Wickford councillors push for a break-away from Basildon Council amid reforms

Essex County Council will be abolished, creating new unitary authorities. Basildon is expected to merge with Thurrock Council. However, the “Wick-exit” campaign, led by Tory councillors in Wickford, wants the area to join Chelmsford and other mid-Essex regions instead of merging with councils south of the A127.

Councillors argue that a “Wick-exit” would allow for “Wickford-first” policies and help avoid a “billion-pound debt disaster” associated with joining Thurrock. George Jeffery, the Basildon Conservative councillor for Wickford Park, stated, “This is a once-in-50-years opportunity for Wickford to break away from Basildon Council and avoid being dragged into Thurrock’s billion-pound debt disaster.”

He emphasized that Wickford should not suffer due to the mismanagement of other councils. Jeffery added, “Wickford deserves real local control, services designed for our families, and decisions made with our interests front and centre.” He mentioned that they are lobbying the government to allow Wickford to separate from Basildon’s issues and secure a future within a Mid-Essex authority.

The call for separation has also been supported by Billericay Tory councillors, who share similar concerns about merging with Basildon and Thurrock. Gavin Callaghan, the Labour leader of Basildon Council, acknowledged residents’ right to voice their opinions on local government reform (LGR) but noted a lack of willingness from other councils to accept the towns.

Callaghan stated, “It’s clear that the proposal for Billericay and Wickford to break away from Basildon doesn’t carry the support of any other councils in Essex.” He described LGR as the most significant government intervention in a generation and announced a meeting next Thursday for all councillors to discuss the matter.