Basildon Council Allocates £16 Million for Urgent Housing Repairs
Basildon Council plans to invest £16 million in housing repairs to address long-standing issues affecting residents’ homes
Basildon, Housing Repairs, Gavin Callaghan, Council Budget, Storm Darragh
Basildon: The Labour leader of Basildon Council, Gavin Callaghan, is stepping up to fix the problems with council homes. He’s determined to make life better for residents living in less-than-ideal conditions.
From leaky roofs to mouldy walls, the council is gearing up for a big year of repairs. They’re looking to tackle these long-standing issues head-on and provide real solutions.
Mr. Callaghan recently announced the new funding just before the council’s draft budget is released. This budget will also include a 3% rise in council tax, but there are some perks for residents too.
Along with the housing repairs, they’re bringing back weekly black bin collections in April. Plus, there are plans for a new arena at Westgate Retail Park and a focus on community safety.
“We’re not happy with how repairs are being handled,” Mr. Callaghan said. He believes the current budget isn’t enough to catch up on all the needed repairs.
That’s why he’s pushing for an extra £16 million this year. It’s all about making sure homes are safe and livable.
He pointed out that this extra funding will help fix repairs that have been delayed or only partially done. He’s not a fan of the current “piecemeal” approach.
Residents at Brooke House have been waiting for repairs for a long time. Mr. Callaghan is prioritizing those whose roofs were damaged by Storm Darragh, promising they’ll get fixed this year.
He noted that many of the housing issues stem from the town’s development back in the late 1940s and 50s. “Our housing stock is 76 years old, and it’s all aging at the same time,” he explained.
He’s adamant that they can’t keep doing repairs in bits and pieces. They need to go in and make the fundamental fixes that are necessary.
Mr. Callaghan is also working on a financial model to speed up housing redevelopments. He wants to create a fund that eases the financial burden on taxpayers.
The final budget for 2025/26 will be wrapped up on February 13, so there’s a lot to look forward to!