimed at businesses and attracting inward investment, it includes information on Basildon town centre, the Sporting Village, and the Wat Tyler Country Park. The flyers will be given out at trade shows to spread the word about the district and how attractive it is for firms to invest in.
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March 09
Basildon’s top 10 want to hear voice of youth READY FOR BUSINESS: Basildon’s Young Essex Assembly members Rebecca Lack, Chloe Hayes Helen Fulton, Dan Haslett John Adams, Samuel Miller, Carrieanne Adams, Damion Lewis, Chloe Hookins, Cathryn Vallance are pictured with Councillor Andrew Baggott, Cabinet Member for Communities, Councillor Luke McKenzie, young people’s champion, and council officers Tracey Parry and Claire Heskins.
Ten young people from the district have been elected to represent Basildon on the influential Young Essex Assembly, the county’s youth parliament. The seats were open for young people aged 11 – 19, and this
was the first time youngsters aged 11 and 12 could take part. Their term of office started at the beginning of February. In the interval between being elected and taking up the reins, the 10 received training to help them develop the skills needed to be
an assembly member and learn more about what is involved. As well as the main assembly, the new members will sit on local youth councils and help make their areas better places for young people by listening to the views and ideas of their peers,
and feeding them back to those who make decisions. Elected members can influence policies for young people at a national level too, through the UK Youth Parliament which represents children and teenagers across the country.
Concrete action to help you through recession Basildon Council’s share of the Council Tax bill will be just £251.19 for the average band D home. The council is actively supporting local people and businesses with tangible projects during the current economic climate which thousands of people in the district will be able to take advantage of. During the coming months, a guide will be published detailing services and support provided by the council or its partners. Here, the District Diary outlines what Basildon is doing for individuals, and local businesses, to ease the effects of the recession and keep investment strong. For more information on council tax bills, visit www.basildon.gov.uk. Help for individuals: The council has made it easier for charities to find funding. It has launched two new websites bringing together grant giving and funding providers. The sites can be found through www.open4community.info/ basildon. As part of a drive to help prevent homelessness, Basildon Council is implementing a number of schemes for those most at risk. The aims are to help those in a private tenancy who have run into financial problems and run the risk of being evicted. The council may be able to make a small one-off payment allowing tenants to remain in their home. A new group has been set up to improve delivery of housing and Council Tax benefits.
Basildon Council has launched a Benefits Information Network to help new claimants and more than 17,000 people already claiming support. The recession-friendly Gym Express has been launched at Eversley Leisure Centre with monthly fees of just £15. Residents are being offered free health and benefits advice at a roadshow touring locations across the district. Basildon Council has joined with South West Essex Primary Care Trust and community network Interlock, to bring together experts on health and benefits problems. They will deal with residents’ questions on anything from blood pressure, body mass index to debt problems, tax credits, children’s
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES: How your Council Tax bill is divided between different public services.
centres and benefits. The council has funded a new financial advisor to work at the Citizens Advice Bureau. A mortgage rescue scheme to help prevent repossessions is expected to start in the new financial year. The council and partners have secured £110,000 to run a trade school, which will provide training tasters in engineering and construction for 14-16-year-olds. The council has funding to recruit additional revenue and benefits staff to deal with the increase in caseloads to help people who run in to difficulties. Help for businesses: A series of free advice clinics led by Basildon Renaissance and its partners Business Link East are being held. Supported by
Lloyds TSB and RBS, the four drop-in clinics include a host of business advice specialists offering help to businesses. Business-to-business events are being held in May to introduce local suppliers to one another in order to stimulate the local economy. Encouraging local businesses to bid for council contracts by guiding them and offering advice on the process. More than 550 businesses have been contacted to see if they are eligible for rate relief. Small businesses or sole traders will be able to advertise their services for just £25 in future editions of the District Diary, with the money raised being used to make this newspaper self funding.
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COUNCILLORS Billericay East Tony Archer 01277 657814 David Dadds 01277 829808 Stuart Sullivan 01268 560477 Surgery as Burstead below Billericay West Anthony Hedley 01277 626198 Stephen Horgan 01268 449527 Phil Turner 01277 633918 Surgery as Burstead below Burstead Kevin Blake 01268 470597 Geoffrey Buckenham 01277 622020 Richard Moore 01277 627266 Surgeries on last Saturday of month, 10.30am-noon, Billericay Library, 143 High Street, Billericay. Crouch Stuart Allen 01268 284225 Terri Sargent 01268 288766 Surgeries on first Saturday of month, 9.30am-10.30am, Noak Bridge Village Hall, Coppice Lane, Noak Bridge and third Saturday, 9am-10am, Steeple View Memorial Hall, Willowfields. Fryerns Paul Kirkman 01268 474528 Surgeries on third Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm-8pm at The Ashleigh Centre, Whitmore Way, Basildon. Alan Davis 01268 525406 Janet Payn 01268 477989 Laindon Park John Dornan 01268 282175 Jilly Hyde 01268 414126 Frank Tomlin 01277 625692 Langdon Hills Sandra Hillier 01268 490201 Stephen Hiller 01268 490201 Lee Chapel North Lynda Gordon 01268 417565 Richard Rackham 01277 624932 Nigel Smith 01268 545483 Nethermayne Ben Williams 01268 281271 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 Chapel South Community Centre, all 10am-11am. Pitsea North West Andrew Baggott 01277 634375 Ron Livesey 01268 470028 Keith Bobbin 01268 556158 Pitsea South East David Abrahall 01268 440082 Ann Blake 01268 470597 Maureen Larkin 01268 413936 Surgeries on first Saturday of the month, 10am-11am, outside Pitsea Leisure Centre, Northlands Pavement, Pitsea. Cllr Blake also holds a surgery at the Benbow Club, 77 Pound Lane, Bowers. St Martin’s Phil Rackley 01268 410700 Pat Rackley 01268 410700 Surgeries on third Tuesday of the month, 2pm-3pm at The Basildon Community Resource Centre, 1 The Gore, Basildon. Vange Swatantra Nandanwar 01268 453749 Surgeries on second Sunday of month, 11am-noon, The Luncies Meeting Hall, Luncies Road (off Timberlog Lane), Vange. Luke Mackenzie 07919 517376 Wickford Castledon Malcolm Buckley 01268 472586 Sylvia Buckley 01268 472586 Wickford North Tony Ball 01268 454564 Carole Morris 01268 457488 Michael Mowe 01268 463564 Wickford Park Don Morris 01268 457488 Christopher Jackman 01268 571843
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March 09
Building a better future for everyone
Hotel is sign of support
Top class sports facilities New sporting village will train stars of the future Exciting new artist’s impressions of what Basildon’s Sporting Village could look like have been revealed. They show how the 50 metre international-standard swimming pool, fitness suite and gymnastic centre could look when the multimillion pound project opens in the next two years. As well as these brand new facilities, the Sporting Village will also include a climbing wall with bouldering area, a 750-seat covered terrace, including spaces for wheelchairs and officials. There will be six floodlit artificial turf soccer pitches, and extended car and coach parking. The plans were unveiled as part of an application for ‘approval of reserved matters’. This means putting forward the fine details of the building design for the council to examine. The council has not yet made
any final decision on this application, and a development partner has yet to be selected. The Sporting Village will be built in the north of Gloucester Park. As well as sports and fitness, it will provide facilities for community and educational uses. “We welcome the submission of this reserved matters application, and it shows commitment from all sides to the project and making it happen,” said Councillor Stephen Horgan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Green Issues. “The images show just how exciting the centre could be and how it will have first-class activities, for the people of Basildon and beyond,” he added.
