A TRIO of politicians have been branded Scrooges after questioning Brentwood Borough Council's decision to award nearly £55,000 to good causes just two weeks before Christmas.
Tory councillors Will Russell, Ann Coe and Roger McCheyne came under fire this week after they asked the council's overview and scrutiny committee to "call in" the decision to distribute £54,745 to 25 community groups, including radio station Phoenix FM and the Warley-based trampoline club Recoil Twisters.
The decision was taken by the authority's asset, infrastructure and localism panel on November 21. However, the trio who have asked for the call-in contend that it was made without observing due process and with "inadequate or insufficient consultation".
It is now unclear when, or even if, the good causes will receive the money they have been awarded.
Panel chairman Russell Quirk criticised his Tory colleagues for what he described as a "blatant act of sabotage".
He said: "These causes have now been caught up in a despicable sabotage attempt in order to settle a petty score against me because of my stance on the William Hunter Way farce.
"Cllrs Will Russell, Roger McCheyne and Ann Coe should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. They are elected by the Brentwood public to stand up for those people and good causes, not to act against the best interests of their own community.
"At this time of year, such a disgraceful snipe is more worthy of Christmas sneer than Christmas cheer."
Mr Quirk said it was "ridiculous" to assert that the correct process was not followed before adding: "The dictionary definition of Ebenezer Scrooge is that of a miserly protagonist. Enough said I think."
Cllr Russell told the Gazette he had asked for the call-in after being approached by one of the community groups that had been unsuccessful in its funding bid.
He declined to name the group but said: "They had concerns that one of the groups had got ahead of them even though they had not necessarily met the criteria.
"I asked him to send me his application form to have a look and I thought maybe they did get overlooked.
"There is doubt there and it needs to be cleared up.
"I can live with Russell giving me grief but I can't live with my conscience."
He added: "This whole thing has been blown out of all proportion and when people start going around and saying to these groups 'you aren't going to get your money' that is outrageous."
Cllr Coe, who is currently the mayor, said: "If there is any concern about decisions that are made then we need to have a call-in.
"That is what the overview and scrutiny committee is for."
Meanwhile Cllr McCheyne added: "We have got to have a proper meeting about it."
The overview and scrutiny committee was due to discuss the funding decisions at the town hall last night (Tuesday) after the Gazette went to press.
