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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.