Apartments to be built
MODERN: The outside view, above. Top right, the gym area, and right, the swimming pool.
Rebirth to continue despite recession Work to regenerate Basildon town centre is continuing apace, despite the credit crunch. The council and Basildon Renaissance are in discussion with the Barratt Homes-Wilson Bowden consortium following British Land and Lend Lease’s decision to pull out of the project. Significant public sector projects will continue, the council has confirmed. A major new lighting scheme is set to be unveiled later in the year and improvements will be made to the train station area, with the
creation of ‘College Square.’ This work is being funded through the Homes and Communities Agency’s £2million investment in the town centre. Plans for the Learning and Skills Council-funded New Campus Basildon College were launched at the Thames Gateway Forum in November. The new college will be operational by September 2012. Discussions are also under way with public transport operators over potential improvements to the transport facilities, with more
Another building block has been cemented into the regeneration of Basildon town centre, with news that the Premier Inn chain is to open a 97-bed hotel on the site of the old Robbins cinema. Plans to turn the run-down movie house into a four-storey hotel, complete with restaurant, bar and retail space, have been approved by the council. The creation of 45 new jobs will also be a boost for local workers. The move signals major confidence by investors in the future of the town centre, despite the current economic climate and gloomy predictions for the future. The new hotel will play its part in bringing a run-down area of the town centre to life again, and may help with plans to revitalise night life. Together with improvements to the surrounding area, North Gunnells and East Square could again become a major destination. “This hotel will enhance the town centre and add vitality,” said Ian Butt, project director for the redevelopment of the town centre. “It will also provide much needed accommodation for business visitors and tourists, as well as providing new jobs.” Premier Inns already run two hotels in Basildon.
news expected soon. Weston Homes has also completed the first phase of Morello Quarter, which will eventually see more than 400 new apartments built adjacent to Basildon station. The British Land and Lend Lease joint venture partnership, which had bid for the redevelopment of the town centre withdrew from the bidding process because of the economic downturn and ‘credit crunch.’ “It is unfortunate the Joint Venture Partnership is unable to
continue in the procurement process,” said Ian Butt, the council’s development project director. “These are very testing times for the industry and regeneration projects. Throughout this process the council has kept a very close eye on the economic situation, and we have been able to take a sensible long-term perspective in our dialogue with bidders. We’re pleased we are able to continue our dialogue with Barratt HomesWilson Bowden.”
Planning approval for a scheme by Genesis Housing to build two blocks of apartments has paved the way for the regeneration of Pitsea town centre to begin. The blocks, to be built on derelict land on the fringe of the town centre will provide 121 flats, five shops and parking for 126 cars and 109 bicycles. The plans will also see an improved link between Tesco and the town centre. The Genesis scheme is the first phase of the Pitsea masterplan which proposes 500 new homes, 20,000 square metres of retail, improved community facilities, including 5,000 square metres of leisure space, improved links to the train station, and a reinvigorated market.
March 09
7
NEWS IN BRIEF
Crackdown on trollies
ON-STAGE ANTICS: Entertainers in St Martin’s Square, above, impressed everyone who took part in the anniversary celebrations.
Let’s party like it’s 1949! Basildon new Town’s 60th year is under way, and celebratory events are planned across the district. The fun kicked off with a civic ceremony on the anniversary itself, Sunday 4 January. The service was led by the council’s Chairman, Councillor Frank Tomlin and the Reverend Esther McCafferty and concluded a day of celebration in St Martin’s Square. Car enthusiasts brought along classic vehicles, while an oldstyle carousel brought back memories of an era when the town was in its infancy. There was also a market, fairground rides and street performers. The afternoon’s festivities kicked off on the Essex FM stage with singers and dancers, and was brought to a rousing finale by the Basildon Choral Society and a peal of bells from St Martin’s glass tower. Leader of the Council, Councillor Malcolm Buckley, said: “This year of celebration will inspire the present generation and tell those beyond our borders that Basildon has become a mature, thriving and energetic district, a great place to live, full of hope for the future.” Other Essex councils were represented by dignitaries who
attended a cake cutting in the To w n g a t e Theatre. Other events throughout the year include the Basildon Festival on 4 and 5 July, featuring music and events from the 1940s. Wat Tyler’s Heritage Centre opens in the spring, and there is a weekend of music planned for Lake Meadows in the summer, including a concert by Katherine Jenkins. A full programme of events will be published soon.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY These evening visitors to St Martin’s Square, above, enjoyed the singing and dancing on the stage.
