http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/newsarchive.php Recent News Stories from Basildon, Billericay and Thurrock Liberal Democrats en-GB Basildon, Billericay and Thurrock Liberal Democrats http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2010 Basildon, Billericay and Thurrock Liberal Democrats 2010-03-11T09:35+00:00 United Kingdom http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000032/geoff_williamss_anger_at.html Geoff Williams wrote the following letter to the Echo newspaper regarding Conservative-controlled Basildon Council's decision to move "The Woodsman": 2010-01-19T15:00+00:00 http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000031/geoff_williams_selected_to_fight_south_basildon_and_east_thurrock.html Local activist and campaigner Geoff Williams has been selected to fight the seat of South Basildon and East Thurrock for the Liberal Democrats at the next General Election. 2010-01-15T22:00+00:00 http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000030/old_man_stan_gets_up_tory_noses.html Basildon's favourite muppet, Old Man Stan, has certainly upset administration members at Basildon Council, with his celebration of 2009 Bazza Christmas and his comments on proposals for Basildon Golf Course. Particularly peeved was the portfolio holder for Leisure and the Arts who has recently been highlighted in the local press for his regret that local people have used democratic procedures to try and overturn development proposals for the golf course. Such arrogance is not uncommon with council administrations whose paternalistic and centralist approach leads them to believe that, of course, they know best what the people want and are happy to completely disregard public opinion. 2010-01-08T10:15+00:00 http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000029/scandal_of_the_grit_bins.html In the coldest winter period for decades Basildon Council has deemed it appropriate to remove locally installed grit bins placed at locations that are particularly vulnerable for pedestrians. Lib Dem councillors were first alerted to this on 22nd December, after the first onset of snow in Basildon and immediately sought explanation from Basildon Council officers. 2010-01-08T10:00+00:00 http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000028/councillor_plans_twitter_protest_to_mark_imprisoned_kamals_birthday.html Local Lib Dem campaigner Cllr Ben Williams is planning a protest on Twitter (the social networking tool) on Saturday to mark the birthday of Kamal Labwani, peaceful campaigner for democratic reform in Syria. 2009-10-08T15:30+01:00 http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000027/lib_dem_vision_for_our_open_spaces.html On the broader green issues front, Basildon Council has succeeded in bringing together a number of parties to consider the future of the so-called "Nethermayne Gateway" - the area encompassing Thurrock and Basildon College, St.Luke's Hospice and Basildon & Thurrock University Hospital. Representatives from Essex County Council, all the above bodies, and the Environment Agency(EA) have met on three occasions to try and establish a vision for the area. While there has been much talk about infrastructure investment and the creation of a science/business park, others, including the EA have concentrated on Green issues. Cllr Geoff Williams, as the only Basildon councillor to attend the forum, highlighted the superb and unique characteristics of the huge expanse of publicly accessible open space, and the rich variety of farm-land between Bulphan Fen in the West and Leigh Marshes in the East. It is our view that this area must be preserved for the enjoyment and sanity of future generations ! 2009-09-15T12:00+01:00 http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000026/council_tax__56_hike_in_6_years.html Between them the Tory councils in Chelmsford (Essex County Council) and Basildon (Basildon District Council) have increased the council tax for local people by 56%. 2009-02-24T12:29+00:00 http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000025/nethermayne_to_be_main_arterial_road.html If the plans for the huge container port on the Thames in Thurrock come to fruition one of the main access roads will be - Nethermayne. Council officials have confirmed that Basildon is being viewed as the main provider of the workforce to service the new development. This alone will immensely increase the volume of traffic through the middle of Lee Chapel South and Kingswood. Then there's the - still unclear - plans for Basildon & Thurrock College, while the new 'Prospects' college has taken over some of the so-called Icon building in Southernhay. The block which was supposed to be an 'iconic' building for Basildon, has also, we understand, sold a number of flats to a local housing association. This may be good news, but in today's economic climate what local people want are local homes at affordable prices. 2008-10-09T10:32+01:00 http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000024/residents_hit_hard_by_rising_prices.html Residents hit hard by rising prices 2008-07-26T13:05+01:00 http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000023/make_it_happen.html Liberal Democrats in Basildon have welcomed the launch of the Liberal Democrats' vision for Britain by Party Leader Nick Clegg MP. Called 'Make it Happen', the paper will be debated at the party's conference in Bournemouth in September. 2008-07-17T12:55+01:00 http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000022/basildons_tory_council__beyond_incompetence.html "A catalogue of mismanagement" is how LibDem group leader Geoff Williams has described Basildon's Conservative council's performance. "Their recent record betrays an incompetence that almost beggars belief". 2008-07-16T10:00+01:00 http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000021/lib_dems_vote_against_tory_plans_for_massive.html Liberal Democrats at Essex County Council have voted against Tory plans to build large waste treatment plants in Essex. The vote was taken after a debate on waste at county hall on 15th July. 2008-07-16T09:33+01:00 http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000020/essex_tories__no_friends_to_open_government.html Lord Hanningfield, Conservative leader of Essex County Council has slammed a proposal by Essex Liberal Democrats to allow the public to speak directly to councillors at council meetings and to ask questions about the work of the council. Lord Hanningfield made his comments at a debate on public participation at a meeting of the full council on 15th July. 2008-07-15T17:11+01:00 http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000014/basildon_golf_course.html The Friends of Basildon Golf Course have won the first round in their battle to prevent 100's of 1000's of tonnes of waste material being dumped to form 'bunds' around a proposed driving range, and later, round the whole course. The High Court have granted a judicial review hearing for November, which means that in the meantime no development can take place. Meanwhile the Friends are working closely with other pressure groups and individuals around the country where similar developments have been proposed. 2008-07-11T17:00+01:00 http://basildonlibdems.org.uk/news/000019/visiting_our_site__interested_in_the_lib_dems.html If you're interested in the Liberal Democrats locally or nationally, then do get in touch with us. Contact Geoff Williams on 01268 415348 or at geoff.williams25@btinternet.com 2008-07-11T16:19+01:00