WEEKLY black bin collections would be re-instated and multiple rubbish sacks for recycling scrapped if Labour win control of Basildon Council at the elections.

The Labour Party revealed its manifesto in mid-April with just weeks until voters go to the polls on May 2, with a huge focus on rubbish collections, alongside fixing potholes and “keeping council tax low”.

A new waste scheme was introduced by the Conservative administration in December which saw sacks replaced with wheelie bins and fortnightly collections introduced.

Maryam Yaqub, leader of the Basildon Labour Group, said: “Basildon deserves to be a beacon of pride for its residents.

“A borough where the streets are clean, bins are collected weekly, residents feel safe in their homes, our town centres are thriving, and our roads don’t resemble a minefield.

“We are committed to this vision. We will bring back weekly bin collections and clean up our estates.

“We will fight for our potholes to be fixed. We will keep council tax low. We will tackle crime on our streets and expand housing with the necessary infrastructure.

“It is a moment to choose change, a moment to choose progress.”

The Basildon Labour Party also opposes plans in Pitsea for the “largest incinerator” in Essex and promise to deliver the long-delayed Laindon Shopping Centre regeneration.

Labour has also insisted it will launch a task force with Essex Police to crack down on the number of vehicle thefts.

They say will across the borough which should increase prosecutions and help to bring down car insurance costs.

Peter Bunyan, who is standing to be Labour’s councillor in Wickford Park ward, said: “We have seen a huge rise in the number of cars being stolen in Wickford in recent times. Victims are told there is nothing that can be done. Labour doesn’t accept that. If we form the next administration, we will be calling on Essex Police to work with us on the creation of a joint taskforce to increase the number of criminals they are catching and prosecuting.”

The Echo will be publishing manifestos or election commitments for all political parties in the run-up to the May 2 election.