Latest news with #AidanMcGurran
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Switching Basildon night lights back on set to cost £480k
Switching street lights back on all night could cost a town £480,000 over four years, a council has Council is expected to give the green light to spend the money at a meeting on February 2014, Essex County Council switched street lighting off across the county between the hours of midnight and 05:00. The times were later revised to 01:00 to 05: councillor Aidan McGurran said he would be "delighted" if it happened but the final decision lay with the county council. Basildon Council turned the lights back on in 2019 for a four-year period - but that ended in 2023. It was hoped they would return by the autumn. Mr McGurran said: "I feel very pleased this is happening, I'm delighted, we would have liked to have done it earlier, when we got back into administration a year ago, but our finances didn't allow it."Residents bring it up all the time, it's the biggest issue after bins, as people just don't feel safe."Council papers stated the year cost for the lights would be about £120,000, with a risk that sum could rise due to increasing energy costs, but as LED lights were upgraded in 2020/21, they could cost less to run, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS)."Reinstating night-time lighting could help to improve the look and feel of the borough and reduce the perception of crime," the council said. It hoped the outcome would mean that "residents feel safe and secure in their homes, towns and open spaces". "Reinstating night time lighting will contribute towards this objective," it added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Basildon e-scooters are removed from town after trial
E-scooters have been removed from a town after councillors said they caused significant safety green transport method had been trialled in Basildon, Essex, since Basildon Council voted to abandon the scheme in January after one Labour member told colleagues the riders were "causing carnage". Dott, which ran the trial, said its team collected the two-wheeled vehicles earlier this week, as first reported in the Basildon Echo. "We remain committed to collaborating with local authorities to promote safe and sustainable transport solutions in the future," a spokesman trials were initially meant to run until October 2021, but have been extended on an annual Basildon Council's decision, the trials are continuing in Chelmsford, Colchester and Braintree. 'Reckless riding' Aidan McGurran, a Labour councillor in Basildon, said it was "with some reluctance" that the authority cancelled the scheme."While e-scooters may offer a green transport alternative, our experience has raised significant safety concerns," he added."Residents and businesses have reported issues with reckless riding, especially in town centre areas, and the abandonment of scooters on pavements has created hazards."In December, Essex County Council said the district and borough authorities could opt out of the trials if they wished. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- BBC News
Basildon Council investigating after 37 dead dogs discovered
A council is investigating after 37 dead dogs were found at a property believed to be a rescue remains were found during a police raid at a property in the Crays Hill area of Billericay, Essex, on Rahman, 25, of Hope Road, Crays Hill, was charged with three counts of fraud by false representation and two animal cruelty Council said an internal inquiry would investigate the circumstances surrounding the property and determine what the council knew of the situation. The scope of the council inquiry would include, but was not limited to, any communications or complaints it received regarding the McGurran, the Labour cabinet member for environment and leisure, said the council was "committed to understanding all aspects of this deeply troubling incident"."I would also like to make it clear that neither the leader Gavin Callaghan, or myself, received any emails on this matter," he added."Obviously, checks will be made to see if any other councillors were contacted by concerned members of the public."We've seen comments from residents on social media suggesting they had raised concerns with the council previously. "We are reviewing all complaints received in the past two years to determine if any information was overlooked."McCurran added that the council would be conducting a comprehensive review of all kennels, animal rescue organisations, home boarders and dog breeders in the borough. 'Extensive investigation' Mr Rahman appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court on Thursday and is next due to appear at Basildon Crown Court on 9 June. Essex Police said the fraud offences related to the "transfer of ownership of dogs".As well as this, Mr Rahman was also charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing in the duty to ensure an animal's welfare.A second man arrested in the investigation was released on bail until July, Essex Police have been trying to locate the dogs' last-known owners, as well as 20 dogs that were found alive at the Steve Parry said it had been an "extremely extensive investigation" and urged people not to speculate on the case. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- BBC News
Bodies of 37 dogs found during raid in Billericay, Essex
The bodies of 37 dogs have been found during a raid at a attending the Crays Hill area of Billericay also seized 20 dogs on Tuesday that were alive, after concerns were raised by men were arrested on suspicion of fraud and failing to prevent unnecessary suffering to animals, Essex Police said."This is likely to be a complex and potentially far-reaching investigation," Insp Steve Parry added. Officers remained at the property on Wednesday as joint inquiries with the RSPCA and Basildon Borough Council were carried two men have been in custody since their arrests. 'Distressing find' "At this stage, we believe we have found the remains of 37 dogs and about 20 alive dogs which are now being cared for," Insp Parry said."The priority for all our partners is to locate their last-known owners."Mr Parry urged people to refrain from speculating online about the was described by Labour councillor Aidan McGurran as a "distressing" find."We are currently working very closely with the police and the RSPCA, and as soon as we have more information we will share any further updates," he added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Shock and devastation in south Essex street where remains of 37 dogs discovered
SHOCKED residents have described the moment police descended on a quiet Billericay street to discover the remains of 37 deceased dogs. Essex Police, the RSPCA and Basildon Council carried out the raid on a Hope Road, Crays Hill, property yesterday – in addition to the remains, 20 dogs were also found alive. Residents living around the property say they had long had suspicions due to 'the horrendous smell and all the flies'. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. 'There were about 20 people outside waiting to see if there dog was in there, as well as forensics, CID, RSPCA,' said one resident who lived next door to the property. "We've only been here nine weeks and the first thing we noticed when we moved in was the horrendous smell and all the flies. 'There's a hell of a lot of kennels out there but what goes on in them, I don't know.' Two men have been arrested on suspicion of fraud and failing to prevent unnecessary suffering to animals – they both remain in custody. Many of the Hope Road residents described feeling shaken and shocked at the news of the horrifying discovery. Presence - Police remain outside the Hope Road property (Image: George Pizani) One said: 'Can you imagine if it was your dog, they gave it to them in good faith and I can't imagine what it was like for the people who were waiting outside yesterday.' They added: 'Considering the amount of dogs they had in there, I can't believe we didn't hear more of them.' The Hope Road residents asked to remain anonymous out of fear of possible criminal repercussion. Essex Police worked alongside the RSPCA and Basildon Council to carry out their investigation and raid. Aidan McGurran, Labour councillor for Environment & Leisure, said: 'I am aware of the distressing reports following a joint action between the Police, RSPCA and Basildon Council officers. This an ongoing police investigation and I would urge residents to refrain from speculating. 'We are currently working very closely with the Police and the RSPCA and as soon as we have more information we will share any further updates with you.'
