PLANS to create a town council for Wickford are set to be discussed after more than 1,700 people signed a petition in support of the proposal.

Councillors will discuss the benefits new town and parish councils across the Basildon borough could bring to residents at a meeting on Thursday.

The petition was launched in February and a campaign group was officially set up in August last year.

Peter Holliman, councillor for Wickford North, who has been involved in the process for several years, told the Echo that there is a divide on the introduction of the town council.

He said: “There are two halves in the town.

“One half of the town think it will be really effective. The other half has posed questions about whether they want pay for the town council as well as the borough council.

“They want to know whether it will benefit them.”

Mr Holliman added: “This is why I’m a councillor.

“I’m a huge supporter of Wickford.

“There are concerns which I have about the parameters of the town council.

“Shotgate Parish Council covers some of Wickford.

“I hope they work together and seek common ground as it will benefit the town. Elections for the town council need to be discussed.

“If it has members from the borough council within it, it offers the town a back door approach into Basildon Council.

“The town council can also raise funds for the town specifically; this all needs to be discussed.”

Gavin Callaghan, leader of Basildon Council, said: “It’s really positive to see people wanting to be more involved in their community through the formation of new town and parish councils.

“These will have the ability to significantly contribute to the enhancement and appearance of the area and could also be ideally placed to operate to benefit the community, enhance communities, build identity, and civic pride.

“I therefore think that alongside considering the potential benefits and effectiveness for Wickford, we should take the opportunity to consider whether it would be appropriate to undertake reviews in other areas of the borough that are not currently parished.”

The next stage in the process of introducing a town council is public consultation.

However, Basildon Council has deferred this for “a short period of time” to allow for more discussion to be held.