People across Castle Point are to benefit from an extra £5,000 for the community, it emerged today.

Members of the council agreed to fund each of the six area forums in the borough to the tune of £5,000.

The cash will be spent on carrying out improvements to each of the regions, which are divided into Benfleet, Canvey East, Canvey West, Hadleigh and Daws Heath, Tarpots and Thundersley.

However, Hadleigh and Daws Heath is to get an extra £5,000 to pay for vital work needed to stop the Prittle Brook flooding.

The local forums regularly hold meetings where local people can talk with councillors and raise any problems.

Council leader Dave Wells (Lab, St George's) said: "There is a common theme throughout the forums. People want to improve their local areas and are asking why certain works have not been done."

However, Tory group leader Pam Challis (Con, St Peter's) said: "I agree on the funding, but one area is going to want to spend more than another area."

Published Wednesday October 16, 2002

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