View source for Borough of Basildon

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2012}}

{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See {{Infobox settlement}} for the full list of available fields -->
<!-- Elements common to the United Kingdom -->
| official_name           = Borough of Basildon
| settlement_type         = [[Non-metropolitan district]] and [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|borough]]
| image_skyline           = Town Square, Basildon - geograph.org.uk - 2575026.jpg
| imagesize               = 
| image_alt               = 
| image_caption           = Basildon, the administrative centre of the borough
| image_shield            =
| shield_size             = 
| shield_alt              = 
| shield_link             = 
| image_map               = Basildon UK locator map.svg
| mapsize                 = 150px
| map_alt                 = 
| map_caption             = Basildon shown within Essex
| subdivision_type        = [[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name        = [[United Kingdom]]
| subdivision_type1       = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Country]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[Regions of England|Region]]
| subdivision_type3       = [[Non-metropolitan county]]
| subdivision_type4       = Status
| subdivision_type5       = Admin HQ
| subdivision_name1       = [[England]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[East of England]]
| subdivision_name3       = [[Essex]]
| subdivision_name4       = [[Non-metropolitan district]], [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|Borough]]
| subdivision_name5       = [[Basildon]]
| established_title1      = Incorporated
| established_date1       = 1 April 1974
| government_type         = Non-metropolitan district council
| governing_body          = Basildon Borough Council
| leader_title1           = [[List of MPs elected in the 2024 United Kingdom general election|MPs]]
| leader_name1            = [[Richard Holden (British politician)|Richard Holden]]<br />[[James McMurdock]]<br />[[Mark Francois]]
| area_total_km2          = 110.02
| area_rank               = {{English district area rank|GSS=E07000066}} [[List of English districts by area|(of {{English district total}})]]
| population_total        = {{English district population|GSS=E07000066}}
| population_as_of        = {{English statistics year}}
| population_density_km2  = auto
| population_rank         = {{English district rank|GSS=E07000066}} [[List of English districts by population|(of {{English district total}})]]
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->
| demographics_type1      = Ethnicity <span style="font-weight:normal;">([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]])</span>
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis">{{NOMIS2021|id=E07000066|title=Basildon Local Authority|access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1    = [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|Ethnic groups]]
| demographics1_info1     =
 {{Collapsible list
 | 87.5% [[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]
 | 4.8% [[Black British people|Black]]
 | 4.3% [[British Asians|Asian]]
 | 2.6% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]]
 | 0.9% [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|other]]
 }}
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->
| demographics_type2      = Religion <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span>
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis"/>
| demographics2_title1    = [[Religion in England|Religion]]
| demographics2_info1     = 
 {{Collapsible list
 | 46.5% [[Religion in England#Christianity|Christianity]]
 | 44.1% [[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|no religion]]
 | 7.6% [[Religion in England|other]]
 | 1.8% [[Islam in England|Islam]]
 }}
| timezone                = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset              = 0
| timezone_DST            = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
| utc_offset_DST          = +1
|coordinates= {{coord|51.5705|0.4545|type:adm3rd_dim:15000_region:GB-ESS|display=inline, title}}

<!-- Elements common to the administrative division of this type (English two-tier district) -->
| blank1_name             = [[ONS coding system|ONS code]]
| blank2_name             = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|OS grid reference]]

<!-- Elements unique to this article -->
| blank1_info             = E07000066
| blank2_info             = {{gbmappingsmall|TQ735895}} 
}}

The '''Borough of Basildon''' is a [[Non-metropolitan district|local government district]] with [[borough status in the United Kingdom|borough status]] in [[Essex]], England. It is named after its largest town, [[Basildon]], where the council is based. The borough also includes the towns of [[Billericay]] and [[Wickford]] and surrounding rural areas.

The borough borders the [[City of Chelmsford]] to the north, the [[Borough of Brentwood]] to the west, the [[Thurrock]] unitary authority area to the south, the Borough of [[Castle Point]] to the south-east, and [[Rochford District]] to the north-east.

