CONSERVATIVES DEFEAT 'MINI PRISON'
The bail hostel was defeated by the Conservatives. The combined effort of Luke Mackenzie, Councillor Tony Ball and John Baron MP. Luke Mackenzie organized residential opposition, by starting a petition, and communicating with residents. Cllr Tony Ball in his position as deputy leader of the Council, made it clear that the council objected to all the proposed properties in the district, and that planning permission would be needed, while John Baron MP held the Government to account in Parliament. Due to these combined pressures the Company who are tasked to find these properties on behalf of the Labour Government was forced to pull out.
Revamping Vange project launched
A THREE-YEAR project has been launched in Vange to improve the health and well being of people in the area.
Questionnaires asking residents what it is like to live in Vange were sent out to every home in the area at the beginning of this week.
Called ‘Revamp Vange’ the project aims to bring better local services to what is one of the district’s more deprived areas in terms of income, employment, health, education and crime.
Typical services being planned in the new scheme include health MOT sessions, debt advice, health drop-in sessions for young people, positive parenting, and promoting involvement in the community.
Andrew Baggott, cabinet member for communities, explained the project was simply tailoring better services to meet the needs of local people.
He said: “The best way for everyone to get involved and make their voices heard is to complete our survey and tell us about their experiences and what they think of life in Vange.
“This is an imaginative initiative employing some of the the best experts in their fields. Most important of all, the local people themselves are being placed centre stage.
“We want them to tell us what they think, what they need and want done, what should be preserved and protected and what should be changed and improved.”
The improvements will be brought to Vange by bringing together a partnership of agencies including Basildon Council includes NHS South West Essex, Essex Police, Essex Fire & Rescue Service and many others all under the banner of the Local Strategic Partnership.
Everyone who lives or works in Vange will also have a chance to take part in a number of groups and forums the project will be setting up in the coming months.
Ward counillor Luke McKenzie has welcomed the project.
He said: “I hope the partnership make this sustainable. Anything they do should have a long term view as they are only there for three years.”
Residents are being asked to watch out for the publicity campaign giving details of events and opportunities to enable them to join in the project.
Source: http://www.yellowad.co.uk/tn/news.cfm?id=10164
Bus Link to the Festival Leisure Park
Cllr Luke Mackenzie calls for a bus link to the festival leisure park have been answered. Work has started on a new road which will allow taxis and buses to have easy access to the complex through Gyllgrove. This will benefit all users of the Park and dramatically improve safety. Young people will now have direct access by bus, instead of the current system where they have to walk from Pipps Hill or the town centre; this will provide young people with the independence to use the facilities at the park, while providing parents with piece of mind that their Children get there and back more safely. The link will also allow taxis to pass through meaning shorter journeys and cheaper fares for some people, and this will encourage more people to use a taxi and not walk, meaning a safer trip.
| Issues | How Your Local Conservatives Voted | How Your Local Labour Party Voted |
Basildon Council Motion Calling on Gordon Brown to hold the referendum on the EU reform Treaty | For a referendum | Against a referendum |
| For Basildon to provide 81 new traveller pitches | Against 81 new traveller sites | For 81 new traveller sites |
| Local council housing for local people, not asylum seekers | For local housing for local people | Against local housing for local people |