News in Basildon

A VICTIM of sexual abuse has thanked Essex Police after a Basildon man was convicted of child abuse that took place over a three year period 30 years ago.

Laurence Bourne abused a child on numerous occasions between 1989 and 1992 in Basildon and the offences came to light when they were reported to police in April 2019.

AN new area of public open space is set to become a centre for sustained environmental activity in a plan described as 'brilliant' and a real boost to local people's well-being.

At Basildon Council's Neighbourhood's and Public Spaces Committee next week (Wednesday, 20 January) councillors will be presented with an update on the planned extension to Wickford Memorial Park.

A CALL has gone out to local residents to help play key roles in a major new youth initiative in the Basildon area.

OnSide Youth Zones are designed to give young people aged eight to 19 years old (25 for those with a disability) somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to in their leisure time; occupying their bodies and minds with fun activities, learning new skills and socialising in a safe, positive way.

A TRIP out this evening proved a fatal mistake for a rogue driver in Pitsea.

Officers from Operation Sceptre, which tackles serious violence, particularly knife crime, were out and about and spotted a suspicious vehicle.

THE NHS trust running Basildon & Thurrock Hospital has the second worst Covid death rate in England, figures suggest.

According to the latest figures Mid and South Essex Hospital Trust, which looks after Basildon as well as Chelmford's Broomfields Hospital and Southend Hospital has had 1,313 Covid-related deaths during a total of more than 35,000 Covid bed days.

THE Labour leader of Basildon Council, together with his colleagues at Harlow, Colchester, Southend and Essex County councils has written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock to demand more is done to tackle the surge in Covid cases across the county.

Cllr Gavin Callaghan joinmed his part colleagues to say: "We are writing to draw your attention to the escalating and alarming situation in Essex due to the pandemic. We are committed to using all the resources at our disposal to work with you to tackle this virus to protect local residents.

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

On Wednesday, 20 January at a meeting of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee, councillors will debate whether a letter signed by the Chairman should be sent to supermarkets appealing for them to take more action in retrieving abandoned trolleys.

THE death has been announced of Basildon councillor Imelda Clancy.

Cllr Clancy, former Deputy Leader of the Independent Group, had been a serving councillor since 2014 when she represented Pitsea North-West, and had represented the residents of Langdon Hills since 2018.

TEN Basildon area schools are working with Basildon Council on a community project that explores and celebrates the town's nature and heritage with the aim of leaving a lasting legacy in the town.

The project, a collaboration between the Council, 10 local primary schools, heritage groups and local people, is named 'Radion' after one of the borough's first cinemas, the former Laindon Picture Theatre, and began at the start of the year.

THE Mayor of Basildon's charity appeal trust has launched a festive appeal to help raise funds for those who have missed out on Christmas shifts this year.

With the town Basildon under Tier 4 restrictions, many casual workers across a number of local businesses have been badly affected by closures over the festive period.