Basildon Council has announced a major drive to remove abandoned supermarket trolleys from the streets. In plans being drawn up, supermarkets could be given 24 hours to round up trolleys reported to them or face a maximum £87 retrieval fee. The council is consulting 40 supermarkets about the problem, which sees more than 100 trolleys left on streets and estates every month. And that doesn’t include the ones that go unreported. The retrieval fee of £87 is carefully calculated to cover the taxpayers’ costs in collecting trolleys. It is based on £10 for collection, £2 a day to store them up to a maximum of 36 days. After this, they will be disposed of at a cost of £5. “Abandoned shopping trolleys are a hazard and an eyesore,” said Councillor Terri Sargent, Cabinet Member for Environment. “We don’t want to spend taxpayers’ money fishing trolleys out of lakes or wherever they’ve been dumped, and supermarkets don’t want to spend time and money replacing them, so we’re working together to find a solution and to encourage them to adopt preventative measures.”
Attacking the grot
HIGH NOTE: Basildon Choral Society added the music.
CUTTING THE CAKE: Civic leaders from across Essex shared a special cake, while classic car owners impressed visitors to St Martin’s Square.
Grot busters moved into Craylands for a deep clean which blasted graffiti off walls, scraped dirt and grit from pavements and removed rubbish from the streets. The three-week operation by the council’s Pride Team used the latest mechanical tools to spruce up the area, including high-tech sweepers and a special ‘weed ripper’. “This operation made a real difference to the estate, and made improvements for everyone who lives there,” said Councillor Terri Sargent, Cabinet Member for Environment. The work was carried out as part of a £150,000 investment the council made in street cleaning last year.
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NEWS IN BRIEF
Tsar Victoria leads graffiti revolution
More than just sleep Patients at Basildon University Hospital can now control their beds with a hand-held remote which electronically adjusts their position. During the last three years, more than £1million has been spent on replacing every bed and mattress in the hospital. Patients can control their own comfort by raising or lowering the bed, or putting it into an armchair position. The beds, which can help patients to stand, have readyfitted side rails, and some incorporate scales so patients can be weighed without having to be moved. Maggie Rogers, Director of Nursing, said: “By providing all patients with these beds, the overall quality of care is improved. The more independence we give people, the better they recover and the quicker they get home.”
Wait times are shorter Waiting times at Basildon and Orsett Hospitals are the shortest they have ever been and have been cut ahead of national targets. Recent figures released show the hospital trust met the national 18-week referral to treatment target last October, three months before the January 2009 deadline. Mark McGrath, Director of Planning and Development at the hospital, said: “This is fantastic news for patients. “Our staff have pulled out all the stops to achieve the target early. Waiting times at the trust are now the shortest they’ve ever been, and we will continue to work hard to keep them that way.”
Help in an emergency Free with your District Diary is a handy guide on what to do if an emergency hits Basildon. The guide includes advice like preparing a ‘grab bag’ of batteries, a torch, phone charger, spare keys, important documents and spare glasses. It has been designed to include phone numbers and can be kept in your wallet.
Victoria Ingram will be spearheading the fight against graffiti in her new role as Basildon’s first specialist liaison and enforcement officer. She will specifically tackle graffiti on private property which blights the district and increases fear of crime. Victoria, the council’s graffiti tsar, will work with businesses and landowners to remove graffiti and clamp down on offenders. NO MESS: Victoria Ingram, who is cleaning up the district.
£142m boon for council homes work Thousands of council house tenants across Basildon could benefit from £142m of Government supported borrowing to improve their homes. The money, offered by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), follows negotiations with the Government and is only £800,000 less than the council’s original bid. Some 11,500 homes managed by St Georges Community Housing, an arms length company set up by the council, will be upgraded as part of the Government’s ‘Decent Homes’ initiative.
The work will mostly consist of new kitchens and bathrooms and is expected to take five years. Andrew Baggott, Basildon Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “This will make an enormous difference to thousands of families.” The council can only access the money if St George’s achieves a two-star rating at its Audit Commission re-inspection in June. John Robb, Chair of St Georges Board, said: “This is the news we have been waiting for, it is now for the organisation, the board, the council and our partners to step up to the mark.”
Hands tied over rents rise Council house rents are due to rise by an average of 5.8 per cent this year. Government guidelines and financial arrangements leave the council with little flexibility in setting rents. However, the council’s housing
budget includes £200,000 for repairs and projects, £60,000 to raise the level of estate maintenance. A further £100,000 has been set aside to provide financial support to help tenants and leaseholders who may experience difficulties.
She said: “Currently, the council is unable to remove griti from private land or property without the owner’s permission. “I will be encouraging businesses and owners to clean it off themselves or try and reach an agreement allowing the council to do the work at cost price.” Victoria’s role will also mean helping police to catch offenders by sharing information with them and carrying out surveillance at known hotspots. She will also develop a database containing all
Gorgeous Gardens STYLISH: The impressive features in the Arnolds’ winter garden in Billericay, including a range of pots, trees and even a few flowers.
