BASILDON’s council leader is urging county council bosses to agree terms for the authority to take total control of the borough, dubbed Basexit.

Gavin Callaghan, Labour Basildon Council wrote to Essex County Council leader David Finch for support in the change in control.

The letter states: “Our studies have shown we cannot adequately meet the needs of our residents and achieve all the ambitions we have for our borough and communities until control of key services like education, highways and transport is brought closer to home.

“I’ve written to the leader of Essex County Council to ask how he is justifying his four per cent increase in council tax despite appalling levels of service for Basildon borough residents and businesses.

“I urge him to back Basildon’s plans for unitary status.”

It comes after the council’s policy and resources committee agreed to create a business case and further plans for independent authority control.

Kerry Smith deputy leader says the borough will be better as its own authority.

He said: “It’s the first stage of the whole project, officers have gone away, done their work and found it will be better for Basildon.

“It will next be discussed in the summer and we are taking baby steps to ensure we get our case right.

“We must ensure that we get the best future for Basildon.

“We need to run with Basexit and are taking small steps to make sure our case is 100 per cent watertight.

“The residents will get a better service run by the people who know Basildon best.

“We can take up issues and get them sorted quickly, it’ll give more accountability.

“We are also hoping it’ll allow for cheaper council tax, as unitary authorities such as Southend and Thurrock Council have cheaper rates.”

According to council bosses, they asked residents for their views about what should be done to improve the borough.

This showed while 61 per cent understood the county council provides education services, 67 per cent thought Basildon Council should provide them.

Some 53 per cent of those residents asked knew roads are a county council job but 71 per cent thought they should be controlled locally.