At Brentwood Council meeting on Wednesday July 28th, the local Tories confirmed an on-going policy of austerity. In particular, it was confirmed that the 50/50 sharing of Brentwood Council's chief executive with Rochford council is, in fact, a cost-cutting measure. It is also understood that Brentwood Council's senior management team will also be involved in this scheme. A Tory spokesman also confirmed last night that there will be accompanying staff reductions at Brentwood Council. In addition to the provision of a heavy load of day-to-day services, Brentwood Council also has a significant number of complex issues to deal with including the local development plan, the development of the Bay Tree Centre and various other difficult issues. Brentwood has seen a very significant reduction in the quality and quantity of its services in past years under Tory control. Brentwood cannot afford further reductions but this seems to be the policy of our local Tories. If this issue of running Brentwood into the ground ma