This is the first of Basildon’s Gorgeous Gardens to win pride of place in the District Diary. The garden belongs to Mr and Mrs Arnold of Courtlands, Billericay. The Arnolds say their garden is special because it has been designed specifically to be attractive during the winter. It has five different kinds of Dogwood, two white silver Birches, four Mahonias and three Witch Hazels, all of which are known to be attractive during the winter. The couple only began constructing the garden three years ago and have built it up to this standard without any
We’re on the lookout for bright Sparks Despite gloomy predictions for the jobs market, Basildon Council is at the heart of a drive to ensure staff have the skills and talent to take it into the future. It has developed the Spark Programme which aims to prepare future leaders and ensure its workforce is equipped with the skills to meet demands. Its goal is to forge strong links with schools, businesses and the community to attract candidates to its graduate programme,
apprentice scheme, undergraduate placements, student placements, and school work experience. Since its launch four years ago, many young people have found positions with the council as graduates and apprentices. They are taken on to the Spark Programme for two years and work in several departments. In the past these have included leisure, finance, horticultural and groundskeeping, democratic services, the chief executive’s
the ‘tags’ - graffiti signatures found across the district. Councillor Terri Sargent, the council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Graffiti is a blight on the environment, costs thousands of pounds to clean up, and increases the fear of crime. “We are treating this type of mindless vandalism as a priority and have invested in the new role to make our communities cleaner places to live and work.” Anyone caught spraying graffiti can be fined £75 on the spot.
office, and in human resources. “The council is one of the largest employers in the district and it is vital to attract top calibre people to ensure it continues to deliver services,” said Councillor Phil Turner, Cabinet Member for Resources. “We value our existing staff very highly, but new talent can teach us as well. Many are straight out of university and college and bring the latest practices, and different methods.”
outside help from professional gardeners. Councillor Malcolm Buckley, Leader of the Council, said: “People contribute to their local environment in different ways, and not everyone has the time or ability to manage a garden. But we want to celebrate one way that people can show pride in the area they live. It doesn’t matter if it is an acre of land or a back yard. We want to see how creative and talented our gardeners can be.” Send your Gorgeous Gardens to Paul Ilett, The Basildon Centre, St Martin’s Square, Basildon SS14 1DL, or to to paul.ilett@basildon.gov.uk.
Have you got the right stuff?
The council will be taking on its latest batch of eight apprentices this September.
Applicants, aged 16-24, need three GCSEs grades A-C. Application forms will be available later in the year. email for more info: sparks@basildon.gov.uk
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Charities win at Chairman Frank’s annual dinner
Cllr Stephen Hillier, Chief Executive Bala Mahendran, Cllr Sandra Hiller, event organiser Elaine Russell, Council Chairman Cllr Frank Tomlin, Rev Esther McCafferty and Mr McCafferty at the dinner.
More than £6,000 was raised for three charities at this year’s Basildon Council Chairman’s annual dinner. The three to benefit were the local branch of the Royal British Legion, the Basildon Choral Society and the Basildon Arts Trust. A number of the district’s business leaders joined councillors at the dinner, further strengthening the bonds between the authority and private firms. The final total of how much was raised for the charities will be known in May.
Court: Travellers can be evicted Basildon Council has started planning for an eviction of travellers living unlawfully at sites in the district. The move comes after the Court of Appeal’s unanimous ruling that the council acted lawfully when it decided to take direct action against travellers who refused to move on. The council is working with partners including the police and Essex County Council.
However, the message from the council to the travellers to leave of their own accord, now that the planning arguments are exhausted, is resulting in a number of them asking for assistance to move on voluntarily. Councillor Malcolm Buckley, Leader of the Council, said “Noone can doubt the trauma of a forced eviction, however well planned, which is why the council’s aim is to persuade the
travellers to leave voluntarily. “For those who persist, the council is prepared to use all necessary resources to achieve compliance.” Legal action was first taken by the council in 2005, but the travellers applied for a Judicial Review and the council was prevented from taking any action. The council went to the High Court in February 2008 but its decision to remove the travellers
was deemed unlawful. Basildon appealed to the Court of Appeal, which overturned the High Court and has ruled the decision to evict the travellers was lawful. Council officers will help all families who volunteer to move, to make sure their needs are met. This may involve planning for specific health needs, making arrangements for a child’s schooling, assisting a traveller
family to secure a place to move to or just giving out general advice. The Council has also taken specialist advice, to ensure all responsibilities as a housing authority are met. Councillor Buckley added: “The personal circumstances of the travellers have to be considered at every stage but these have to be weighed against the right of the settled community to environmental protection.”
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NEWS IN BRIEF
Are you in the frame? Do you love taking photos? How would you like to be rewarded for it as well? Basildon Renaissance is giving you that chance with a competition that could earn you a £100 Jessops voucher. To enter, upload your photo of the people or places of Basildon to the More Basildon website, set up to keep people informed about the regeneration of the town centre. Monthly winners will get a £25 voucher and all entries will go into a prize draw for the chance of winning a £100 voucher. Upload your photo to w w w. m o r e b a s i l d o n . c o m where you will find more details.
Register for your vote There will be no elections to the district council this year, but Essex County Council and European Parliamentary elections will be held on Thursday 4 June. Make sure you are registered to vote if you want to have a say in these elections. Your application to be included on the electoral register must be received by Basildon Council 5pm on 19 May If you want to register for a postal vote, you must also apply by the same date. To check if you are on the register or, if you are new to the district, contact the council’s electoral services team on 01268 294352.
A127 works A total of £700,000 is to be pumped into the business heart of Basildon through the Basildon Renaissance Partnership Money will be spent improving the A127 business corridor, where firms employ nearly 40,000 people. It will pay for new signs, access to industrial estates and making businesses more visible from the roadside. This will promote them and make it clear how many companies have already made the district their home.
Great value entertainment for the whole family
Audiences loved Cinders – Towngate’s best show Last year’s pantomime, Cinderella, broke all Towngate Theatre records, and has already set the stage for this year’s blockbuster, Jack and the Beanstalk. Theatre boss Paul Brace is confident the new production of the family favourite will go a step further in establishing Basildon’s community theatre as the first choice for Essex’s panto lovers.