==History==
Billericay Urban District was created in 1934.<ref>{{cite web |title=Billericay Urban District |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10108135 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=18 March 2024}}</ref> In 1955 it was renamed [[Basildon Urban District]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Basildon Urban District |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10055003 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref> to reflect the growth of [[Basildon]], which had been designated a [[New towns in the United Kingdom|new town]] in 1949.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=38507 |date=7 January 1949 |page=145}}</ref>

[[Urban district (England and Wales)|Urban district]]s were abolished on 1 April 1974, under the [[Local Government Act 1972]]. On this date, a new [[non-metropolitan district]] called Basildon was created, covering the whole area of the former Basildon Urban District plus the small part of the neighbouring [[Thurrock Urban District]] which fell within the designated area for Basildon New Town.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

In the 1990s Basildon applied to become a unitary authority but this was declined, with the government asserting that the divergent interests of the three main towns meant any change to the status quo should involve splitting the borough; with Billericay and Wickford joining the districts of [[Borough of Brentwood|Brentwood]] and [[Rochford District|Rochford]] respectively.<ref>The Local Government Review in England Research Paper 95/84 House of Commons Library https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/RP95-84/RP95-84.pdf</ref><ref>The 1995 Review of 21 Districts in England: Overview Report - Local Government Commission for England</ref>

The district was awarded [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|borough status]] in 2010, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor, with Mo Larkin being appointed the first mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.basildon.gov.uk/website2/newsroom.nsf/APR/CCC4336CF850161A8025779F002EFDBE?OpenDocument |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718062153/http://www2.basildon.gov.uk/website2/newsroom.nsf/APR/CCC4336CF850161A8025779F002EFDBE?OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 July 2011 |title=Basildon to get its first Mayor |publisher=Basildon District Council |date=15 September 2010 |access-date=15 September 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-11315875 | title=Basildon district becomes borough | work=BBC News | date=15 September 2010 | access-date=26 March 2011 }}</ref>

==Governance==
{{Infobox legislature
| name               = Basildon Borough Council
| term_length        = Third of council elected three years out of four
| coa_pic            = 
| coa_caption        = 
| coa_res            = 200px
| coa_alt            =
| logo_pic           = Basildon Borough Council.svg
| logo_caption       = 
| logo_res           = 200px
| logo_alt           =
| foundation         = 1 April 1974
| house_type         = Non-metropolitan district
| new_session        = 
| leader1_type       = [[Mayors in England|Mayor]]
| leader1            = Allan Davies
| party1             = <br/>[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
| election1          = 23 May 2024<ref>{{cite web |title=Council meeting, 23 May 2024 |url=https://www.basildonmeetings.info/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=216&MId=7752 |website=Basildon Council | date=23 May 2024 |access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Basildon announced for 2025/26 Municipal Year |url=https://www.basildon.gov.uk/article/10522/In-the-News-Mayor-and-Deputy-Mayor-of-Basildon-announced-for-2025-26-Municipal-Year |website=Basildon Council |access-date=30 May 2025 |date=2 May 2025}}</ref>
| leader2_type       = [[Leader of the council|Leader]]
| leader2            = Gavin Callaghan
| party2             = <br/>[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
| election2          = 23 May 2024
| leader3_type       = [[Chief Executive]]
| leader3            = Gavin Jones
| party3             = <!-- Non-political role -->
| election3          = 20 January 2025<ref>{{cite news |last1=Boakye |first1=Kwame |title=District appoints new chief |url=https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/workforce/district-appoints-new-chief-5-25-10-2024/ |access-date=30 May 2025 |work=Local Government Chronicle |date=25 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 16 January 2025 |url=https://www.basildonmeetings.info/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=216&MId=9159 |website=Basildon Council |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref>
| seats              = 42 councillors
| structure1         = 
| structure1_res     = 260
| structure1_alt     = 
| political_groups1  =
;Administration (23)
:{{Color box|{{party colour|Labour Party (UK)}}| border=darkgray}} [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] (16)
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party colour|Independent politician}}|border=darkgray}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] (7)}}
;Other parties (19)
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party colour|Conservative Party (UK)}}| border=darkgray}} [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (13)}}
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party colour|Wickford Independents}}|border=darkgray}} Wickford Ind. (4)}}
: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Reform UK}}|border=darkgray}} [[Reform UK]] (2)}}
| committees1        = 
| joint_committees   = 
| voting_system1     = 
| last_election1     = [[2024 Basildon Borough Council election|2 May 2024]]
| next_election1     = 7 May 2026
| session_room       = File:The Basildon Centre.jpg
| session_res        = 
| session_alt        =
| meeting_place      = The Basildon Centre, St Martin's Square, [[Basildon]], SS14{{nbsp}}1DL
| website            = {{URL|www.basildon.gov.uk/}}
| constitution       = 
| footnotes          =
| motto              = 
}}
[[File:Billericay High Street.jpg|thumb|[[Billericay]], one of the towns of the borough]]
[[File:Junction of Wickford High Street and the A129 - geograph.org.uk - 1036287.jpg|thumb|[[Wickford, Essex|Wickford]], one of the towns of the borough]]
[[File:Ramsden Bellhouse - geograph.org.uk - 2124909.jpg|thumb|[[Ramsden Bellhouse]], one of the villages in the borough]]
Basildon Borough Council provides [[Non-metropolitan district|district-level]] services. [[Non-metropolitan county|County-level]] services are provided by [[Essex County Council]]. Parts of the borough are also covered by [[civil parish]]es, which form a third tier of local government.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

