Regeneration around the borough
Local Plan Consultation SEE PAGE 4
SEE PAGE 6
Budget & Council Tax
SEE PAGE 8&9
BOROUGHDIARY SPRING 2016
WWW.BASILDON.GOV.UK
BASILDONBOROUGHCOUNCIL
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NEWS FROM BASILDON BOROUGH COUNCIL & YOUR COMMUNITY
Basildon set to benefit from £730K to
create opportunity More than £700,000 is to be spent improving parks & open spaces, high streets, and making neighbourhoods safer after Basildon Council confirmed a range of improvements as part of its annual budget.
from Government - meaning that although improvements are happening next year, the council will face difficult decisions after that on how it provides services and which services it maintains.
The investments follow the priorities set out by residents in the council’s last community survey, and are designed to support the council’s goal of generating economic growth, attracting people and businesses to the area, and building community spirit.
The reduction in national funding, which affects all councils, means Basildon Council will face a shortfall of £9million over the next four years against what it costs to provide services.
As part of the budget for 2016/17, which included a council tax rise of 1.99% or around 10p per week, councillors agreed to spend £176,000 improving the borough’s parks, improving play areas and facilities for residents. Among them will be improvements to Nevendon skate park and play area, and a new outdoor gym at Wickford Memorial Park. A further £150,000 will go towards helping Hannakins Farm replace their synthetic sports pitch. To improve community safety, £31,000 will be spent on upgrading and improving security at Wickford High Street, including CCTV cameras. Following significant investment to refurbish Pitsea, Wickford and Basildon centres, the council will now spend £280,000 revitalising Billericay High Street. A further £60,000 will be spent resurfacing resident parking around Basildon town centre. Finally, the council will invest £33,000 to fund a community event in the town centre in Basildon this summer - part of its plan to build stronger communities. In total around £730,000 will be spent on the improvements over the next 12months. The investments will come despite the council losing 44% of the funding it receives
That gap was offset this year because the council has managed to save £3million over the past year without affecting frontline services but those savings won’t be there again. Council Leader Phil Turner said: “This is a really strong set of investment plans that will help us take a step closer towards our vision of a prosperous, economically strong borough. “Even in the face of cutbacks in government funding, we have targeted our investments that reflect residents’ priorities - they are all visible improvements that will make a difference to the borough. “We’ve tried to strike prudent management of know matter to people opportunities for people leaving the area.
a balance between the services that we locally, and creating to succeed without
“But the future isn’t going to be easy. We have lost a significant amount of funding and - while we are working hard to make the council smaller and leaner - there are going to be a lot of tough decisions ahead.” The investments were approved at the council’s annual budget meeting, where councillors also agreed a tax rise of 1.99% as it bids to bridge the funding gap. Where does your money go? See pages 8 & 9 for a full breakdown.
Cllr Terri Sargent, Cabinet Member for Community, alongside residents from the Lee Chapel North Community Association, take part in the national campaign ‘Clean for the Queen’, to clear up Britain in time for the Queen’s 90th birthday, which will be officially celebrated in June.