BDRA - "The Resident"

The picture shown above is one of thirteen aerial photographs of Billericay included in a full colour, size A4 calendar for the year 2001, produced by the Association for the Millennium year. We thought it would be a good idea to record, for posterity, how Billericay looked in the year 2000 and had 30/40 aerial photographs taken of the town including Sun Corner, junction of Chapel Street with the High Street showing St Mary Magdalene Church, Lake Meadows, Norsey Wood, Mill Meadows, Little Burstead Church, St Mary Magdalen Church, Gt Burstead, Industrial Estate, Radford Way.

The calendar is on sale in Picturesque and Storyteller shops on the High Street for £4.99 and would make an ideal Christmas present. Individual photographs can be ordered from Mrs Buchanan, Billericay 656715.

There seems to be no immediate solution to the problem regarding the late delivery of mail in the Billericay area judging by the number of complaints which have been brought to my attention, so once again these complaints were brought to the attention of senior managers of the Post Office at the meeting of the Basildon Post Office Advisory Committee held on Wednesday 11 October.

A new management team has been given the task of solving the delivery problems in Billericay and they acknowledge that the service in Billericay is unsatisfactory but were confident it would be improved. Changes have already been made perhaps the most noticeable being opening up the old Post Office building to the public, however the installation of modern sorting equipment which had the potential to reduce the time required to sort mail for delivery by 20%-30% would achieve the greatest improvement. It was stated that the preparatory work of sorting the mail prior to delivery, which sometimes was not completed until 2.00pm, led to late deliveries. Further improvements were to be achieved by reorganising the rounds to ensure a fairer distribution of the work load, an increase in the number of staff and the purchase of two extra vehicles to take postbags to the street collection points.

The first six stages of the programme "Fit to Deliver" were now ready for implementation and a target date of the end of February 2001 has been set. Perhaps after this time late deliveries will be history but "there's many a slip twixt cup and lip".

The next meeting of the Basildon Post Office Advisory Committee will be on Wednesday 10 January 2001 when the delivery of mail will be one of the subjects for discussion however this will be the last meeting since all POACs will be abolished at the end of March 2001 and replaced by the Consumer Council for Postal Services.

It has also been decided to abolish the Basildon Telecommunications Advisory Committee at the end of March 2001 and the final meeting of this committee will take place on Wednesday 10 January 2001.

It has been generally accepted that competitive tendering of contracts in local government, introduced by the Conservative Government, has not been a success and consequently has been replaced by the present Government with the concept of Best Quality. Under this idea Local Government has to publish each year a Best Value Performance Plan, carry out a rolling programme of service reviews and be subjected to Best Value Audit and Inspection. Fortunately the Government has recognised that the duties of Best Value would not be cost effective for small Parish Councils and has set a threshold that exempts from all duties of Best Value any Parish Council whose budgeted income was below £500,000 for any of the financial years commencing 1997, 1998, 1999. However whilst the majority of local councils do not have a duty of Best Value the Government expects them to "embrace the principles and follow the practices of Best Value as far as possible".

From my understanding of Best Value it consists mainly of the application of good management practices to the operation of local councils with a turnover in excess of £500,000. With this in mind one can ask if the structure, proposed by Basildon Council, of Neighbourhood Commitees (Parish Councils in Billericay) reporting to Area Committees who in turn report to Basildon District Council is the most effective manner in which to provide services and manage budgets. It is suggested that Area Committees be given money to provide services in the area they represent if so what services will they provide and on what will the Parish Councils spend their precept? Whose voice will be heard when the opinions of local people are sought? Another management principle - "Consultation". It is to be hoped that before any proposal is implemented in depth consultations are held with the Parish Councils to determine their opinions and to listen to alternative suggestions.

SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER at 8.00pm. THE CANTABILE SINGERS join with the ST. JOHN SINGERS of CHELMSFORD to present a Christmas Concert at the Mayflower Hall, Chapel Street, Billericay. As usual the choir will present a variety of music and there will be guest artists including the Chelmer Saxophone Quartet. Refreshments will be provided in the interval. Tickets can be obtained from the Billericay Academy of Music, Chapel Street, Edwin Elgar 01277 659210 or on the night.

SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER - BILLERICAY TWINNING ASSOCIATION - TABLE SALE. SOUTH GREEN MEMORIAL HALL. 9.00am to 1.00pm. Cost £5.00 per table. Refreshments will be available. Contact Margaret Stansfield on 01277 623519 to book your table.

SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER - 10.00am to 12.00 noon, at the MAYFLOWER SCHOOL, STOCK ROAD, BILLERICAY. NEARLY NEW SALE of Baby's and Children's Clothes, Toys & Equipment and Maternity Wear. Limited number of places left, ring Lisa on 01277 632041. For more details ring Frances on 01277 626611.

WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER to SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER - Curtain up 8.00pm. STOCK DRAMA GROUP presents "A Touch of Danger" by Francis Durbridge, at the New Stock Village Hall (full disabled facilities). Licensed Bar and Parking. Tickets cost £5.00 (concessions £4.00 except Saturday) and can be obtained from Choc-o-Box Holly Court, Billericay and Porters Newsagents, Stock. Enquiries please ring Billericay 654267, Stock 840635.