===Political control===
The council has been under [[no overall control]] since the [[2024 Basildon Borough Council election|2024 election]], with [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] the largest party.<ref>{{cite news |title=Basildon Election Result |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/england/councils/E07000066 |access-date=3 May 2024}}</ref> An administration of Labour and the [[independent politician|independent]] councillors subsequently formed to run the council.<ref>{{cite web |title=Council meeting, 23 May 2024 |url=https://www.basildonmeetings.info/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=216&MId=7752 |website=Basildon Council | date=23 May 2024 |access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref>

The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Basildon" in search box to see specific results.)</ref><ref name=change>{{cite news| url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/elections/local_council/08/html/22ub.stm | title = Basildon | access-date = 2010-03-17 | work = [[BBC News Online]] | date=19 April 2008}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="2"|Party in control!!Years
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1974–1976
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1976–1982
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1982–1987
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1987–1990
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1990–1991
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1991–1992
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 1992–1994
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1994–1996
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1996–2000
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2000–2003
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2003–2014
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2014–2018
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2018–2019
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2019–2021
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2021–2024
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2024–present
|-
|}
===Leadership===
The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Basildon. Political leadership is instead provided by the [[leader of the council]]. The leaders since 1996 have been:<ref>{{cite web |title=Basildon Council Leaders and Deputy Leaders 1965–2017 |url=https://www.basildon.com/history/basildon/bcl.html |website=Basildon History |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref>

