FRESH plans to keep Basildon's streetlights on all night have emerged. 

The proposal, which would need £146,000 approved to pay for it, is set to be discussed at a key council meeting next week.

Basildon Council's Policy and Resources Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 2, to talk about entering into a four-year agreement with Essex County Council to fund night-time street lighting across the borough.

Members will also be asked to approve £146,000 to turn the street lights on at night from 31 October to March 2020 with further funding to be agreed at a later date.

Essex County Council cut all-night lighting in February 2014 so all county council-owned lights were off between midnight and 5am.

The times were later altered to 1am to 5am.

Gavin Callaghan, leader of Basildon Council and Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, said: "Lack of night-time street lighting has been a constant issue for residents over the last five years. We are acting in the best interests of residents by bringing this proposal to committee.

"This is about making our residents feel safe and giving them back the confidence to move around their own borough during these times.

"With committee's approval I look forward to working with county council colleagues to get our lights turned back on as soon as possible."

Essex County Council is currently undertaking a county-wide programme to upgrade existing street lights to LED lights with Basildon borough's scheduled to be upgraded in 2020/21 as part of the programme.