BASILDON councillors will this week decide on whether to freeze charges on community centres and hall uses for the next year.

Charges associated with these facilities include community activities, and school clubs and youth groups among others.

This matter will be decided by councillors at this Thursday's (1 July) communities and wellbeing committee.

Chairman of the Committee Cllr Terri Sargent said: "I'll be strongly supporting the proposal to freeze charges over the next year. As local groups and residents return to activity following a very difficult year, we want to encourage everyone back into our facilities and freezing charges is the best option.

"The more varied uses our community centres provide means a wide reach of residents will benefit from a freeze in charges. I am confident the committee will make the right decision."