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.
Cllr Graeme Clark, one of Shenfield's two Lib Dem councillors (elected nine months ago), gives his view on the decision of the council's managing director to remove from view (for four days) the webcast of the controversial Environment Panel that saw the Tories walk out and leave the opposition to conclude the meeting:
Reacting to the formation of "Brentwood First" Cllr David Kendall said:
