Basildon parties make their election promises

The controversial Local Plan is top of most the manifestos, as well as fighting the county council’s proposed waste incinerator for Pitsea. Here’s what each of the parties say they say they will do for you.

WASTE, high-rises and green spaces top the Conservative manifesto. The Tories say that, if they retain power after the election, they will continue to “vigorously” oppose the proposed Pitsea Incinerator. The group are also urging residents to sign their petition over the controversial plans by Essex County Council.

Another priority will be their continued opposition to high-rise developments across the borough, with the party also promising to protect green spaces. The Conservatives are currently the largest group on the council, with 25 out of 42 councillors before the election. The party have also promised to cut what they have branded “outrageous” waste at The Basildon Centre, with group leader Andrew Baggott citing the £150,000 in taxpayers’ money spent by a former Labour leader on a new office.

Conservatives have also promised to continue to “invest in the priorities of the residents in consultation with them”, and say they will do all they can to help residents address the cost of living crisis.

THE Independent Group pledges to work on council tax, the incinerator and more. Kerry Smith, leader of the group said: “We will protect areas such as Dry Street and Dunton from housing allocated here to protect both Billericay and Billericay councillors’ seats. 

“We will oppose County Hall’s plan to build a double incinerator in Basildon to burn the County’s rubbish. Independents don’t want this built in Basildon spewing out toxic emissions into the air we all breathe. “Keep council tax bills frozen, taxpayers need a break during this cost of living crisis. and axe Conservative plans to introduce fortnightly bin collection in Basildon.

“We will reallocate the £350,000 for the replacement skate in Billericay to build the new Pavilion with new toilets at the Recreational Grounds of New Avenue. Independents’ will vote to defend local democracy and transparency by fighting to stop the re-introduction of the corrupt Cabinet system for making Council decisions.”

LABOUR have put youth services and community safety at the top of their manifesto for next month’s election. Group leader Jack Ferguson (pictured) told the Echo he wanted more CCTV across the borough, as well as more park wardens, and for the e-scooter trial to be scrapped. And he has pledged to tackle waste with new measures to combat flytipping, by re-introducing the ‘crunch service’ to collect large waste items, and to keep weekly bin collections. He added: “Labour will Invest in our play spaces and parks to make them places for all the community to enjoy.

“And we will invest in youth services whilst introducing free swimming sessions for children during school holidays and prioritising pensioner clubs.” Mr Ferguson also said that a Basildon-controlled authority would challenge Essex County Council to provide more money to invest in roads, pavements and potholes.

WICKFORD Independents have said that, whatever the outcome of next month’s election, the group will not join any coalitions. Group leader David Harrison emphasised the independent nature of the group, and its local focus, telling the Echo: “We will continue doing what we have been doing - fighting for Wickford to ensure that our town gets a fair deal from the main political parties. We will fight for lower council tax.

“We will fight against any plans to dump Wickford with development to save Billericay from any development now that the Local Plan has been withdrawn. And we will work with the new Wickford Town Council.” The group will also campaign for an increased police presence in Wickford. And Mr Harrison said that council procedures were key too, adding: We will oppose any attempt to go back to a cabinet system, where previously it was almost entirely made up of Billericay councillors - colloquially named the Billericay Mafia! “The committee system over the last five years has enabled all councillors to be democratically involved in the decision-making.

BASILDON’S Lib Dems say they want to prioritise investment in local bus services and cycling facilities across the town.

The party claim that this will help tackle both congestion and improve the environment, while they have also called for better lighting in public areas - particularly in parks such as Lake Meadows. Their election call is for a new Local Plan that “works for local people”. The party claim that this is different from the Conservative decision to scrap the Local Plan, as they want to prioritise infrastructure over new homes.

Lib Dems also point to their recent campaigns for investment in playgrounds and equipment such as skate parks, and for provision to be spread more equally across the borough. They add: “The Liberal Democrats are fighting across Basildon Borough to put people first and ensure residents have a strong voice in the council chamber. Residents say they are tired of being taken for granted.”