Addressing Housing, Community Issues, and the Future of Bishops Hill Site

Your Liberal Democrat Councillors recently explored key topics during the latest Housing, Health & Community meeting. Here’s a summary of the discussion.

One significant item was the proposal to designate the Bishops Hill ACL Centre as an Asset of Community Value. Liberal Democrat committee members raised concerns about Essex County Council's management of the site's closure, highlighting issues with communication and potential future uses.

Councillor David Kendall (Brentwood West) gave a frank and critical commentary on how he felt Essex County Council had managed the site’s closure, especially its leadership.

At the same time, Councillor Ben Rigby represented the concerns of Hutton East residents. The committee unanimously approved the move to classify the site as an Asset of Community Value.

Housing was another major topic of discussion. Attendees received detailed updates on compliance and repairs, maintenance service updates, housing policy reviews, and an overview of the Annual Report on Formal Complaints in Housing Services.

Residents in Ingatestone will be pleased to know that Councillor Darryl Sankey spoke out regarding plans to modify the Strategic Housing Development Plan (SHDP). 

This discussion included the SHDP Options Paper, which outlines renovations and redevelopment on key Council housing sites in Brentwood, including Pilgrims Hatch, on which Councillor Vicky Davies and Councillor Barry Aspinell have been present.

These proposals will be forwarded to the Planning Committee for consideration.

Everyone Active, our joint leisure operators with Rochford District Council, provided a presentation on the progress of our Leisure Contract.

The committee also reviewed the Council's Community Safety Partnership Plan for 2025/26.

Lastly, the Council initiated a Community Governance Review and outlined Its Terms of Reference. This review will consider the potential addition of parish councils to Brentwood’s unparished areas, particularly in light of the upcoming local government reorganisation. 

This would be contingent upon interest from those areas, with potential benefits including neighbourhood plans, planning revenues, and parish precepts.

Councillor Ben Rigby discussed how residents in his ward could benefit from enhanced services to improve Hutton's community experience. This could resemble the advantages Billericay Town Council and Mountnessing Village Council enjoy.

Your Liberal Democrat committee members are Vicky Davies, David Kendall, Darryl Sankey, and Mark Haigh. 

For detailed information and updates on local governance, please visit the Brentwood Borough Council website.

Your voice matters in shaping our community !