TODAY marks one year since a new administration took office at Basildon Council Cllr Gavin Callaghan says the Borough has turned a corner “Belief has returned to Basildon,” said Cllr Callaghan we’ve focused on what matters most to local people – and the results are clear.” we have delivered on key priorities:Restored weekly black bin collections and brought back the Crunch bulky waste serviceAcquired Westgate and a Wetherspoons opening in Basildon Town Centre in 2025Built over 100 new council homes including at Chapelgate and Cricketers Court and those in need of temporary accommodationBoosted community safety: saved local PCSOs reopened Wickford Police Station as a safety hub and invested £270,000 into safety measures Backed local businesses and skills development with the Basildon Construction Academy and Basildon’s largest-ever Skills ShowSecured new health facilities including a new hospital opening in Eastgate (Autumn 2026) and the Pitsea Community Diagnostic Centre (Winter 2026)Invested £80 million in housing stock and £10 million to reduce tenant energy billsApproved 1,163 new homes generating £16.3 million for local infrastructure improvementsDeployed new pride teams and enhanced our estate environmentsAllocated £1 million through Area Committees to deliver grassroots projects and provided £11,000 in Warm Home Guarantee support to 1,000 older residentsRefreshed the Basildon First Charter ensuring all new homes are first offered to Basildon residents for up to 12 months before going to wider marketsProtected green spaces and welcomed record-breaking visitor numbers to leisure centres and theatres I’m proud to say change is happening – and it’s for the better,” added Cllr Callaghan “We’re fixing the basics while building a better future “We’re not finished – we’re just getting started The progress we’ve made together is only the beginning.” Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" THE next generation of Basildon tradespeople are getting on-the-job experience as part of an innovative initiative in a unique partnership between Basildon Council and Site Ready Solutions Ltd Four Basildon youngsters are learning a trade at the Construction Academy and they will be trained in supporting bricklayers – they are set to start work this month Running at Nethermayne’s Chapelgate development the Basildon Construction Academy is providing young and unqualified residents with pathways into the construction industry The two-week training programme is designed to make the young people productive and safe from their very first day on-site Training includes Health & Safety awareness and essential skills that ensure participants are ready to contribute immediately to a bricklaying team Trainees also receive full PPE and a CSCS card removing barriers to site access and ensuring compliance.  Basildon’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration “We said when we set the budget that The Basildon Construction Academy will be established equipping the next generation of tradespeople with the skills for careers in construction We’re delivering on our promise.  “Local residents with no qualifications are coming in and then going straight onto the site to support the bricklayers build houses and flats “This is about creating jobs for life for Basildon brickies chippies and sparkies – and building homes by local people “We promised to invest in local people – and we’re delivering” Co-Founder of Site Ready Solutions Ltd; added: “We are delighted to be partnering with GSQ Brickwork Hill and Sempra Homes to deliver training and real job opportunities in the Basildon area not only the opportunity to build homes in their local community but also to develop the skills needed to grow a long and rewarding career.”   Site Ready Solutions plan to run further cohorts in the coming weeks, so local employers looking for new talent should contact info@sitereadysolutions.co.uk Thank you - your cookie preferences have been updated Basildon Council has teamed up with a number of partners to develop a free 12 week supported programme to improve the health and wellbeing of 25 participants throughout 2025 The programme will run for 12 weeks starting from Monday we would ask you to participate in a series of short videos for use on social media to document your progress and achievements.   It will provide the opportunity to participate in a variety of physical activities at Basildon Sporting Village Feelgood Fitness and Wellness Centre or Club Kingswood.  Each facility brings its own unique strengths which allows for participants to choose the best fit for their journey depending on their preferences and goals.  A Feelgood Fitness Finding Confidence Workshop during week 6 of the programme and participation in a short video to update on progress every 4 weeks will all be included.  Follow up contact in September 2025 December 2025 and March 2026 will also be included to check in on your journey once the programme has finished live in the Basildon Borough and would like to improve your health and wellbeing during 2025 please register your interest in participating in the programme.  Please note that completion of this form is not confirmation of a place Places are limited and we will notify you if you have been successful in securing a place on the programme after the registration of interest period closes.  The deadline for registering your interest is Tuesday we mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day - a moment to come together as a community and pay tribute to the bravery and spirit of the Second World War generation across the UK and Commonwealth beacon lighting ceremonies will take place across the borough and throughout the nation Additional local events are also planned to reflect and celebrate this important chapter in our history For more information: Event info Event: Basildon Borough Heritage Society Display of historical artifacts in memory of World War Two For more information see: Event info For more information see: Event info To discover other events that you can attend please click here: more events Event: Military procession and Fypast For more information see: Event info For more information see: Event info Event: Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert Location: Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster For more information and to purchase tickets see: Event info Event: Westminster Abbey: service to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day The distribution of bags have now concluded.  