Leader's blog - 14 February 2025
A Budget for Basildon's Future
We've seen a new administration, new leadership, a new government with a historic mandate, the rise of populism, and confirmation that Basildon Council will be abolished by 2028. One of those would have been challenging. All five in nine months has been extraordinary.
Last night at a meeting of Basildon Council I presented the Council's budget for the year ahead. But it was not just a budget—it was a roadmap for the future of our borough.
The public has demanded change, and we must deliver bold, pragmatic solutions. This budget is built around five priorities: services, regeneration, housing, safety, and business growth.
Restoring Basic Services
One of our first commitments was to fix the waste collection crisis. From 28th April, weekly black bin collections return— in every house, every road, every town. We've reversed a £2.3 million overspend, delivering a better service at a lower cost. We're also expanding the Crunch service and rolling out in-cab technology to tackle fly-tipping and missed collections.
We're protecting our green spaces—unlike the previous administration, we won't cut back maintenance services; we'll cut the grass instead.
Regenerating Our Borough
For too long, Basildon has been stalled by indecision. That ends now.
This May, we'll submit the Phase 1 Westgate Masterplan, transforming the town centre with retail, residential, and hotel space. By December, the next phase will introduce a new arena and office space. A retail strategy for Basildon and Laindon town centres will be published in summer 2025.
In Pitsea, we've secured funding for a long-promised Community Diagnostic Centre, and in Wickford, a new supermarket is in the pipeline. We're ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with growth.
Tackling the Housing Crisis
We need to build homes for Basildon's people—and ensure they can access them. We're extending the Basildon First Charter, requiring developers to market new homes exclusively to local residents for 12 months. We're also launching a First-Time Buyer Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to help young people onto the housing ladder.
For council tenants, we're investing £16 million in repairs and maintenance. If our contractor, Morgan Sindall, has not improved service levels by Christmas 2025, they will be replaced.
We're addressing homelessness head-on, securing £50 million for temporary accommodation and purchasing 274 homes to provide stability for families.
Safer Streets & Stronger Communities
Residents deserve to feel safe. We're bringing back the successful community warden model and investing in new CCTV and safety initiatives.
We are reopening Wickford Police Station as a Community Safety Hub.
We're turning the streetlights back, on reversing the Essex County Council decision to turn them off.
Our Private Landlord Licensing Scheme will generate £1 million annually for safety and enforcement.
Backing Basildon's Businesses
A strong economy is essential for Basildon's future. That's why we're launching the Basildon Construction Academy—to train the next generation of skilled workers in bricklaying, carpentry, and electrical work.
We're investing £420,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund into business growth and job creation, launching the Basildon Business Awards, and securing £1 million from Sport England to support community health initiatives.
Preparing for the Future
The new government moving so quickly on devolution to counties like Essex gives us an opportunity to end the undemocratic and wasteful two-tier system of local government; Basildon people will instead be able to control more for themselves locally. We will be abolished by 2028 and become part of a new South West Essex with more control over our own affairs. We have two years to set a course for what comes next.
We're allocating £1 million to ensure Basildon leads—not lags—during local government reorganisation. We will not be passive observers; we will fight for the best outcomes for our residents.
A Budget That Believes in Basildon
So, it's a simple question: do you believe in Basildon?
I do.
I believe in delivering services that work for residents. I believe in a future where young people can afford to live in their hometown. I believe in safer streets, thriving businesses, and town centres that inspire pride.
This budget delivers. It fixes what's broken, invests in our future, and lays the groundwork for a Basildon that thrives.
The challenges ahead are real. But we are Basildon. We were built for ambition. We were built for resilience. We were built to succeed.
Let's prove it.
Published 14 February 2025