MARCH 2000

PERIODIC ELECTORAL REVIEW OF ESSEX 1999/2000

The Local Government Commission for England (LGC), an independent body set up by Parliament, is required to review local authority areas every ten to fifteen years and make recommendations to the Government regarding changes to the structure, boundaries and electoral arrangements of Local Government. The object of the review is to ensure equality of representation and that every Councillor within a district represents roughly the same number of electors. Basildon District Council has carried out a review of the polling wards within the district and its recommendations are shown overleaf. Following consultations with the Parish Councils and other interested parties the recommendations, amended in accordance with the results of the consultations, will be submitted to the LGC by 28 February 2000 who, after consideration, will issue its draft proposals for consultation and comment. It is anticipated that the results of the review will be implemented in May 2002.

The creation of the Crouch Ward will increase the representation from north of the A127 (Billericay, Wickford, Crouch) to 18 Councillors compared to 24 Councillors from south of the A127 consequently the chances of affecting the voting pattern are not that much enhanced. In general the recommendations will have little effect on the Parish Councils however the number of Councillors on the Town Council will be reduced from 21 to 20 although its boundaries will remain the same.

Elections for the Town and Parish Councils will take place on 4 May 2000 and no doubt some of the existing Councillors will not be seeking re-election. It is of paramount importance for each Council to have sufficient nominations to ensure that after the elections it has a full complement of Councillors. It is also important that if the Councils are to be taken seriously and affect the future of Billericay, residents take the trouble to exercise their democratic rights and vote in the elections.The strength of the Councils to tackle projects and achieve acceptable results is directly proportional to the support they are perceived to have from the electorate and a low turn out does nothing to enhance this perception.

In the last elections the turn out was 16%/17% not what you might call a significant percentage but it could be argued it was typical of the lack of interest in local government, on the other hand it could be ignorance of the duties and responsibilities of Parish Councils. There is insufficient space in this newsletter to detail matters in which the Councils can lawfully involve themselves but suffice it to say that they are of a qualitative nature. On other matters such as planning applications they are consulted and can give their opinion but not determine the outcome and in this they are no different to the Area Committees set up by Basildon District Council. However since they have no political affiliations their deliberations are not influenced by party ideology or political dogma having only the interests of Billericay and its residents in mind, although one could be forgiven for thinking that this was not so when reading in the local press the defamatory comments of some people who should have, and indeed profess to have, the same interests.

If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor then visit the Town Council offices in Crown Yard, behind the Coach and Horses, on Saturday 11 March 2000 between 10.00am and 3.00pm when Councillors from all the Parish Councils will be available to answer questions on the work of a Councillor.

BILLERICAY ARTS ASSOCIATION, THE FOLD, 72 LAINDON ROAD, CM12 9LD. TEL.- 659286

SATURDAY 11 MARCH at 7.30pm. THE SACRED and the PROFANE. A recital by JANET MILLER, MEZZOSOPRANO accompanied by CHRISTOPHER ROBERTS. A comparison of the works of Brahms and Dvorak. Tickets £5.00 (members £4.00).

FRIDAY 17 MARCH at 7.30pm. PAINTINGS of CHARDIN 1699-1779. A lecture by VIVIEN HEFFERMAN on Chardin, one of the greatest 18th century painters, based on the current exhibition of his work at The Royal Academy. His works, mainly still life and interiors, influenced those who came later, particularly Picasso and Matisse. Tickets £5.00 (members £4.00).

SATURDAY 18 MARCH at 11.00am. SPRING CRAFT MARKET. Why not drop in and pick up an annual gift for Easter or Mother's Day? Lots to see and all are welcome.

SATURDAY 25 MARCH at 7.30pm. JANE EYRE. A new musical presentation by IMAGE THEATRE. Charlotte Bronte's passionate account has been translated into excellent musical theatre by this much acclaimed company. Tickets £7.00 ( members £6.00).

FRIDAY/SATURDAY 31MARCH/1APRIL - 10.00am to 5.00pm. ART EXHIBITION at The Fold by BUTTSBURY ART SOCIETY. Watercolours, oils and pastel paintings by talented local artists. All welcome. Admission free.

FORTHCOMING EVENT

SATURDAY 8 APRIL - PUTTING ON THE RITZ. Tony Jacobs from the Syd Lawrence Orchestra with Jim Barry of the BBC Radio Orchestra return with songs from the golden age of popular music.

SUNDAY 9 APRIL from 10.00am to 1.00pm CAR BOOT SALE at BRIGHTSIDE SCHOOL.
Sellers - £5.00 per car. For further details contact Denise Watkins on 01277 631164

BILLERICAY RECORDED MUSIC SOCIETY - meet once a month at THE FOLD, 72 LAINDON ROAD, BILLERICAY. (Billericay Arts Association HQ). New members are always welcome. All programmes commence at 8.00pm. Details of the next two programmes are as follows:

FRIDAY - MARCH 10 - FOLLOW THAT FUGUE

FRIDAY - APRIL 14 - Mendelssohn, Piano Trio No 2. Bach. Mass in B minor.

