Liberal Democrats insist £1 billion Highways contract must be properly scrutinised

Brentwood Liberal Democrats have added their voices to a call by the Essex Liberal Democrat Group to call in the County Council’s decision to proceed with the procurement of a new £1 billion highways contract, citing serious concerns about transparency and public accountability.

At the Cabinet meeting on 16 October 2025, Conservative leaders approved plans to go out to tender for a seven-year contract for highway maintenance and improvement works across Essex, with an expected start date of 2027.

Liberal Democrat councillors, including Councillor Barry Aspinell (Brentwood North), have now triggered a formal call-in of the decision to the Place Services and Economic Growth Policy and Scrutiny Committee.

Cllr Mike Mackrory, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: “It is staggering that a contract of this scale and importance has gone forward with such minimal public scrutiny. We’re talking about £1 billion plus of taxpayer money and a service that touches every resident. The highways network is the single biggest concern for residents across Essex, yet this decision has been handled largely behind closed doors.”

Cllr James Newport, a Rochford Liberal Democrat Councillor supporting the call-in, added:

“Over 80 per cent of the enquiries we receive as councillors relate to highway issues. Remarkably, the Conservatives felt they could go to market for a contract of this magnitude without a complete and open discussion. Residents expect transparency and accountability, not decisions made in private briefings.”

The Liberal Democrats are pressing for detailed scrutiny of the contract’s terms, the evaluation process, and the proposed “Intelligent Client Team” model that would oversee delivery. They argue that the long-term nature of the contract and its estimated annual spend of up to £135 million demand open examination by councillors and the public alike.

Councillor David Kendall, who represented the Brentwood South division for many years, supported the call-in.

 “Brentwood’s potholed roads are in direct need of repairs, and local government reorganisation will give our proposed new unitary the power to start fixing them. With a decision expected by March, this is an attempt by Essex County Council to dictate terms to every council in Essex as it faces abolition. I agree that the contract and its operation require scrutiny. Having waited for a decade for Essex to fix Brentwood’s crumbling High Street, we deserve the right to see if this deal is good for residents.”

The call-in will now be reviewed by the Place Services and Economic Growth Policy and Scrutiny Committee, which will decide whether to uphold the Cabinet’s decision or refer it back for reconsideration.