Cinderella was a sell-out during its run at Christmas and, together with popular acclaim, even won rave reviews from the theatre industry’s newspaper, The Stage which described the all-star production as ‘fast moving’ and ‘entertaining’. More than 17,000 people saw the show. This is at least more than double the number that saw the previous year’s production of
Snow White, which marked the return of panto to the Towngate after a 10-year absence. “Cinderella was a marvellous show to rival anything in the West End, and was our most successful panto ever,” said Councillor Kevin Blake, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Open Spaces. “Even though the country might be in the grip of a recession, it didn’t stop record numbers of
people flooding through the doors to enjoy a traditional festive tonic to forget the gloom for a few hours. “By raising the bar, we’ve set the standards others will have to follow and I’m sure Jack and the Beanstalk will raise pantomime to even greater heights this year,” he added. The Towngate celebrates its 21st birthday later this year.
Jo’s family will go to the Disneyland ball! Jo Parmenter has got it all buttoned up when it comes to winning competitions. She and her family, from Eversley, were the lucky winners of the Towngate Theatre’s Cinderella pantomime competition for a long weekend break to Disneyland Paris. Unfortunately, Simon Fielding, who starred as Buttons, wasn’t able to join Jo to collect her prize. But in true theatre style, the show must go on, and his cardboard cut-out gallantly stepped in to lend a hand. Jo, husband John and children Jack, eight and Jessica, four, expect to take their Disney break during the school holidays. Jo said: “This will be the first time the kids have been to a Disney theme park, and they can’t wait. They jumped up and
DELIGHTED: Jo Parmenter with ‘Simon Fielding’ collecting her prize.
down when I told them we’d won the competition. They could hardly believe it, and nor could I at first – I thought someone was playing a joke. It certainly was a lovely surprise and a great way to start the year.” To win, entrants had to identify the day when Cinderella would be opening Santa’s grotto at the Eastgate Centre. Out of more than 1,000 winning answers, Mrs Parmenter’s name was picked at random. Jo, a beautician, added: “I’d read a lot about the pantomime when I entered the competition and have to say all the family thought it was fantastic. “Simon Fielding was great and the flying horse was amazing. We’ll certainly be going to the theatre again to see Jack and the Beanstalk this year.”
Rock ‘n’ pop on theatre’s 2009 menu A great line up of tribute acts at the Towngate Theatre during the coming months will transport you back to the heady days of pop, rock and soul. The Morriston Phoenix Male Choir kick off the season on 20 March, closely followed by a tribute to country legend Patsy Cline on 22 March. The Bootleg
Sixties perform on 25 March and Lennon the Legend on 26 March. Soul Night is sure to get you on your feet on 12 April while the original Blockheads, sadly minus the late Ian Dury, take to the stage on 15 April. From soul to west coast country rock, Eagles tribute band Desperado make their first
Basildon appearance on 24 April and 60s legends, the Manfreds appear on 25 April. Two big shows bring June to a close. The first is the Motown Show, direct from Detroit, a fitting reunion in this, Motown’s 50th anniversary year. ABBA The Show brings the songs and sequins of Sweden’s
biggest export amazingly to life on 18 June. But it’s not all about music. There’s All Star Wrestling on 18 March, and comedy from the Vagina Monologues between 15 May and 1 June. The Towngate Theatre’s box office can be contacted on 01268 465465.
Speedier service from council staff as sick days are cut Basildon Council’s staff will be serving residents even more efficiently, after work by the HR department led to a drop in the number of sick days which
employees take. New policies put in place by the human resources department have seen staff sickness drop from 12.2 days per year to just 8.2 for
2007/8. That is one of the lowest levels of any UK council New initiatives include staff speaking to a nurse when they call in sick, and strict monitoring of
the days which workers are sick. A support network has also been set up for workers who may be experiencing personal problems outside of the office.
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The future of Victoria Park is in your hands Victoria Park in Laindon is set for a makeover, and you can help sow the seeds of its future by sending your comments and ideas. It follows the announcement that the council’s regeneration partner, Basildon Renaissance, is to pay for a design and landscape study to see how it can be improved for future generations. Contracted designers and landscape architects will examine all issues affecting the park, such as paving and paths, seating and planting. Using the information gathered, they will put forward options for its regeneration. The work will be funded through Section 106 contributions. This is money the council negotiates with developers when granting planning permission for building
work, and is used for the wider prosperity of the district. “We are committed to keeping the park as a green community space, and it is in need of some improvements,” said Councillor Malcolm Buckley, Leader of the Council. “For these reasons, I am pleased Basildon Renaissance funding will enable work to go ahead. “It will ensure we have expert views on how to improve the park when funds become available, and I would urge the Laindon community to contribute their views.” Send your comments and opinions on how the park could be improved by email to brp@basildon.gov.uk or by post to Freepost ANG11276, Basildon Renaissance Partnership, St Martin’s Square, Basildon, SS14 VIEWS NEEDED: Residents have been invited to give their opinion on the future of Victoria Park, photographed here during the snow in January. 1ZZ.
Wat Tyler centre is jewel in our crown The countdown to the opening of Wat Tyler Country Park’s heritage centre is under way. Work is progressing well on the £2.3million project, and if everything continues to go to plan, the centre should be ready for its grand opening in the summer. A key stage in the development was reached in January, when the eco-friendly boiler to power the centre was delivered from Austria. It will be installed and tested during February and March. The 240kW furnace is fuelled by a sustainable crop of fast-growing willow, that will be grown and harvested on a reclaimed landfill site close to the centre. Other features include insulation made from recycled newspapers, passive ventilation, a green roof alive with plants and a rainwater collection system that will flush
toilets and top-up nearby ponds during dry weather. The centre has been created out of a former munitions factory dating from 1910. It will house an interactive exhibition, education facilities, conference rooms and a venue for performing arts and functions, plus a café with views across the marshland. As well as the Wat Tyler Centre, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is creating an information centre and retail outlet in the park, that will make Wat Tyler a great visitor experience for a wide
range of interests and ages. Visitors to the park are expected to jump from the current 290,000 to more than 400,000 annually. The Wat Tyler Centre is part of a £5.3 million project for the park, with funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, East of England Development Agency and Veolia ES Cleanaway and Pitsea Marshes Trust. Other improvements include raised walkways across wetlands, new trails where visitors can discover the history of the park, and a village green with pond. Councillor Kevin Blake, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Arts, said, “The centre will become the jewel in the crown of what is already a fantastic country park. We look forward to welcoming thousands of new visitors as well as those who already know and love the park.”
