Regeneration fund for town could be slashed

At a policy and resources committee meeting on Thursday, members will discuss whether to go ahead with projects set to be funded by money carried over from the 2016/17 budget or included in this year’s budget.

These include £365,000 for improvements to Billericay High Street, £80,000 for South Green car park and £15,000 to improve Billericay Pool.

So far, only £3,000 has been spent in total between the three regeneration schemes.

Labour’s Gavin Callaghan, chairman of the committee, refused to comment when contacted by the Echo.

Former leader of Basildon Council, Phil Turner, has accused the new administration of “dividing communities.”

The Tories were ousted from power in May after Labour, Ukip and independent councillors teamed up to replace the former cabinet system with a committee system.

There is no council leader - but as chairman of the policy and resources committee, Mr Callaghan has similar powers.

Mr Turner told the Echo that pulling the funding from the swimming pool scheme would “surely see its closure.”

He said: “During the successive Conservative administrations we took care of all parts of the borough - Wickford, Pitsea, Laindon, Basildon and Billericay.

“Instead the new administration want to target and divide our communities in Basildon borough with political spite and vindictiveness, the kind that inspires hatred and the kind we have never seen in Basildon before.

“But supported by UKIP and Wickford independents they target a community - for what purpose?

“Surely it’s only to demonstrate how low, immoral and vindictive the human existence can sink.”

Linda Allport-Hodge, vice-chairman of the committee, did not respond to requests for a comment.

A report to members reads: “The chairman is recommending that the activities cease and that the sums released as a result be made available to meet other priorities.”

The committee meeting will take place tomorrow at the Basildon Centre, in St Martin’s Square.