AN ACTION day to clear up the area around the Hutton Community Centre has been shot down as a PR stunt for the Tories.
There has also been renewed concern about the amount of money being invested into refurbishing the Harrison Close venue with the intention of opening it up to community groups.
The project has already seen several spats in and outside the chamber with claims that taxpayers' money is being used for a Tory party vanity project in Hutton.
The council has already wrestled back the site from the former tenant of the centre built by public subscription in the 1970s, Hutton Community Association, after it had not paid ground rent since March 2012.
Some have shown surprise that the leader of Brentwood Borough Council, Louise McKinlay, has found £165,000 of public money for this project in her own ward when services have been cut.
More than 30 volunteers turned out on Saturday morning for an action day at the Hutton Community Centre which was cleared of debris and broken equipment, and overgrowing weeds.
Mrs McKinlay who represents the Hutton North ward said: "The morning was great and I would like to thank all those who gave up their free time to help.
"It's made a real difference."
But there has been concern that not enough oversight is being placed on the project.
Councillor Mike Le Surf said: "It just seems like a PR stunt for the Hutton Tories to try to promote what a great project it is."