{| class=wikitable
! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To
|-
| John Potter || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1996 || align=right|May 2002
|-
| Nigel Smith<ref>{{cite news |title=Basildon: Nigel is appointed leader |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/5469629.basildon-nigel-is-appointed-leader/ |access-date=30 May 2025 |work=Daily Gazette / Essex County Standard |date=17 May 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Basildon: Labour throw in the towel |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/5462953.basildon-labour-throw-in-the-towel/ |access-date=30 May 2025 |work=Daily Gazette / Essex County Standard |date=17 October 2002}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|May 2002 || align=right|Oct 2002
|-
| Malcolm Buckley<ref>{{cite news |last1=Berrill |first1=Lewis |title=Basildon: Councillor Malcolm Buckley set to retire |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20022503.basildon-councillor-malcolm-buckley-set-retire/ |access-date=30 May 2025 |work=Basildon Echo |date=25 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaudry |first1=Adam |title=Malcolm reflects on his time in politics |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/4387580.malcolm-reflects-on-his-time-in-politics/ |access-date=30 May 2025 |work=Basildon Echo |date=22 May 2009}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|Nov 2002 || align=right|21 May 2009
|-
| Tony Ball<ref>{{cite web |title=Cllr Tony Ball |url=https://lga.moderngov.co.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=351 |website=Local Government Association |access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Elections 2014 Essex: Conservatives lose control of four councils |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-27511103 |access-date=30 May 2025 |work=BBC News |date=30 May 2025}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|21 May 2009 || align=right|May 2014
|-
| Phil Turner<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 12 June 2014 |url=https://www.basildonmeetings.info/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=216&MId=4828 |website=Basildon Council |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|12 Jun 2014 || align=right|25 May 2017
|-
| Gavin Callaghan<ref name=leader/><ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 25 May 2017 |url=https://www.basildonmeetings.info/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=216&MId=6105 |website=Basildon Council |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 25 May 2017 |url=https://www.basildonmeetings.info/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=216&MId=5801 |website=Basildon Council |access-date=30 May 2025}} (Minute 255, enclosure 2)</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|25 May 2017 || align=right|May 2018
|-
| Andrew Baggott<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 24 May 2018 |url=https://www.basildonmeetings.info/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=216&MId=6167 |website=Basildon Council |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|24 May 2018 || align=right|May 2019
|-
| Gavin Callaghan<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 23 May 2019 |url=https://www.basildonmeetings.info/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=216&MId=6440 |website=Basildon Council |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref><ref name=leader>{{cite web |title=Leader of Basildon Council |url=https://www.basildon.gov.uk/article/10019/Leader-of-Basildon-Council |website=Basildon Council |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|23 May 2019 || align=right|May 2021
|-
| Andrew Baggott<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 27 May 2021 |url=https://www.basildonmeetings.info/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=216&MId=6762 |website=Basildon Council |access-date=30 May 2025}} (Minutes 332, Enclosure 2)</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Penna |first1=Dominic |title=Tories 'should never have got rid of Boris', says ousted council leader |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/05/03/tories-never-should-have-got-rid-boris-johnson/ |access-date=30 May 2025 |work=The Telegraph |date=3 May 2024}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|27 May 2021 || align=right|May 2024
|-
| Gavin Callaghan<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 23 May 2024 |url=https://www.basildonmeetings.info/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=216&MId=7752 |website=Basildon Council |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|23 May 2024 || align=right|
|}

===Composition===
Following the [[2024 Basildon Borough Council election|2024 election]], the composition of the council was:<ref>{{cite news |title=Local elections 2024: full mayoral and council results for England |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2024/may/02/local-elections-2024-full-council-results-for-england |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=4 May 2024}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2| Party
! Councillors
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}}
| align=center|18
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}}
| align=center|13
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}}
| align=center|6
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Wickford Independents|full=yes}}
| align=center|5
|-
! colspan=2|Total
! align=center|42
|}
The six independent councillors sit together as the Independent Group, which forms part of the council's administration with Labour, holding a cabinet position.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your Councillors by Political Grouping |url=https://www.basildonmeetings.info/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=GROUPING&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |website=Basildon Council |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref> The next election is due in May 2028.<ref>{{cite web |title=Basildon |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=basildon |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=30 May 2025}}</ref>

===Premises===
The council has its headquarters at the Basildon Centre on St Martin's Square in [[Basildon Town Centre]]. The building was purpose-built for the council in 1989 at a cost of £17.5 million. It was formally opened on 14 November 1989 by [[Jack Cunningham, Baron Cunningham of Felling|Jack Cunningham]], the [[Shadow Leader of the House of Commons]]. The building also contains the town's library.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Behringer |first1=Kim |title=MP praises new centre |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=1 June 2023 |work=Billericay Gazette |date=24 November 1989 |page=3}}</ref>

==Elections==
{{also|Basildon Borough Council elections}}
Since the last boundary changes in 2024, the council has comprised 42 [[councillor]]s representing 14 [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|wards]], with each ward electing three councillors. Elections are held in three out of every four years, with a third of the council (one councillor for each ward) elected each time for a four-year term of office. [[Essex County Council elections]] are held in the fourth year of the cycle when there are no borough council elections.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Basildon (Electoral Changes) Order 2023|year=2024|number=731|access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref>