You can join living archive Residents can play a part in creating a legacy that will live on for generations to come. Wat Tyler Country Park is asking local residents to provide old photos and documents for the district’s first historical archive. The collection will be digitised and housed in the new Wat Tyler Centre. It can then be used as a resource for those who want to learn about the district’s past.
The council already has a huge amount of material which has been stored for decades, but there must be a treasure trove of material in private hands that will give the collection greater importance. All material will be carefully scanned and entered on to the computer system, then returned to its owner. The digital archive will allow
serious students and amateur historians alike to access the wealth of audio and visual material by using an electronic database that will search key words. If you think you may have something of significance that could be included in the living archive, contact Open Spaces Manager, Steve Prewer on 01268 465380.
Comment on open spaces The council has launched a survey calling on all residents to give their views on open spaces in the district. It covers both council and privately-owned areas and is intended to help the authority
decide its future priorities in this area. It will also help officers to raise funds from outside bodies to spend on parks, greens and nature reserves. Copies are available from the Basildon Centre.
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March 09
The website all charities should visit Every charity knows finding money to keep important activities going is one of the biggest and most timeconsuming headaches they face. Now though, the search has been made easier thanks to Basildon Council, which has launched two new websites bringing together a host of grant giving and funding providers. The sites can be found through Basildon Council’s website, www.basildon.gov.uk, or at: www.open4community. info/basildon www.open4socialenterprise. info/basildon They can be accessed by anyone, but are particularly relevant for people involved with charities or social enterprise schemes. Users register in a free, two minute process and can search both sites to find the names,
contact details and remit of hundreds of funds in Basildon district, across Essex, around the UK and beyond, which may be able to help with costs. Users can browse through lists of funders, including the National Lottery, or carry out a specific funding search. By launching these websites, the council hopes to make the funding process easier, to bring more money into the district. A sample search of the community website for an organisation focused on education and training, which was a registered charity active for between two and five years, and looking for money to pay for building or renovation work found 23 government funds or schemes, two National Lottery schemes and three trusts which prefer to give funding in the Basildon area.
New deal to help vulnerable people A groundbreaking plan to help Basildon Council deliver a new deal for the district’s more vulnerable residents has been developed. A commitment to fair treatment and chances for everyone is at the heart of new ‘Opportunities for All’ strategy, backed by £300,000 of Government funding. The three-year plan, which runs from from now until 2012, will see the council bring together its long-standing desire to support all sections of the diverse community and explain how it will do it. It sets out the council’s policies and aims on fairness and equal treatment, with an acknowledgement of its legal duties. It commits the council to providing quality customer care and fair and equal access to its services for all. It also covers the need for an open approach to workforce development and maintaining fair recruitment, employment and training policies and practices.
In adopting Opportunities for All, the council is sending out a message that fairness and equality is important because everyone has a right to fair treatment, equal access to services and to feel part of their community. Among the aims are to improve the quality of, and access to, the services the council provides to the community, to build a more highly skilled and inclusive workforce and to ensure the talents of all contribute to the social vibrancy and economic life. Councillor Andrew Baggott, Basildon’s Cabinet Member for Communities, re-affirmed the council’s ambitions and vision. He said: “It is about our continuous efforts to help safeguard the future welfare and life opportunities of every person in the district. “We want Basildon to be a place where people want to be, and where the private sector wants to come to and invest to create long-term opportunities ”.
How we help you: www.basildon.gov.uk
Fun day with a serious message
The Smarty Pants Agency dancers entertained visitors during the day, which gave lots of advice to disabled people. Many members of the public, like those below, also visited stalls and events.
Shoppers in Basildon town centre recently had the chance to experience first-hand some of the difficulties disabled people face every day. The council, working with Dial Basildon and South Essex. transformed St Martin’s Square into a centre of disabled activity to mark the International Day of Disabled People. A huge, heated marquee was erected and hosted live entertainment, including a set from X Factor finalist, Austin
Drage, and performances from schools and arts groups. A number of organisations exhibited their services and offered information to help make life easier for the disabled. People were able to find out what life might be like in a wheelchair by taking on the wheelchair obstacle challenge, while others learnt about practical ways to help overcome other types of physical impairments. Councillor Andrew Baggott,
Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Overall the event was a great success and many people expressed their appreciation over the way we and other organisations tried to raise people’s awareness of this very important issue.” Contact the Dial Disability Helpline on 08454 4503001/2
Watch your council in action on YouTube Young people can now check out the latest news from the council on the YouTube website. Fans of the video sharing site can now watch short clips about the work of the council after it launched its own channel. The council plans to use the site to let residents know what is going on in the district, and sees it as a particularly good way to engage with younger people. So far the YouTube channel features footage from the launch of the council’s new anti-smoking
litter campaign and behind-thescenes footage from the Christmas lights switch-on, including interviews with X
Factor finalist Austin Drage and TV star Sandra Dickinson. “We are trying to connect with a younger audience by using a medium they are likely to be more interested in,” said Councillor Malcolm Buckley, Leader of the Council. “It’s important we keep in touch with changing trends and use technology to keep people informed.” You can find the site by going on to the internet and visiting youtube.com/basildoncouncil
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Silver surfers join the web-olution
CCTV goes 24/7 thanks to new cash Residents and visitors in Basildon should feel safer when the district’s network of CCTV cameras is monitored 24-hoursa-day. The network of cameras around Basildon, Billericay and Wickford has received a £200,000 Government funding boost, which it can access from April this year. When it becomes available, the extra money means that the 64 cameras can be monitored night and day by trained operators, The council’s closed circuit television network covers the town centres, and also extends to Royal Court, Laindon, Brooke House in Basildon, and Lake Meadows in Billericay. Councillor Malcolm Buckley, Leader of the Council, said increased monitoring would help deter criminals and reduce the fear of crime.
