News in Basildon

THE death has been confirmed of celebrity, nightclub owner, property developer and businessman Mick Norcross.

Police and emergency services have been at his Bulphan home near Basildon. Essex Police said in a statement: "We were called to an address in Brentwood Road, Bulphan shortly before 3.15pm on Thursday 21 January.

BASILDON Council's Pride teams have been praised for the their hard work in making a differenceby tidying and cleaning throughout the borough last year.

The teams, which specialise in a variety of horticultural and cleansing duties, carried out 85 area clean ups, clearing more than 45 tonnes of waste and recycling in 2020.

A MISSING girl may be somewhere in the Basildon area as police appeal for knowledge of her whereabouts and express concern for her safety.

Officers are appealing for information to help find 15 year-old Danielle King who is missing from the Braintree area.

BASILDON Council is to step in and take additional action in a bid to reduce levels of abandoned shopping trolleys in the borough.

At a meeting of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee last night (Wednesday, 20 January), councillors agreed for a letter signed by the Chairman and the council's Chief Executive to be sent to supermarkets for them to take more action in retrieving abandoned trolleys.

A BASILDON resident has been found guilty of fly-tipping after dumping multiple items including a fridge freezer and seven bags of soil on council land in front of their property.

Georgina Buckley, 26, of Eastbrooks Place, appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court on 15 January and pleaded guilty to a charge of dumping controlled waste under s33 of the Environmental Protection Act.

ALMOST 200 student nurses have been welcomed at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, ahead of many of them beginning their work placements in Basildon in March.

It's one of the largest ever number of student nurses from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) to be starting at the Trust. Students will be based at Basildon & Thurrock Hospital, Southend Hospital, Broomfield Hospital and within the community.

TRIBUTES have been paid today to a charismatic and popular showbiz figure in South Essex who has passed away after contracting Covid-19.

Comedy entertainer Johnny Clark became well known to thousands of people during his years as the MC and host at Canvey Island's Kings Club.

BASILDON'S top councillor has called on residents across the district to seize the opportunity to get tested for Covid-19.

Council leader Gavin Callaghan says that, with or without symptoms, people should get tested to help ease the strain on the NHS - and in particular local hospitals.

A VIRTUAL launch meeting next week will mark the creation of a new organisation that aims to help improve the lives of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities who live, work and visit Basildon.

Basildon Side by Side is a social movement that also aims to bridge gaps that currently exists in local communities.

BASILDON Council has announced that it will not be asking for any increase in the share it takes from local people's council tax.

Despite the financial implications that Covid-19 has had on the authority council leader Cllr Gavin Callaghan says its precept will be frozen for the second consecutive year.