This meeting is organised by St Georges Community Housing Limited, the not-for-profit company who since April 2007 are responsible for the management of council homes for the Basildon District, known as an ALMO (Arms Length Management Organisation)

The meetings are held on a regular basis, and are targeted at residents of council homes and sheltered accommodation, and items covered include refuse collection, public transport, highways, policing etc. Since these are areas of interest to all residents, tenants or not, and since there is no other forum for Wickford residents to find out what is happening in our town, and since the meeting was 'open to all', some members of the Wickford Action Group attended. We were also intrigued to hear that the Wickford Master Plan was on the agenda.

It was a well organised meeting, and the people involved are to be congratulated on the work they do, and the services they provide. There were no apologies for absence from councillors, and although Basildon Councillors are usually in attendance, only one was present, Tony Ball, and he was able to make some interesting contributions. (The 3 prospective Wickford Action Group candidates were present - our aim is to keep you informed!)

There was a full agenda, and Adrian Richards, the Tenant Participation Development Officer will be issuing minutes in due course. Below are some of the points which were of interest to us as residents of Wickford.

• The point was made by a number  of people that there is no forum for residents to be informed and consulted on the future of Wickford.
  
  
• There were two announcements about the Master Plan
  • The appointment of a senior project manager to manage the Master Plan is imminent, and later in the year or early next year a Strategic Partner will be chosen to deliver the project.
  • The 'Public & Health' sector of the Master Plan is about to be announced, and will include the 'refurbished/rebuilt' swimming pool, health centre, and library, and Family Mosaic Housing Association will be building houses on the site of Willow Court. (Cllr Ball confirmed that the health centre will NOT include the London Rd Surgery)
    
    
• Flats on the site of the Toyota garage. Cllr Ball said there has been an approach by a developer, and the Council are opposed to it. 
  
  
• Medical Centre on Frasier's site. Cllr Ball said that the Frasier's site is targeted for leisure under the Master Plan, but that moves are in progress re the medical centre - 'watch this space'. He wouldn't say more.