BASILDON Council has welcomed the announcement of £40 million in Government funding over the next 10 years through the Pride in Place Programme. Council Leader, Cllr Gavin Callaghan, expressed his enthusiasm about the investment, stating:“The Government has awarded Basildon £40 million over the next 10 years which is the single biggest investment in our borough’s history. This investment gives us a real shot at getting ahead of the curve, not just patching up problems but actually fixing them. It’s a chance to restore pride, to put fairness into action, and to show residents that local government can still get things done. This funding shows that when you believe in Basildon, good things happen.”