Council and BRP measures helping hundreds through recession

Councillors heard how a number of recession busting initiatives implemented since June have helped hundreds of residents and businesses through the recession and towards recovery.

A report presented to last night's cabinet (10^th December) shows how Council and Basildon Renaissance campaigns have helped local businesses and local people.

Councillor Andrew Baggottt, cabinet member for community, says:  "We have seen a visible increase of visitors into the Basildon Centre and have been taking benefit roadshows out to the community, to ensure that residents have all the help that they need to get through what are tough times.

"We have made great progress and success, but we will not rest on our laurels.  We will continue to support the community and local businesses and invest in them as we head towards an economic recovery."

Highlights for helping residents include:

• Recruitment of an additional benefits advisor and a benefits awareness campaign has enabled 195 more residents to claim housing benefit, and 120 people to be contacted who may be entitled to additional child benefit payments
• Over 1000 residents have signed up for the council's low cost gym at the Eversley Centre.  The £17.50 a month gym has proved so popular that the capacity of the gym is to be increased by 300 and a new studio created.
• The Council has led the way in South Essex helping to deliver the government's ‘mortgage rescue scheme.'
• Environmental health have struck a deal with local solicitors BTMK to offer free advice to tenants under threat of illegal eviction
• The setting up of a redundancy help line which is taking an average of 20 calls per month

Highlights for helping business include:

• A campaign to encourage businesses to claim small business rate relief (up to 50% rate rebate) has seen a 91% success rate.  The remaining businesses yet to sign up are being telephoned and urged to return the forms
• Seven business clinics have been held helping over 50 firms as part of a dedicated business support programme.  3 more are planned for the New Year.
• 299 local businesses have taken up the council's rate deferral scheme, deferring amounts ranging from £11.72 to £41,467.50
• Free council car parking continues to be a success at weekends, particularly in Wickford and Billericay, with an average 15% rise in visitors.

Councillors will also hear how two events funded by the local strategic partnership (LSP) aimed at helping young people assess their future options were attended by over 2000 people.