News in Basildon

CAMPAIGNERS have been celebrating this evening after plans to sell off open space in Wickford were thrown out.

Tonight's meeting (Thursday, 15 July) of Basildon Council's policy executive committee reversed a previous decision to sell Wick Green, land close to Gibraltar Walk, to developers who wanted to build a care home on it.

CAMPAIGNERS in Wickford arev waiting nervously for a meeting tonight which should decide the fate of an open space in the town.

Wickford SOS (Save Open Space) was formed by residents objecting to the sale of Wick Green. The campaign group launched with the full endorsement of Wickford independents during their 2019 election campaign.

BASILDON Council has announced it has successfully prosecuted a number of residents for littering in July.

After fixed penalty notices for the initial offences had been ignored or disputed, the council has been successful in gaining 14 prosecutions so far this month.

ACCIDENT and emergency departments in mid and south Essex, which include Basildon & Thurrock Hospital's service, saw record numbers of people last month – as NHS leaders warn that the health service is experiencing "winter in summer".

A huge spike in demand for non-Covid related urgent healthcare – combined with another surge in Covid cases – has led to unprecedented demand, according to the NHS Confederation.

A GRIEVING Basildon man has highlighted the theft of flowers from the graves of his wife and daughter in the hope that awareness of such callous crimes may prick the conscience of other would-be thieves.

The experience of discovering the theft at the cemetery in Bowers Gifford where his loved ones lay side-by-side shocked 69-year-old Thomas Latchford to the core.

FOR the second year running one of South Essex's major fundraising events is going to be held virtually.

Basildon and Billericay MP John Baron is the man behind the annual Fun walk which has raised more than a million pounds for good causes since its inception in 2002 to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

IN a bid to help combat crime in Basildon, residents are to be provided with a a range of items to help protect themselves and their property.

The Safer Basildon Partnership, the borough's community safety partnership which includes Basildon Council, Essex Fire and Rescue and Essex Police, has provided a range of crime prevention materials to be distributed across the borough via foodbanks and through local residents.

AN Essex police officer has been dismissed for breaching a number of standards of professional behaviour which amounted to gross misconduct.

A hearing into the conduct of the officer, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was told the officer had made discriminatory comments during conversations with colleagues in October 2019.

A MAN has died following a crash on the A130 to the north of Wickford last night (Monday, 12 July).

It happened at the A130 Rettendon Turnpike just before 10.30pm.

A FURTHER consultation has now been launched to seek views on proposals for separate food and garden waste collections.

Basildon Council is seeking the views of residents following a successful trial of separate collections which concluded at the start of the year. Of those who took part 88% said they would be happy for it to be introduced.