Do you believe that we missed your property when delivering the bags If you live in a flat and have communal bins you will not be affected by this change and should continue to use the recycling bins provided Your next Crunch service is scheduled for 29 March 2025 Further updates will be shared on our social media channels and the Basildon Council website Basildon Council will transition to weekly collections using wheeled black bins General waste placed on the ground will not be collected Each property will effectively have double the capacity once it goes weekly and there should be plenty of room in the bin for non-recyclable waste To simplify recycling and respond to resident frustrations with the existing system The disposable bags will work the same as the current sacks You will need to separate paper and card into the blue bag and plastic and metals into the clear bag Distribution of these bags has now started Each household will receive two rolls of each bag before the new service starts on 28 April 2025 Flats with communal bins will not receive bags and should continue to use the communal recycling bins provided recycling will no longer be collected from your reusable sacks once the service goes live you are welcome to keep them for personal use the new recycling bags are not biodegradable They are single-use plastic and made from 97% recycled material You can however use these for your non-recyclable waste placing these in your black wheeled bin for collection green waste collection is a subscription-based service as it is not covered by council tax You will be able to collect more sacks free of charge from: You can continue to break this down and either fold it into a bag or place it alongside your bags on your refuse collection day You can simply drive to the recycling centre and dispose of garden waste in the designated containers There are no queues and it is really easy to use the site labelled blue bags for textiles are still in use If you need additional bags or a textile collection please visit the Essex Textiles website or contact them directly The Council will be arranging to change the textile bags to another colour individuals and companies experienced in enhancing public safety came together to discuss ideas on how to help shape the future safety of the borough how to tackle Community Safety issues such as serious violence crime and anti-social behaviour in Basildon and to drive change and make local communities safer.Discussions were had around investing in innovative technologies and organisations dedicated to supporting youth engagement This free event was a fantastic networking opportunity to connect with industry leaders and learn how Basildon is driving change to make communities safer "At the summit we discussed where to invest money in projects and initiatives that will make Basildon a safer place to live Community Safety is the number one priority for residents across the borough Let's work together to make Basildon Borough a safer place for all of us." Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement said: "At our first ever community safety summit we had a room full of people wanting to make our borough a safer place we can get new ideas on proactive ways to ensure all residents feel happy and safe." For more information on Community Safety www.basildon.gov.uk/saferbasildon  and confirmation that Basildon Council will be abolished by 2028 All five in nine months has been extraordinary Last night at a meeting of Basildon Council I presented the Council's budget for the year ahead But it was not just a budget—it was a roadmap for the future of our borough This budget is built around five priorities: services One of our first commitments was to fix the waste collection crisis weekly black bin collections return— in every house delivering a better service at a lower cost We're also expanding the Crunch service and rolling out in-cab technology to tackle fly-tipping and missed collections We're protecting our green spaces—unlike the previous administration we won't cut back maintenance services; we'll cut the grass instead we'll submit the Phase 1 Westgate Masterplan the next phase will introduce a new arena and office space A retail strategy for Basildon and Laindon town centres will be published in summer 2025 we've secured funding for a long-promised Community Diagnostic Centre We're ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with growth We need to build homes for Basildon's people—and ensure they can access them We're extending the Basildon First Charter requiring developers to market new homes exclusively to local residents for 12 months We're also launching a First-Time Buyer Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to help young people onto the housing ladder we're investing £16 million in repairs and maintenance has not improved service levels by Christmas 2025 securing £50 million for temporary accommodation and purchasing 274 homes to provide stability for families We're bringing back the successful community warden model and investing in new CCTV and safety initiatives We are reopening Wickford Police Station as a Community Safety Hub on reversing the Essex County Council decision to turn them off Our Private Landlord Licensing Scheme will generate £1 million annually for safety and enforcement A strong economy is essential for Basildon's future That's why we're launching the Basildon Construction Academy—to train the next generation of skilled workers in bricklaying We're investing £420,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund into business growth and job creation and securing £1 million from Sport England to support community health initiatives The new government moving so quickly on devolution to counties like Essex gives us an opportunity to end the undemocratic and wasteful two-tier system of local government; Basildon people will instead be able to control more for themselves locally We will be abolished by 2028 and become part of a new South West Essex with more control over our own affairs We have two years to set a course for what comes next We're allocating £1 million to ensure Basildon leads—not lags—during local government reorganisation We will not be passive observers; we will fight for the best outcomes for our residents it's a simple question: do you believe in Basildon I believe in delivering services that work for residents I believe in a future where young people can afford to live in their hometown and lays the groundwork for a Basildon that thrives Basildon is one of Essex's largest and most diverse boroughs effective policing in such an environment demands not just investment but strategic foresight the decision of the Police Commissioner and Chief Constable to close the Basildon custody suite undermines this police officers in Basildon already spend significant time travelling to Southend to process detainees This takes them away from active policing duties within our borough Closing the local custody suite will only exacerbate this issue leaving