He said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding. It is a huge boost for the security of our town centres. “This council is committed to improving community safety by helping the police tackle crime and disorder.” The move to 24-hour monitoring means the cameras will be used to their full potential. Operators will be able to report any incidents to the police as they occur and this will potentially lead to a higher arrest and conviction rate. It will allow officers to react faster to issues as they arise. Local traders also welcomed the extra funding. Trevor Draper, Chairman of the Billericay Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s very positive that the council has got this funding. Extended coverage will reassure businesses and shoppers.”
NEW SKILLS: Sarah Fulton teaches the ‘silver surfers’ how to use a computer.
Pensioners will find it easier to stay in touch with family and friends thanks to a cyberspace revolution at sheltered homes across the district. All 47 council housing complexes are taking delivery of a communal computer and high speed broadband internet. Each will come equipped with easy-to-use web cameras so residents with family and friends living abroad or far away can see and talk to them online. And to help people make the most of the new service,
residents have been offered training in basic computing The computers have been paid for through efficiency savings achieved by St George’s Community Housing Association, which manages the council’s housing, while the training has been funded through the government’s Skills for Life programme. The whole thing is free and residents only have to pay for paper and ink for printers. As well as staying in touch, the computers will help those who
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SALE PRICE £949.95
£521 AFTERSALE PRICE £1199.95
can’t get around too well to do their shopping online, and they will be able to access services and information about health, welfare, and hobbies. Councillor Andrew Baggott, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “The internet can make a crucial difference to the lives of elderly people and we don’t believe age should be a barrier to anyone benefiting from it. “I hope this scheme helps people stay in touch and makes life a little easier for them.”
£826
£782
AFTERSALE PRICE £1699.95
AFTERSALE PRICE £1399.95
BASILDON
To A127
TOWN CENTRE Westgate
Time Square, Essex
01268 522209
Market GALA
CAR PARK
AT ALL STORES Basildon Hospital
Train Stn
14
Essex Beds ZZ
To A13
†Pictures for illustration purposes only. Headboards & accessories are extra unless otherwise stated. Sale goods will be offered for sale at the higher price for at least 28 days in the preceding 6 months at either our Romford, Chelmsford, Hadleigh, Maldon, Southend and Basildon stores. Collection and disposal of old beds, if required, £15. Delivery charge from £14. Licensed credit brokers. *Price Promise excludes internet retailers.
March 09
15
Recycle now and your family can help protect the world for the future
Garden cuts now picked up all year Garden waste recycling collections resumed in January, making it the first time the scheme has run all year round. Basildon Council runs the scheme to help more than 60,000 households compost their grass, twigs, leaves and plants. Councillor Terri Sargent, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “We have extended the scheme to help people compost their garden waste easily.” The council introduced garden waste wheeled bins to almost all households last year. The bins spelt an end to the former scheme which used cornstarch sacks, and was only available to households which signed up to it. The move resulted in more than 7,700 tonnes of garden waste being collected in the first six months of the financial year, compared to 5,400 tonnes in the equivalent period of 2007/08.
Rural pick up Homes in rural areas are to get recycling collections for the first time. More than 700 homes in places like Little Burstead, Old Nevenden Road and Dry Street have been added to the pink sack and glass recycling rounds. Converted vans able to pick up both sacks and recycling will be used to cut costs. “This is a milestone for our recycling service as it means every house can now recycle,” said Councillor Sargent.
Your recycling will help improve environment It’s business as usual for recycling in the district, despite national media reports of councils in other parts of the UK stockpiling waste they cannot get rid of. Basildon Council has established, long-term contracts in place to ensure recycling is dealt with properly. This means as that council has established suppliers already in place to take the materials once they have been collected from the streets. The council is committed to recycling and is continuing to
this fantastic achievement can’t continue into 2009. “I would like to reassure everyone that, despite media reports of councils stockpiling materials, Basildon continues to recycle materials put out by residents. “Materials you do not put in your recycle bin will definitely end up in landfill, which is both costly and bad for the environment. “Financially, despite the fall in prices for some recycled materials, it is still more cost-
Make sure your shopping is green! Free bags given away by Basildon Renaissance to help shoppers have proved such a hit that a new batch have been ordered. More than 3,000 have now been given out, with a further 2,000 on order. The free bags are made from recycled cotton and have been printed as part of the ‘More Basildon’ campaign, which promotes the town centre and aims to raise awareness of the regeneration taking place over the next 20 years. You can put an end to the piles of plastic bags that fill up cupboards by picking up a bag from the Basildon Centre reception. Some will also be available from the library. More details online at www.morebasildon.com
All hands on deck More than 500 tonnes of grit was spread on to Basildon’s streets by the council during January and February’s snowfalls. Co-ordinated activity across several departments meant that 120 staff were diverted from their usual work to help grit or clear snow from frozen pathways. Main travel routes, shopping centres, day centres access paths and hospitals were among the places targeted to ensure people could carry on with their daily lives. And as the snow fell, the council reassured residents that extra staff would be put in place to keep
provide services as normal. As a nation, we recycle around 9.7million tonnes of glass, paper, plastic packaging and other materials per year. Councillor Terri Sargent, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “In Basildon, recycling has been a great success story – we have managed to save 25,717 tonnes of waste from going to our landfill sites in the past year alone. “We are proud of this and would like to applaud residents for their efforts. There is no reason why
rubbish collections as regular as possible. The heaviest snowfall in 18 years forced collections to be postponed for a very short period of time during January, due to health and safety fears for refuse collectors and their vehicles because icy roads and pavements. People were told to put their rubbish out as normal and the council cleared the waste backlog in less than a week. Despite the freezing conditions which hit much of Essex, council staff battled their way into work and no other services were affected by the weather.
