Cllr Vicky Davies, Liberal Democrat Housing Lead, asked the Conservative administration whether the housing stock for Brentwood was safe in their hands at Tuesday's budget setting meeting but, unsurprisingly, failed to get a reassuring answer.
Just 6p per week on your Council Tax bill would pay for a safer Brentwood by giving the Borough its own Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator and an additional mobile CCTV camera. These measures would have helped residents combat the rise in burglaries and instances of anti social behaviour but were dismissed out of hand by the Tories at the recent budget setting meeting. Cllr David Kendall, Lib Dem leader said: "The Tories were so hell bent on getting their headline about a freeze in the Council tax but by doing so have voted against one of the main concerns of the residents we regularly speak to." "They have fooled themselves that all people want is a "clean green borough" but we know people would also like to live in a safer environment with less break-ins and a decrease in anti social behaviour. "Sadly, but not in the least bit suprisingly, they voted against our crime prevention proposals to ensure their headline won the day. "Whilst council tax freezes may be great short term gimmicks more and more people ar
The hunger for a good headline has seen the Tories running Brentwood Council set a budget that will see the council make a £477K dent in the council's reserves, increase rents for council tenants and cut staffing even further, risking the ability to offer the services people need and hitting the poorest and most vulnerable members of our community.
Over the years, Liberal Democrat councillors have strongly criticised the Tory administration for their flawed consultations. In recent weeks, it has come to light that the Tory vision for Brentwood known as "the corporate plan" is based on responses from 14 residents.
Despite the frustrations of dealing with Tory-controlled Essex, County Cllr David Kendall has been successful in getting pothole repairs and a refresh of road markings at the roundabout by Laura Ashley, at the junction of Western Road and Weald Road.
