05-05-2025
'Change is happening': Basildon Council leader celebrates one year in office
'MAJOR change is happening' – that is the message from the leader of Basildon Council as his administration celebrates one year in office.
Gavin Callaghan took over the leadership at the start of last May and has been pursuing an 'ambitious agenda' including the return of weekly bin collections, an increase in council homes and the purchase of the Westgate shopping centre.
Despite Mr Callaghan's claims of widespread success, the leader of Basildon's Conservative council group has said it's only a matter of time before difficult decisions will have to be made.
'Belief has returned to Basildon,' said Mr Callaghan.
Proud - Gavin Callaghan has hailed a year of successful achievements (Image: Basildon Council) 'You can see it and you can feel it. Over the past year, we've focused on what matters most to local people – and the results are clear.'
'One year on, I'm proud to say change is happening – and it's for the better,' added Mr Callaghan.
'We're fixing the basics while building a better future. Basildon deserves no less.'
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'We're not finished – we're just getting started. Thank you for believing in Basildon. The progress we've made together is only the beginning.'
Improvements - Mr Callaghan recently celebrated the purchase of around 100 new units of temporary accommodation (Image: Basildon Council) Last month, residents saw a return to weekly bin collections and the scrapping of unpopular reusable recycling sacks following an overhaul of the council's waste management system.
Council and temporary accommodation residents have also seen additional investment in their futures with the building of more than 100 new council homes and the securing of £16million for repairs and maintenance.
Upcoming - The Basildon Health Centre is expected to open in the Eastgate later this year (Image: Basildon Council)Other achievements pointed to by Mr Callaghan include the purchase of the Westgate Shopping Centre to allow for the construction of a huge live entertainment arena, the approval of 1,163 new homes and the ongoing creation of new healthcare facilities in Pitsea and Basildon.
However, the leader of Basildon Council's Conservative group, Andy Barnes, has questioned Mr Callaghan's claims of success.
'Whilst the presentation is slick, what residents are really interested in is delivery,' he said.
'The administration isn't being upfront about the costs of things like changing the waste system and building a new arena. Before long, the council's debt position will force them to make the difficult choices they are avoiding now.'
