Winter 2013
Wickford’s makeover begins
Plans for a new leisure centre for Wickford
A number of key Wickford regeneration projects are set to be completed over the next six months. Basildon Council is to fund a £2.4m renovation of Wickford swimming pool to bring it up to modern standards. If plans are approved, a new fitness suite, main entrance and reception, changing rooms and studios will be created as part of an extension. Work is due to start in January 2014, with the refurbishment of the pool and changing rooms completed by early April 2014 and the new fitness suite opening by the end of June 2014. In other developments, the ageing public toilets have been demolished and a modern but traditional looking new block will open by the end of the year. The council is also working with the new market operator to reinvigorate this valued amenity for the town and it is proposed to move the market from its current location to the High Street alley with a number of new stalls leading into the High Street. This will be complemented by a number of High Street improvements and changes to the road layout to allow for market stalls to be moved there. Regular road closures are also being considered to promote the market, starting off with four Saturday festive markets leading up to Christmas, which started on 30 November. These improvements will also include the creation of a new Town Square, with new paving and street furniture that will reinvigorate this central area of the town and encourage new investment and more retailers and shoppers to Wickford. The aim is to start work in the New Year, to be completed and opened by early summer 2014. The Council will also be launching a programme of improvements to shop fronts on the High Street to make sure the shops look as good as all the other changes. Cllr Malcolm Buckley, cabinet member for regeneration and community safety, said: “All of these projects are going to make a major difference to the feel and vibrancy of the town, encourage investment and give the people of Wickford, public facilities they deserve.”
www.basildon.gov.uk
LOCAL homes for local people “BASILDON homes for Basildon people” is the message from a senior councillor as a consultation is launched on a new housing allocations scheme. The consultation, launched in November by Cllr Phil Turner, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing, aims to put working borough families ahead of those from outside of the borough when allocating council homes. Under new legislation (Localism Act 2011), housing authorities are able to manage their housing waiting lists by giving them power to determine which applicants do or do not qualify for an allocation of social housing within their borough. Basildon Council will be introducing a closed register to better reflect the local priorities of the borough. This power has resulted in a comprehensive overview of the council’s allocation scheme and identifies those who qualify for social housing and how it is distributed amongst Basildon residents. The changes to the scheme will also give support to those who have been affected by the welfare reform act 2012, particularly the new under-occupation criteria by adopting the bedroom standard under the Act to ensure people are not housed in homes that are larger than they require and may not be able to afford. Cllr Phil Turner said: “The new scheme is designed to give our residents the best chance of accessing homes for them and their families. We want Basildon homes for Basildon people.
Continues on page 4
Cllr Phil Turner
“This allocations scheme aims to reward working borough families with homes so they can stay close to their loved ones”
thousands ATTEND CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL Thousands turned out for this year’s Basildon Christmas Festival in November as the day long festivities throughout Basildon town centre concluded with the switching on of the Christmas lights by chart topping music star Matt Cardle. On the day there were fairground rides, a Victorian market and carousel, market stalls, a free snow globe, live entertainment from Heart Essex, as well as live animals in the town centre. A spectacular fireworks display finished off the festivities. Music star Matt Cardle turning on the Christmas lights
See photos from the day on page 13