Basildon Council’s receptionists Sue and Maria are really pleased with their More Basildon bags.
effective than sending waste to landfill. “Although the price for some lower quality materials, such as mixed papers – which are among the most affected materials – has reduced, it is still preferable to paying to send it to landfill. That makes economic sense for us as a council and for our Council Tax payers.” For more information on the district’s recycling services, visit www.basildon.gov.uk/recycling.
Waste praise from Terri Residents enjoyed a green Christmas by helping to recycle hundreds of tonnes of festive waste. Figures for the first five collection days after the break show the council picked up 365 tonnes of recycling, compared to 198 tonnes in the year before. Councillor Terri Sargent, Basildon Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, praised residents for almost doubling the amount of recyclable materials that were left out. She said: “This is a huge amount of rubbish people have helped to save from being dumped in landfill. “We have worked hard to expand our recycling service, and make it more convenient for people to use, and would like to thank them for taking part.”
Drive off you could still be fined warning MOTORISTS parking illegally in Basildon can now be hit with fines – through the post. Basildon Council has adopted new parking regulations to catch motorists who drive off while a ticket is being issued. Until now, parking attendants have been required to hand a fine to drivers or leave it on the windscreen. This led to some motorists escaping the £35 penalty by driving off before the warden had finished writing the ticket. But under new changes, drivers
who make a getaway, or use threatening behaviour, could find their penalty catches up with them in the post. Councillor Terri Sargent, Basildon Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Nobody likes receiving a parking ticket, whether it’s on their windscreen or in the post, but rules exist to help beat congestion and improve safety. “We hope these new regulations encourage more people to obey the parking rules for the benefit of all road users.
She added: “These new regulations have been made available to all local authorities under the Traffic Management Act. “We have chosen to adopt them to ensure people obey the parking rules, which apply to us all.” In order to issue a ticket by post, parking wardens must already have started writing the ticket, and taken down details of the car’s make, colour, registration and tax disc. Since 2003, 420 drivers have driven off before the warden could issue a fine.
To find out how Basildon Council is serving you, visit www.basildon.gov.uk
16
March 09
Sweat it out for less A cut-price gym has been launched to help people keep their finances as healthy as their bodies during the current tough times. Gym Express, based at the Eversley Leisure Centre, offers the same state-of-the-art fitness equipment you would find in the most exclusive of health clubs, but at a fraction of the price. Just £15 a month will buy you unlimited sessions in a studio that boats 30 fitness stations, including treadmills, crosstrainers, steppers, rowers, exercise bikes, and weights. The studio is air-conditioned and has plasma screen TVs. Qualified fitness instructors are on hand for one-to-one fitness sessions and tailor-made programmes. The car park is also free. Unlike most other gym
memberships, there is no joining fee at the Basildon Council-run centre, and people are not tied to a contract, meaning they won’t be hit for monthly fees if finances are tight. “The effects of the economic downturn are threatening to turn people away from gyms and can force them to cancel luxury items like gym memberships. “That’s why we are launching a gym that gives people unlimited access to the latest fitness equipment at a fraction of the cost,” said Councillor Kevin
Survey says... we’re all getting fitter
WORKOUT: Gym Express staff Sarah Brace, Matthew Hamilton and James Dennis test the new equipment.
Blake, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Arts “We hope Gym Express will help people stay fit, save money and lose the right sort of pounds,” he added.
Opening times Monday: 9am – 10pm Tuesday: 9am – 10pm Wednesday: 9am – 10pm Thursday: 10am – 11pm Friday: 9am – 9pm Saturday: 9am – 5pm Sunday: 9am – 9pm Contact Eversley Leisure Centre on 01268 583076
More Basildon residents are taking part in sport, according to a new survey. Research from Sport England shows the number of people exercising for at least 30 minutes, three times a week has risen from 17.6 per cent in 2006, to 20.2 per cent in 2008. Councillor Kevin Blake, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Arts said: “The district was set a target in 2006 to increase participation by 1.5 per cent, but has almost doubled that at 2.6 per cent. “The council has played its part by investing heavily in new sports facilities and running more activities for people of all ages.” Dr Neel Bhaduri, public health commissioning manager for South West Essex Primary Care Trust, said: “This is a good example of how partnership work between the council and primary care trust is helping to tackle obesity and help people stay fit and healthy.” Recent council spending on sport includes a £400,000 revamp of the artificial pitch at Gloucester Park. Work on a new £400,000 regional netball centre at the park is also under way. The jump in participation levels is also linked to schemes run by the council in partnership with the primary care trust. These include the MEND programme which gave clinically obese children and their families, free passes to use council leisure centres for two months.
New pool owners say it’s all going swimmingly Major modernisation work to Billericay swimming pool has now been completed and it is open for business under new leaseholders, First Strokes. The council owns the Radford Crescent facility and struck a deal to lease it to First Strokes in exchange for a £50,000 investment, securing the pool’s future for many years to come. Printed on 75% recycled paper. Please recycle your District Diary after reading.
First Strokes is an awardwinning company which has run swim schools across the country for many years. Work to renovate the facility included a new reception area and a new shop which sells swimming accessories and refreshments. The poolside viewing area has been partitioned off from the front reception and has been fitted out
with air conditioning, new lighting, flooring and furniture. The disabled accessible toilets have been upgraded and improvements to the changing rooms are planned, as is new signage and CCTV. Behind the scenes, the plant room has been improved with a new filter and refurbished pipes to improve water quality.
Councillor Phil Turner, Basildon’s Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “There was a lot of anxiety in the community about possible closure of the pool, but its future has never been in doubt. “This was a fantastic deal for taxpayers and we are confident First Strokes will continue to maintain and improve the pool for
Basildon District 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 Malcolm Buckley
the benefit of residents.” Gillian Dovey, managing director of First Strokes, said: “We have been delighted to work with the council, which has enabled us to launch our awardwinning swim school in Billericay. The significant investment to the centre will benefit residents and offer a safer, more comfortable environment.”