==Towns and parishes==
[[File:Basildon population pyramid.svg|thumb|Basildon population pyramid]]
There are nine [[civil parish]]es in the borough. The town of Basildon itself is an [[unparished area]], as is a small area west of Wickford.<ref>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref> The parish councils for Billericay and Wickford are styled "town councils", whilst that for Great Burstead and South Green is styled a "village council". The civil parishes are:<ref>{{cite web |title=Borough Town, Parish and Village Councils |url=https://www.basildon.gov.uk/article/520/Borough-Town-Parish-and-Village-Councils |website=Basildon Council |access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Billericay]]
*[[Bowers Gifford and North Benfleet]]
*[[Great Burstead and South Green]]
*[[Little Burstead]]
*[[Noak Bridge]]
*[[Ramsden Bellhouse]]
*[[Ramsden Crays]]
*[[Shotgate]]
*[[Wickford]]
{{div col end}}

==Geography==
[[File:Basildon.png|right|thumb|300px|Constituencies within the Basildon district. <br />Blue: Billericay and Basildon <br />Red: Basildon South and Thurrock East <br />Green: Rayleigh and Wickford]]
The [[district]] has three main urban areas: [[Basildon]], [[Billericay]] and [[Wickford]]. Proposals to move Billericay and Wickford to other districts, leaving Basildon district more focused on the new town, were considered in the 1990s but rejected.<ref name=cooksey>LGCE.  ''Final Recommendations on the Future Local Government of: Basildon & Thurrock, Blackburn & Blackpool, Broxtowe, Gedling & Rushcliffe, Dartford & Gravesham, Gillingham & Rochester Upon Medway, Exeter, Gloucester, Halton & Warrington, Huntingdonshire & Peterborough, Northampton, Norwich, Spelthorne and the Wrekin.''  December 1995.</ref>

The new town of [[Basildon]] grew to absorb four earlier settlements: [[Laindon]], Basildon, [[Vange]] and [[Pitsea]] (from west to east) which have merged with other minor hamlets.

The remaining land, approximately half of the district is designated as [[green belt]], has several [[site of special scientific interest|sites of special scientific interest]]. Two are around Billericay and the remainder are to the south of Basildon New Town. There are also wildlife areas of varying sizes around most of the district, except in the East.

The source of the [[River Crouch]] is in the district. The river runs across the district, through [[Wickford]] before it leaves the district.

The district is linked well by road and rail with significant surrounding destinations, including [[London]].

In the west of the Basildon district, the [[Dunton Plotlands]] is an area of small plots of land used as weekend cottages or smallholdings inhabited during the mid twentieth century.

=== List of settlements ===
It contains the towns of:

* [[Basildon]] (the administrative headquarters)
** [[Laindon]]
** [[Langdon Hills]]
** [[Pitsea]]
** [[Vange]]
* [[Billericay]]
* [[Wickford]]

Villages within the district are:
* [[Bowers Gifford]]
* [[Crays Hill]]
* [[Dunton Wayletts]]
* [[Great Burstead]]
* [[Havering's Grove]] (part)
* [[Little Burstead]]
* [[Nevendon]]
* [[North Benfleet]]
* [[Ramsden Bellhouse]]
* [[Shotgate]]
* [[Great Berry]]

==Regeneration plans==
Basildon District is a prosperous business location and has in recent years seen significant inward investment and jobs growth. Throughout Basildon District there are major developments planned estimated to total nearly £2 billion. These include:

*The regeneration of Basildon, Wickford, Pitsea, and Laindon Town Centres
*A new Sporting Village and improvements to playing pitches and sports facilities throughout the District to make Basildon the Centre for Sport in South Essex. The sporting village is expected in 2010, and is being highly sought after as an Olympic training base for one of the top teams, including the Russians. Its combined benefits, of having some of the top facilities so close to London, including one of the few Olympic (50m) size pools in the UK, will make it a true asset to whatever team(s) use it.
*The creation of a health and education research centre near Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital and FE College
*Investment in the Basildon Enterprise Corridor, the largest business area in the Thames Gateway outside London, home to 45,000 jobs and over 5,000 businesses, including Ford, Selex, Visteon, Case New Holland, [[First Data]] Europe, International Financial Services Limited, RBS, and Starbucks
*The creation of one of the largest wetland nature reserves in Europe in the Thames Marshes by the RSPB, Land Restoration Trust, Basildon District Council and Veolia
*A strategic review of the District's housing, with investment in housing estates such as Craylands, Five Links and Felmores to create first class places to live

