News in Basildon

JUST a week after the launch of Basildon Nub News, the UK's top media politician has commended the concept of bringing local news back to communities.

Minister for Media and Data John Whittingdale, whose own Maldon constituency is also served by a Nub News site, has praised Nub News for showing there is still a demand for community-focused local journalism.

A PITSEA woman has spoken of her shock after she and her husband became victims of a Basildon Council enforcement officer who has issued them with a fine for feeding chips to seagulls.

The issuing of the penalty notice was captured on video by Sandra Williams after she and her husband visited the Pipps Hill Retail Park.

THE future prospects for hundreds of employees at the Debenhams store in Basildon look bleak after it was announced today that the company's brand has been bought - but not its shops.

Fashion retailer Boohoo has bought the Debenhams name and website for £55m.

THE likelihood of council elections being held in May, when voters would also be asked to elect a police, fire and crime commissioner, continues to diminish.

Despite a call for a full postal vote to be held rather than have polling booths it seems more likely elections will be delayed until October.

TRIBUTE has been paid to RAF veteran Eddy Coull, 86, who is widely known across Basildon and south Essex for his work every year for the annual Wings appeal, following his death last night.

Mr Coull, from Basildon, was a stalwart of the RAF Association.

DESPITE forecast earlier today (Saturday, 23 January) weather experts in Essex says the region might have a 'light dusting' at worst tomorrow but Basildon is unlikely to have any problems with snow.

This evening's run Met Office data shows a band of light snow north of the M4 tomorrow afternoon that could affect central and western parts of Essex.

THE efforts of firefighters and staff across Essex Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) to combat the impact of coronavirus have been praised following an inspection.

The service was visited by members of the Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in October 2020 as part of an inspection into how fire and rescue services were responding to Covid-19, as they continued to face challenges during a difficult period.

DISCUSSIONS will continue on Tuesday (26 January) about the transfer of ownership of Basildon's Town Centre Management company.

A meeting on the Town Centres Revival Committee of Basildon Council will hear a report from assistant director Tomasz Kozlowski about the negotiations between the Council and London-based BTCM Ltd.

WICKFORD High Street is to be closed on Saturdays for a six month trial period.

At Basildon Council's recent Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee councillors voted in favour of plans to try out the initiative.

SOUTH Basildon MP Stephen Metcalfe has welcomed the acceleration of the coronavirus vaccine rollout in the Mid and South Essex region.

80,211 vaccinations have been administered, as part of plans to vaccinate the top four priority groups by mid-February. In the East of England, 377,552 people have received a vaccine, with 429,864 doses administered in total across the area.