Author: brentwoodandongarlabour

Since retiring from her job as a teacher, Labour Party candidate for  Hutton East Sue Kortlandt has been active in the local community, volunteering with Citizens Advice and most recently, starting as Covid struck, with Brentwood Mutual Aid.

Now, though, after campaigning on issues such as mobile phone coverage  and the climate emergency, she is seeking to get closer to the centre of decision-making as a councillor.

“I will aim to be a voice for local residents in raising any concerns they have, whether over inappropriate development, too little social or affordable housing, the loss of green spaces or historic buildings and putting pressure on Essex County Council over the woeful state of public transport. I believe that Brentwood Borough Council currently seems pre-occupied on bringing in income, rather than delivering value for money, which needs to change.”

“I believe a councillor’s first priority is improving the life of local residents and delivering services that will make a difference. Therefore, as the council makes efforts to balance the books in the light of continued funding cuts, it should focus heavily on maintaining the services and activities that really matter to the people of Brentwood. This means identifying the best of what the council can do, rather than cutting services without consideration.”

Sue knows that, if elected on May 4, she will probably be in opposition.

“But then that’s OK, because there needs to be an opposition in a democracy.”

Hutton resident Noor Hussain says: 

“Susan is passionate about making a difference for Hutton East. We need her representing us at the Council and helping to bring the change across Brentwood we all need.”

Dr Tim Barrett is seeking re-election as a Labour Party councillor for Brentwood South, pledging to ensure that there is always an effective opposition on Brentwood Borough Council, challenging the administration and making the case for value for money from the Council.

Dr Barrett, who has served as a Councillor for Brentwood South since 2019 and is the Leader of the Labour Group on the council, says that despite being in opposition, he has successfully delivered real change for local residents including setting the first Borough-wide target for achieving carbon net zero, making the Council deliver affordable and social housing in its developments, and new approaches to support the future of the Brentwood Centre.

Tim said:

“I have supported residents on everything from housing issues to flytipping, anti-social behaviour to planning problems.

This has occasionally been challenging but always rewarding.

I will continue to be a voice for local residents in raising the concerns they have over inappropriate development in Brentwood South.”

Dr Barrett says that the council currently seems focused on bringing in income, rather than delivering value for money.

Tim added:

“This needs to change. I believe a councillor’s first priority is improving the life of local residents and delivering services that will make a difference. Therefore, as the council makes efforts to balance the books in light of continued funding cuts, it should focus heavily on maintaining the services and activities that really matter to the people of Brentwood. This means reflecting the best of what the council can do, rather than cutting services without consideration.”

Dr Barrett grew up in Brentwood, attending St Peter’s School in South Weald and what was then the Hedley Walter High School. At Imperial College London he completed an MSc and PhD in Organic and Medicinal Chemistry. He volunteers with the Scouts, and commutes daily, working in scientific research for the discovery and development of cancer treatments for a major pharmaceutical company.

Ingrave Road resident Richard Carter said:

“Tim has been a great local councillor and always engaged in the issues that affect our community. With the challenges ahead for Brentwood, we need him back as our local Councillor.”

The Labour Party is to put up candidates in every seat on Brentwood Borough Council to be contested on May 4.

It will also stand in the four wards on Epping Forest District Council that fall within the Brentwood and Ongar constituency and is also putting up two candidates for Ongar Town Council

The party has selected candidates for the 12 Brentwood wards where elections were due to be held – and for an unscheduled vacancy in South Weald following the sudden resignation of a sitting Conservative councillor.

Two of Brentwood’s candidates are aged under 20.

Richard Millwood, chair of Brentwood and Ongar Constituency Labour Party, said:

“It is important to us that every Labour member and supporter in every ward has the opportunity to cast their vote for the party of their choice and to help secure the changes that are so vitally needed after the years of stagnation under the Conservatives.

“As the squeeze on living standards continues to cause real hardship for many residents and the Conservative administration shows no signs of providing proper leadership, the Labour Party, which was runner-up in the past two General Elections, is the only political force with developed alternative policies for the people of Brentwood and Ongar.”

This May’s election will be the first for which voter identification will be required.

“If you do not have a driving licence, passport or senior bus pass with your photograph, or the new Voter Authority Certificate, you will be unable to vote,”

Mr Millwood said.

“Eighteen-year-olds voting for the first time in these elections need to be aware of this new requirement.”

Applications for the Voter Authority Certificate must be received by Brentwood Borough Council by April 27 – six working days before the election.

“We would urge voters not to leave their application until the last minute, or to apply for a postal vote,”

Mr Millwood said.  

Notes to Editors:

1. The 12 Brentwood wards where elections were scheduled are: Brentwood North; Brentwood South; Brentwood West; Brizes and Doddinghurst; Herongate, Ingrave and West Horndon; Hutton East; Hutton North; Ingatestone, Fryerning and Mountnessing; Pilgrims Hatch; Shenfield; Tipps Cross; and Warley.
2. The four Epping Forest District Council wards are: Chipping Ongar, Greensted and Marden Ash; Lambourne; North Weald Bassett; and Shelley.
3. A list of candidates is attached.
4. Postal vote applications must be received 11 days before the election.