Coordinating and promoting this programme of investment is the Basildon Renaissance Partnership which was set up in 2003 by Basildon District Council. Its partners also include the East of England Development Agency, English Partnerships, Essex County Council, and the Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership with support from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The BBC noted the council had decided to sell for £1 a plot of land it bought next to the golf course for £1m in order to build a 4 star hotel.  The Conservative leader described the sale as doomed to failure.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-47172198|title=Basildon Council to sell land it bought for £1m for £1|work=BBC News|date=8 February 2019|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref>

==Transport==
The district is connected to [[London]] and [[Southend-on-sea|Southend]] via two train operators: [[c2c]] and [[Greater Anglia]]. The route operated by c2c is the [[London, Tilbury & Southend line]]. Three principal stations of the railway line are in the district: [[Basildon railway station]], [[Laindon railway station]] and [[Pitsea railway station]]

The former [[First Great Eastern]] service operates on the [[Shenfield to Southend Line]]. Trains stop at [[Billericay railway station|Billericay]] and [[Wickford railway station]]. At Wickford, the [[Crouch Valley Line]] diverges from the Shenfield to Southend line.

Three [[Primary status|primary route]]s are within the district. The [[A127 road|A127]] goes through its centre, the [[A13 road (Great Britain)|A13]] goes through the south-east at Pitsea. Both these primary routes connect the district with [[Greater London]] and Southend-on-Sea. At Bowers Gifford at a terminus of the A13's [[primary status]] there is a junction with the beginning of primary status for the [[A130 road|A130]] with runs along a small section of the western boundary of the district. The A130 connects the district with [[Chelmsford]]. The [[A129 road|A129]] is the major road link between Billericay and Wickford, which are linked via [[Great Britain road numbering scheme|A-Roads]] to the urban area of Basildon, Pitsea and Laindon by the [[A176 road|A176]] and the [[A132 road (England)|A132]], respectively.

==Freedom of the Borough==
The following people and military units have received the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom of the Borough]] of Basildon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basildon.gov.uk/article/3938/Freedom-of-the-Borough?contactid=3046|title=Freedom of the Borough - Basildon|website=basildon.gov.uk|access-date=2020-04-15}}</ref>
 
{{Incomplete list|date=September 2019}}

===Individuals===
* [[Max Whitlock]]: February 2016.
* [[Stuart Bingham]]: February 2016.
* Trudi Westmore-Cox: September 2019.<ref name=":0" />
* Donald Sheppard: September 2019.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.yellowad.co.uk/basildon-war-hero-and-hospice-founder-awarded-freedom-of-the-borough/|title=Basildon war hero and hospice founder awarded Freedom of the Borough|last=Thomson|first=Charles|date=2019-11-25|website=Yellow Advertiser|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-15}}</ref>

===Military Units===
* The [[Royal Anglian Regiment]]: April 2011.

===Organisations and groups===
* Basildon & Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group: 27 May 2021.
* Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust: 27 May 2021.
* North East London NHS Foundation Trust: 27 May 2021.
* Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust: 27 May 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yellowad.co.uk/freedom-of-entry-to-the-borough-status-awarded-to-basildons-nhs-heroes/ |title=Freedom of Entry to the borough status awarded to Basildon's NHS heroes  |last=Ferris |first=Mick |date=28 May 2021 |website=Yellow Advertiser |publisher= |access-date=26 June 2021 |quote=}}</ref>
* The [[East of England Ambulance Service]] [[NHS trust]]: 23 October 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/19667813.east-england-ambulance-service-given-freedom-basildon/ |title=East of England Ambulance service given freedom of Basildon  |last=Emes |first=Toby |date=23 October 2021 |website=The Basildon Canvey Southend Echo |publisher= |access-date=24 October 2021 |quote=}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://basildon.gov.uk/ Basildon District Home Page]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003558/http://www.basildonrenaissance.co.uk/ Basildon Renaissance Partnership]
* [http://www.basildonheritage.org.uk/ Basildon Heritage]
* [http://basildonhistory.wix.com/essex Basildon Borough History]

{{Basildon}}
{{Essex}}
{{East_of_England}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Basildon, Borough of}}
[[Category:Borough of Basildon| ]]
[[Category:Non-metropolitan districts of Essex]]
[[Category:Boroughs in England]]