SPRING 2014
CRUNCH TIMES The Crunch Service is a mobile waste disposal facility that tours the borough which residents can use to dispose of bulkier items of rubbish. Locations marked with a G can also be used for the disposal of green waste. The Crunch Service is not suitable for paints, oils or other waste liquids. The Crunch is from 9am to noon at each site, unless otherwise stated. Further details are available at basildon.gov.uk/recycling
8 March Ramsden Bellhouse Village Hall Car Park Lee Chapel North Plough and Tractor Pub Langdon Hills - Triangle Shops 15 March Wickford - Kershaws Close Rear of Nevendon Road Shops Billericay - Carvers Wood Laindon - Laindon Link opposite Kingdom Hall 22 March Laindon - Noak Bridge Coppice Lane Vange - Barge PH 9am to 11am Ryedene 11am to noon Fryerns - Frypa Hall 29 March Pitsea Mount Brackendale Avenue Wickford - The Wick Country Park Laindon - Basildon Drive Junction with Dickens Drive 5 April Wickford - Rettendon View 9an to 11am 11am to noon Pippin Court Billericay - Hannikins Farm Laindon - Little Oxcroft Service Road 12 April Wickford - Kershaws Close Rear of Nevendon Road Shops Lee Chapel North - Rear of Plough and Tractor in Car Park Langdon Hills - Valence Way Junction w/ Debden Green Craylands – Norwich Walk – Rear of shops 3 May Wickford - Keats Way Opp. No. 3 Council Garage Area Billericay - Carvers Wood Laindon West - Thornton Way/Sparkbridge Parking Area Barstable West - Church Road Junction with Clickett Hill
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New homes & investment in Basildon communities BASILDON Council’s housing boss has announced plans to build new homes for local people and invest in communities. Councillors approved a number of big investments in the borough’s housing as cabinet discussed the financial forecast for housing for the next four years in February. This coincided with approval for plans to form a council-owned housing company to build new homes in the borough. £97million will be spent on the housing stock including significant investment in improving communities. The package includes £2.5million funding for new affordable homes, and a £100,000 a year investment in tidying and managing council housing estates. £100,000 will also be invested over two years in training the tenancy and estate management teams on how to detect housing fraud. Deputy Leader of the Council, Phil Turner said: “We are committed to providing value for money and this is why we are investing £97million into our housing to ensure every tenant has a decent, efficiently heated home set in a clean and pleasant environment. “This is not just about bricks and mortar. It’s about improving the lives of our residents too. “We have also frozen tax and kept rent increases below the recommended amount as we should
be putting pounds in people’s pockets after such austerity endured in recent years.” The council has invested £200,000 in a Wholly Owned Company (WOC) that will carry out development and investigative work on councilowned land earmarked to be developed. There are currently 10 sites being looked at for development of around 100 homes in the next two years. Sites in Roman Way, Billericay and Paslowes Basildon, are among the 10 sites being investigated. Cllr Turner added: “This is about putting residents first and being in the driving seat when it comes to building new homes for local people. “This will have the multiple benefits of creating much needed new homes, regenerating small areas of land and tackling anti-social behaviour, whilst offering value for money for local people. “By forming our own company we will be able to provide quality affordable homes and help to stimulate economic activity. “We can also provide our residents with training and earning opportunities through apprenticeships in partnership with local education providers.” The homes will be available across a range of tenures including affordable rent, private sale and shared equity. The WOC will be responsible for engaging with contractors to build the properties.
More new homes for the borough
Wickford’s transformation The regeneration of Wickford town centre has started with the £2.4m renovation of Wickford swimming pool. Work to bring the building up to modern standards started in January and followed the approval of plans by the council in December. A new fitness suite, main entrance and reception, changing rooms and studios will also be created as part of an extension. The refurbishment of the pool and changing rooms will be completed by early April 2014 and the new fitness suite will open in the Autumn. The pool work is just one part of a whole package of works being carried out to improve the town. In December a modern new block of public toilets opened and plans have been submitted Work on the new Market Lane could start in the Spring to create a new ‘Market Lane’ (in the current High Street The Council has also launched a programme of alley) which will include new market kiosks, a new improvements to shop fronts on the High Street to entrance and signage, tree planting, paving and make sure the shops look as good as all the other lighting. This will be complemented by a number of changes. High Street improvements and changes to the road Cllr Malcolm Buckley, cabinet member for layout to allow for market stalls to be moved there. regeneration, said: “I am pleased that work has A new Town Square will also be created, with new started on the pool and an application has been paving and street furniture that will reinvigorate submitted for a new Market Lane. All of these this central area and encourage new investment projects are going to make a major difference and more retailers and shoppers to Wickford. to the feel and vibrancy of the town, encourage Subject to planning approval, work on the new investment and give the people of Wickford, public Market Lane could start in the Spring. facilities they deserve.”
popular crunch service continues BASILDON Council has announced the next round of dates for the popular ‘Crunch’ service. The Crunch service is a mobile civic amenity site, which provides residents the chance to bring items to a convenient location for recycling or disposal. Cllr John Dornan, cabinet member for the environment, said: “We are pleased to be able to continue the Crunch service. It is very popular amongst our residents and provides a great opportunity to get rid of those big items you may have, or if you are having a one-off clear-out or tidy up.” The Crunch timetable can be viewed at www. basildon.gov.uk, where there is also an interactive map to show locations close to your postcode.