fewer officers available to respond to incidents The amount of money being spent on overtime whilst police officers combat rush hour traffic on the A127 is totally counterproductive to arguments that it will save money This isn't just about numbers or logistics It's about the human impact on a community that deserves to feel safe and secure We want our police officers on patrol in the borough While the closure of the custody suite has been presented as a cost-saving measure Increased travel between Basildon and Southend will result in higher fuel costs Officers will need overtime to compensate for extended processing times is less tangible: the cost of unresolved crime leading to an increase in unaddressed offences and a potential rise in criminal activity Such outcomes are not only unacceptable but also preventable The decision to remove this essential facility sends a disheartening message to the people of Basildon At a time when concerns about crime and safety are rising this move threatens to weaken the foundations of public safety Basildon's residents expect and deserve a robust responsive police force that prioritises their welfare Investing in community safety means more than just keeping the lights on at a police station It means ensuring that our officers have the tools and infrastructure they need to protect and serve effectively Removing the custody suite does the opposite creating barriers to efficient policing and risking the welfare of our community Basildon's challenges demand greater investment Retaining the custody suite is essential to maintaining an effective it is a statement of commitment to our community—a promise that we will not allow financial expediency to override the safety of our residents and community stakeholders can identify ways to achieve efficiencies without compromising public safety It's time to rethink this decision and reaffirm our commitment to community safety—because Basildon deserves better A 33-year-old man from Basildon has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm without intent following an assault that left a pregnant woman with serious injuries It was reported an altercation took place in the car park of the Asda supermarket in Southernhay at about 7.45pm on Saturday April 19 leaving her with serious injuries to her face a man was arrested and has now been bailed until July 19 pending further enquiries Anyone with information can submit a report at www.essex.police.uk/digital101 or use the online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day About Latest Posts YA Reporter Latest posts by YA Reporter (see all) It happened today – this day in history Tel: 07765530245 Email: sales@yellowad.co.uk Yellow Advertiser68 Crowhill,Godmanchester,Huntingdon,PE29 9NR Tel: 07765530245 Email: mickferris@yellowad.co.uk Cllr Callaghan said: "This region is uniquely positioned to be the jobs growth and productivity capital of the UK but for too long we've punched below our collective weight The economic and housing potential in South Essex is immense with opportunities to create life-long jobs "What must and will come with that is the transformative investment in transport and public services to fully unlock the region's potential and ensure it delivers for all who live or want to start or grow a business here." Cllr Callaghan's election comes as the county looks set to be at the forefront of a debate on local government reorganisation and devolution with all of the current councils in Essex rumoured to be abolished and replaced by new unitary councils which will deliver all the services from social care to waste and recycling for an area Cllr Callaghan said: "This is an exciting time for South Essex we have alignment between the ambitions of local councils and the priorities of central government to invest in our region Moments like this are rare and we must seize the opportunity to deliver real change for our residents and businesses "My number one priority in this role is to work with government on getting the money invested into South Essex that we need and I look forward to working with the north of Essex on creating a combined authority that can deliver this transformative change." Thurrock and Essex County have formed South Essex Councils (SEC) Through SEC they are working to deliver improved prosperity and wellbeing in the region by: Each partner council contributes resources to the SEC programmes and together they work to win new investment for the region from central government The partnership began in June 2016 and signed a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2018 In October 2021 the seven councils agreed to form a Joint Committee Contact Basildon Council's Press Office at pressoffice@basildon.gov.uk for further information including CPR and equip yourself to save a life Explore our guides and be prepared to make a difference when it matters most Whether you're looking to raise money from a hobby a community-led initiative or an exhilarating bucket list challenge inspire others and make a meaningful difference to your local life-saving charity Play the Flight For Life Lottery for as little as £5 per month With 57 cash prizes and a £1,000 top prize every week enter our Superdraw for an opportunity to win up to £25,000 Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) is excited to announce the opening of its newest charity shop in Basildon officially launched on 7th March by EHAAT Pre-Hospital Care Doctor was proud to return to his hometown for the occasion: “It’s an honour to open the new shop in Basildon Wickhay and even played rugby for Basildon It’s incredibly rewarding to now be part of the EHAAT team providing critical care to the very community that shaped me the real heroes today are the volunteers who will keep this shop running Their dedication will help raise essential funds to keep our helicopters flying and saving lives.” Dan joined EHAAT’s Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) crew in August 2024 as part of his specialist training in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine His journey in medicine started in Basildon where he worked as a junior doctor at Basildon Hospital a location EHAAT frequently flies patients to Basildon is a bustling town with a population of 185,000 making it an ideal location for a charity shop The Basildon shop introduces a clearance concept offering clothing at affordable prices (£3 per item or four for £10) alongside small furniture and electrical goods—a unique addition to EHAAT’s retail offering Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s Basildon Charity Shop Join the community and recieve all the latest news and updates straight to your inbox Join the community and receive all the latest news and updates straight to your inbox.