SUNDAY 26 NOVEMBER - TABLE SALE, 10.00am to 1.00pm. Tables £5.00. Ring 01277 653369

SUNDAY 10 DECEMBER - TABLE SALE, 10.00am to 1.00pm. Tables £5.00. Ring 01277 653369

FRIDAY 8 DECEMBER at 7.45pm. Billericay Choral Society and Great Burstead Church Choir will be performing their popular Christmas Concert which will consist of parts of the Messiah and Carols for All. Tickets cost £4.00, concessions £3.00, includes mince pies and a hot drink and can be obtained from members of the two choirs, Storyteller Bookshop or ring 01277 653338. If you enjoy a friendly evening with good company and fine music then there is no better way to begin your Christmas celebrations. All proceeds from this concert will go to the Basildon Hospital Association for Renal Patients.

SUNDAY 10 DECEMBER at 2.30pm. The Howard Wallace Chorale is to present a concert entitled "Wassail, Wassail" to celebrate Christmas in the Millennium. It will be held in the Bishop's Hill Centre, Rayleigh Road, Hutton. The programme will be music for all - come , listen and sing! Tickets cost £5.00 (14 and under £2.00), including seasonal refreshments and can be obtained by contacting

BILLERICAY RECORDED MUSIC SOCIETY - The Society meets at 8.00pm on Friday evenings at The Fold, 72 Laindon Road, Billericay. Hon Secretary:- Sandra Neill, Tel 01268 710464

MUSIC for the ROYAL FIREWORKS

HANDEL

CONCERTO for TWO VIOLINS

BACH

SYMPHONY No 9 ("New World")

DVORAK

MAGNIFICAT

Wm. CORNISH

GOLDBERG VARIATIONS (in three different guises)

BACH

EXCERPTS FROM THE OPERETTAS (wine available)

GILBERT & SULLIVAN

ABACUS CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANERS - 01277 625168 offers members of the Residents' Association 10% discount on production of their membership card.

BILLERICAY CHESS CLUB has one team playing in the Essex League and two teams playing in the North Essex League, members also enter for various internal competitions. If anyone is interested in joining the club please contact Charles Newman on 01277 622265 or Ian Fuller on 01277 655564. All standards of players are welcome.

A FOLK CLUB meets in The Rising Sun, Billericay at 8.30pm on the last Thursday of each month (except December). For further information please contact Clive Hammond on 01277 633793.

Cheques for trips organised by the BILLERICAY TWINNING ASSOCIATION should be made payable to BTA and sent to T & M Stansfield at 174 Perry Street, Billericay, CM12 0NX . Tel No 623519.

Cheques for trips organised by the BILLERICAY DISTRICT RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION should be made payable to BDRA and sent to D & B Osborn at 22 Raven Lane, Billericay CM12 0JA. Tel No 626287.

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BILLERICAY TWINNING ASSOCIATION - COACH TRIPS - TO BOOK PLEASE RING 01277 623519

TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER - BLUEWATER CHRISTMAS SHOPPING - Last minute shopping for Xmas presents, Bluewater is the place. A little less tiring than Lakeside with plenty of places to sit and rest. Coach £5.50. Depart GG 9.00am, OA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 6.30pm.

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BILLERICAY DISTRICT RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION - COACH TRIPS - TO BOOK RING 01277 626287.

THURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER - ROYAL ALBERT HALL - CLASSICAL SPECTACULAR - 7.30 pm performance. FULL PLEASE PAY NOW. Inclusive cost all seats £25.00. Depart GG 4.30pm, OA 4.35pm, LR 4.40pm, SG 4.45pm. Back in Billericay about midnight.

THURSFORD - CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR - MONDAY 20 NOVEMBER, TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER, SATURDAY 23 DECEMBER. The ever popular Xmas show for all - need we say more. Inclusive cost £23.00 (Children under 8 years not permitted). Depart GG 9.00am, LR 9.05am, SG 9.10am and finally OA 9.15am. Lunch can be obtained in Swaffham. Back in Billericay about 9.00pm.

SATURDAY 2 DECEMBER - NORWICH CHRISTMAS SHOPPING.Inclusive cost £7.50. FULL. PLEASE PAY NOW. Depart GG 9.00am, OA 9.05am, LR 9.10am, SG 9.15am. Back in Billericay about 8.30pm.

SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER- LONDON PALLADIUM THEATRE - THE KING AND I. Mid/Rear Stalls - 2.30pm matinee. Inclusive cost £36.00. FULL. PLEASE PAY NOW. Depart GG 11.30am, OA 11.35am, LR 11.40am, SG 11.45am. Back in Billericay about 9.00pm.

TUESDAY 2 JANUARY 2001 - PANTOMIME at CLIFFS PAVILION - PETER PAN. Starring Shane Ritchie, Peter Holmes (Breeze Radio) and Jeremy Sprake (BBC TV's Airport). Great show for all the family Oh no it isn't, Oh yes it is. Front balcony, 2.15pm matinee. Inclusive cost - Adults £18.00, Seniors £15.00, Children £13.00. Depart GG 12.30pm, OA 12.35pm, LR 12.40pm, SG 12.45pm. Back in Billericay about 6.30pm.

SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2001 - HOLIDAY ON ICE - XOTICA - LONDON ARENA, DOCKLANDS. BEST SEATS. 2.00pm matinee. Inclusive cost - Adults/Seniors £20.00, Children £10.00. Depart GG 12.00pm, OA 12.05pm, LR 12.10pm, SG 12.15pm. Back in Billericay about 6.30pm.

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

MUSIC for the ROYAL FIREWORKS	HANDEL
CONCERTO for TWO VIOLINS	BACH
SYMPHONY No 9 ("New World")	DVORAK

MAGNIFICAT	Wm. CORNISH
GOLDBERG VARIATIONS (in three different guises)	BACH
EXCERPTS FROM THE OPERETTAS (wine available)	GILBERT & SULLIVAN

NOVEMBER 2000