Brentwood Liberal Democrats

23/08/2026

One of the issues we have raised with the cabinet member responsible for libraries, Councillor Chris Hossack, is the change from PressReader to Borrowbox, facilities that allow free online access to a range of titles. But, whereas there are 7,000 titles available on PressReader, there are just 1,822 on Borrowbox. Major titles such as the Economist are no longer available.

However, it's not just the diminished choice, many of us have also found that Borrowbox is much more difficult to use.

What is your experience? Please let us know below.

23/08/2026

Liberalism seems to be going through an identity crisis. Within a few months, three very different thinkers have published books asking the same question: what has happened to Liberalism, and what would make it relevant again? Adrian Wooldridge has given us Centrists of the World Unite!, David Howar...

21/08/2026

Results day, be they for A-Levels or GCSE's, T-Levels or BTEC, isn’t only about envelopes – it’s about people.

Every student, every family, every teacher deserves to feel celebrated, supported and seen. And every student should end today knowing they can shape a bright future.

Whether you are at St Martin’s or Brentwood School, County High or the Anglo-European, Becket Keys or outside the Borough, we know your results don’t define your worth.

Whether successful or not, ensure you leave with clarity on your next steps. Listen to parents and teachers who are ready to guide and reassure.

You have a whole world open to you: Sixth Form, College, Apprenticeship and careers, from the City to catering, soldiering to scaffolding.

We thank our residents, the parents who helped make it happen, the successful students, and the teachers who make a difference every single day.

Enjoy your weekend 🙂

21/08/2026

National Trust’s Holnicote estate says restored wetlands and rivers offer proof of resilience to drought, wildfires and flooding

21/08/2026

With the much-needed rain yet to arrive, Councillor Ben Rigby returned to Havering's Grove to water the fruit orchard. Hopefully the trees will enjoy some respite soon, but some may, unfortunately, not recover. Our worst drought since 1976 continues. As does our commitment to tackling the climate emergency. 🔶️

21/08/2026

20/08/2026

What services would you like Brentwood Borough Council to spend more, less or the same on?

Do you think Brentwood Borough Council should spend more, less or the same on community safety and enforcement? Is the Council delivering initiatives that create a cleaner and greener Borough important to you?

Do you agree or disagree that we should build more affordable homes and invest in homes in the private rental market?

These are some of the questions the council is asking residents and businesses in its Budget and Corporate Priorities survey before it sets its 2027/28 budget.

Every year Brentwood Council must agree a budget that balances the money it spends on services with the money it has available to us. The council gets all its income from council tax, business rates, money it can raise itself and specific grants it can bid for.

Councillor David Kendall, who chairs the Council's finance committee, said: “In setting our budget, we must balance our income with our spending by either increasing income or reducing our spending. And this is what we want your views on. "

"Local Government Reorganisation may be on the horizon, but we still need to make decisions on the council’s finances and deliver services.

“Just 10% of the Council Tax you pay every year comes to Brentwood Borough Council, so to help us make the right decisions, we want to make sure that the priorities of the Council align with those of our residents.”

To have your say in our Council Priorities and Budget Survey, visit www.brentwood.gov.uk/budgetsurvey

Alternatively, if you don’t have internet access, paper copies of the survey are available at the council’s reception in the Town Hall on Ingrave Road.

Feedback from the survey will be used by councillors as part of the budget planning process as they set the council budget and council tax for 2027/28. The survey closes on Tuesday 8 September 2026.

20/08/2026

While the forecast is set for a dose of much-needed rain, things are definitely nowhere near enough to say the drought has come to an end. 🙄

With little rain forecast for the coming weeks, that’s not likely to change any time soon. 🏜️

Please continue to use your common sense, and avoid activities with a high risk of fire. 🚫

🫸 No disposable barbecues

🫸 No bonfires

🫸 No fireworks

🫸 No thrown ci******es or ci**rs (please dispose of these responsibly)

Please also continue to observe the hosepipe ban and consider ways to save water. 🙏

20/08/2026

Councillor Ben Rigby (LD - Hutton East) congratulates both Snap Charity and Hutton FC on this new partnership.

Having visited the charity with the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce earlier in the year, he said: "This is great news for our community, at a time when Hutton FC is strengthening relationships in both Shenfield and Hutton.

"I wish all concerned the very best of luck with this for the season to come."

SNAP and Hutton Football Club join forces to Support Local Families and Champion Inclusion Across Essex.
New collaboration will harness the power of football to bring people together, raise vital funds and awareness for SNAP, enhance wellbeing and create meaningful opportunities for children and families.
The initiative will combine Hutton FC's strong community presence with SNAP's expertise in supporting families to deliver inclusive opportunities that help children thrive, strengthen local networks and create lasting positive impact across Essex.

Essex County FA
Brentwood Borough Council
Find Your Active - Brentwood

20/08/2026

BRENTWOOD, ITS TIME TO CAST YOUR VOTE!

We are now accepting nominations for your favourite business in Brentwood!
This could be your hairdresser, fitness coach, plumber, electrician, tree surgeon, a supplier you use as a business yourself, even your favourite local coffee shop.

The business must be based in Brentwood, Shenfield or Ingatestone.

The top 3 businesses with the most votes will be interviewed by the Sponsor to decide the winner!

Go! Go! Go!

https://tinyurl.com/BrentwoodPeoplesChoice

Category Sponsor
Headline Sponsor
Media Partner