Hutton Community Centre: Badly handled with no plan

Brentwood Liberal Democrats made their support for the refurbishment of the Hutton Community Centre clear last night and voted positively to retain the facility, unlike one Conservative councillor who voted against. However, serious concerns remain over the way the project has been handled and the approach that is being taken by the Conservative administration.

It was confirmed that:

- there is no business plan to support the project

- there are no timelines established

- the £165,000 set aside may not be adequate

- the fencing (erected by the company of a Conservative councillor) is not security fencing - just perimeter fencing

- there is a lack of ongoing financial commitment

- there are issues with criteria for volunteers being inadequately considered

- there is a question mark over whether there is asbestos on the site

- there are issues over the state of the site, and whether it is viable to refurbish it and whether it would be better to re-build it

- conflicting answers were given from offficers and councillors over whether the Essex Boys and Girls Club are interested in being involved (an email from them states that they are, but the Conservatives insist they are not)

Cllr Barry Aspinell, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:

"I am keen to see this facility restored, but the whole thing is an ill-thought out shambles."

The debate can be watched here.