For further details contact Sandra or John Neil on 01268 710464

"LEND US YOUR EARS"

THE BASILDON & THURROCK BRANCH (also covers Billericay area) of The Samaritans need more volunteers to listen sensitively to people in crisis and/or help raise funds. To find out more please ring 01268 412000

NORSEY WOOD SOCIETY

MONDAY MARCH 27 at 7.45pm in the Day Centre, Chantry Way. Illustrated talk by a representative from The Woodland Trust. For further information please ring 01277 653852. All are welcome.

BASILDON and DISTRICT NATIONAL CHILDBIRTH TRUST.

SATURDAY 18 MARCH from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at St JOHNS CHURCH, FORESTGLADE, LANGDON HILLS.

NEARLY NEW SALE (Table Top/Rail Sale) of BABY and CHILDREN'S WEAR, TOYS, BOOKS, NURSERY EQUIPMENT and MATERNITY WEAR. For further details ring Amanda on 01277 630481.

ROAD REP REQUIRED.

This Association cannot be accused of neglecting the interests of its members. Last month we gave you the opportunity to deliver the newsletter to houses in Coach Mews and Doublet Mews, this month we offer you an unrivalled opportunity to deliver it to 57 houses in Hollyford. This, you will no doubt appreciate, is not for the faint hearted it is for those residents of Billericay who enjoy a challenge and who relish the thought of overcoming obstacles. If you think you qualify please contact Jo Evans on Billericay 659823.

SOUTH GREEN MEMORIAL HALL, SOUTHEND ROAD, SOUTH GREEN, BILLERICAY

SATURDAY 11 MARCH from 10.00am to 12.00noon at SOUTH GREEN MEMORIAL HALL - JUMBLE SALE. Tables cost £5.00 and can be booked by ringing 01277 653369. Admission 20p. Refreshments available. Proceeds for Grenfell Preschool.

SATURDAY 25 MARCH from 7.30pm to 11.00pm at SOUTH GREEN MEMORIAL HALL. QUIZ NIGHT. Tickets cost £3.50 include supper and must be pre-booked - ring 01277 653369. Teams of six. Bring your own drinks. Proceeds for Hall Funds.

SUNDAY 9 APRIL from 10.00am to 12.00noon. PRESCHOOL OPEN DAY at SOUTH GREEN MEMORIAL HALL. Admission free. Everyone welcome. Refreshments on sale. Come and find out about learning through play at Grenfell Preschool. Excellent Ofsted and Social Services Inspections. 40 years experience. For more information ring 01277 653359.

COACH TRIPS - TO BOOK PLEASE RING BILLERICAY 626287 - PAYMENT METHOD - by cheque made payable to BDRA and sent to D Osborn, 22 Raven Lane, Billericay CM12 0JA. NO COACH BOOKINGS WILL BE TAKEN BY ANSWERPHONE. DEPARTURE POINTS FOR ALL TRIPS: - GG - Gooseberry Green, bus stop on roundabout. OA - Orchard Avenue, approaching Stock Road. LR - Laindon Road, bus stop near Sun Corner. SG - South Green, bus stop to Wickford, opposite The Plough.

Do not forget that a new booking system has been introduced such that no bookings will be taken for any trip until that trip has been advertised in this newsletter after that seats will be reserved on a first come first served basis. Additionally there will be no standby lists for any trip except that which will provide for a replacement in the event of late cancellations.

WEDNESDAY 22 MARCH & SATURDAY 25 MARCH - IDEAL HOME EXHIBITION, EARLS COURT.

WEDNESDAY - FULL but still some tickets for SATURDAY 25th. Inclusive cost - Adults - £15.00, SC & Children - £10.00. PLEASE PAY NOW.
Depart GG 9.00am, OA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 7.00pm.

SATURDAY 6 MAY - LIVING CRAFTS EXHIBITION - HATFIELD HOUSE, HERTFORDSHIRE
(26TH YEAR OF EUROPE'S LARGEST & MOST PRESTIGIOUS CRAFTS EVENT)
Inclusive cost - Adults & S.C - £11.00, children under 15 - £8.00.
Depart GG 8.00am, OA 8.05am, LR 8.10am, SG 8.15am. Back in Billericay about 7.00pm.

SATURDAY 27 MAY - MILDENHALL AIR FETE 2000 - BURY ST EDMUNDS, SUFFOLK
(THE LARGEST USAF MILITARY AIR DISPLAY STAGED IN EUROPE)
Inclusive cost - Adults -£10.00, SC & children - £8.50.
Depart GG 8.00am, LR 8.05am, SG 8.10am, and finally OA 8.15am. Back in Billericay about 8.30pm.

THURSDAY 6 JULY - HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW (RHS) SURREY
(SET IN 30 ACRES OF ROYAL PARKLAND - THE FINEST IN EVERYTHING HORTICULTURAL)
Inclusive cost - Adults - £25.00. SC - £22.00
Depart GG 8.00am, OA 8.05am, LR 8.10am, SG 8.15am. Back in Billericay about 7.00pm.

THE RESIDENT is published by Billericay District Residents' Association Editor - Trevor Stansfield, 174 Perry Sreet, Billericay, Essex CM12 0NX. Tel: 623519 E-mail:vice.chairman@bdra.org
 Printed by New Realm Design, Fortune Works, Wash Road, Laindon, Basildon, Essex

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