Social Value Ideas for Basildon Borough Council

Members' pay rise rejected

The council rejected a proposed 3.2% uplift to members' allowances. This means no additional spending on councillor allowances, and the existing scheme remains in place for now.

“Speaker 5: Under the circumstances, I do not think it would be appropriate to accept an increase in councilor allowances whilst also increasing the ov…”

Political assistants funded

The council agreed in principle to create political assistant posts for the three largest political groups, with salaries around half the previous leader's office role. The proposal was deferred to Ov…

“Speaker 5: The three largest political groups on the authority qualify for a political assistant provided the membership makes up at least 10% of the …”

Investigation approved into governance concerns

Council approved a motion to investigate concerns raised about internal workings, declarations, and a disputed debt shown in insolvency paperwork. Speakers repeatedly framed the issue as one of accoun…

“Our business this evening is to consider a motion that has been submitted by five members of the council. It must remind members that the meeting is t…”

Disputed BATAS policy debt

Members discussed insolvency paperwork showing BATAS policy owed £3,600 and questioned changing explanations about whether a working relationship existed and whether services were provided for free. T…

“Supplementary evidence has been provided showing insolvency paperwork listing BATAS policy as being owed £3,600 That document exists and every residen…”

Trading breaches near school

Officers reported repeated complaints that the ice cream van traded outside Lee Chapel School without consent, including parking on zigzag lines and double yellow lines, and remaining too close to the…

“On the 14th of on the March 13, sorry, the licensing department received a complaint regarding an ice cream van trading outside Lee Chapel School, whi…”

Street trading consent refused

The sub-committee decided to refuse a street trading consent application for an ice cream van. The refusal was based on the council's street trading policy, the suitability of the location, health and…

“Decision C, to reject the application. The reason the sub committee has discerned determined to refuse the application for a street trading consent fo…”

Street trading consent policy applied

Basildon Council’s street trading consent scheme and 2024 to 2029 policy were discussed as the controlling framework for ice cream van trading. The policy requires consent for trading on designated st…

“On the 09/29/2025, the the council street trading consent scheme took effect. This scheme has been developed in accordance with the council's newly ad…”

Piccadilly Whip consent decision

The subcommittee was asked to determine Piccadilly Whip’s peripatetic street trading consent application, with options including grant, grant with amendments, limited consent, or refusal. The applicat…

“The recommendation is that the subcommittee considers this report together with oral submissions given at the hearing from the applicant and others ma…”

LGR/BASROC rejected

The council resolved to rescind support for the five-unitary BASROC model and to oppose the South West Essex authority proposal, with support for a county-wide referendum and possible joint legal/poli…

“Speaker 15: Thank you Mr. Mayor. I wish to make an amendment to my motion. I wanna add a point five to the recommendation that the council delegates t…”

Best value response and improvement programme

The council formally acknowledged the government's best value notice and set out a broad improvement programme covering governance, audit, procurement, contract management, financial assurance, and me…

“On the July 15, the government issued Basden Borough Council with a best value notice. This is a serious step, and we must now act for the good of thi…”