Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Assets, Projects and Strategy Committee meeting on 17 September 2025. The agenda included updates on the Brentwood Centre redevelopment, a review of the Asset Management Strategy, and a proposal for the disposal of the Westbury Road Car Park. The committee was also scheduled to discuss data protection policies and community asset transfers.

Westbury Road Disposal

The committee was to consider a report regarding the potential disposal of the Westbury Road Car Park, a disused, tarmacked car park located on the western edge of Brentwood town centre.

The report noted that the council had previously held the site via an option in a Joint Venture with Muse and SAIL, with planning permission obtained in June 2023 for a scheme of 45 residential units. With the Joint Venture now unwound, the council was to consider options for the vacant site.

The report in the agenda pack stated that an external review considered several options for the site, including:

• Disposing of the site
• Building out the site as per the planning consent
• Reopening the site as a car park
• Exploring alternative commercial options
• Retirement Living
• A site that could have offices built on it.

According to the report, the review concluded that the most favourable option was to dispose of the site on a freehold basis for private residential development. The report argued that this approach offered the highest potential capital receipt and avoided the financial and development risks associated with direct development by the council.

The report also noted concerns about land banking (where a purchaser may not develop the site promptly). To mitigate this risk, the report suggested including a buy-back or covenant clause in the sale agreement, allowing the council to repurchase the land if development did not commence within a specified timeframe. However, the report also cautioned that imposing restrictions could reduce the site's market value.

The committee was asked to formally declare the car park as surplus to the council's operational requirements and approve its disposal on the open market. The committee was also asked to delegate authority to the Director of Assets and Investments, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer¹ and Chair of the Assets, Projects and Strategy Committee, to undertake a marketing process for the freehold disposal and enter into an agreement for sale.

Brentwood Centre Redevelopment

The committee was to consider a report outlining the proposed master planning and phased redevelopment of the Brentwood Centre site. The proposals included a partial replacement of the main leisure building, installation of three 3G football pitches² with supporting ancillary facilities, and car park reconfiguration.

The report stated that the project aimed to enhance community health, accessibility, sustainability, and economic growth, while aligning with Brentwood Borough Council's strategic ambitions and carbon neutrality goals.

The report recommended delegating authority to the Director of Assets and Investment to undertake master planning for the redevelopment, including awarding contracts to technical advisors and producing a concept scheme with high-level costs and a business case for future approval.

The committee was also asked to approve funding of £1,024,000 from the modernisation fund in the 2025/26 capital programme for refurbishment works to enhance the swimming pool and changing facilities.

Asset Management Strategy & Action Plan

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Asset Management Strategy & Framework 2025-28, which the committee approved on 18 June 2025. The strategy document contains a priority action plan comprising 17 actions related to the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account land and property portfolios. The actions are to be delivered over an 18-month period between June 2025 and December 2026.

The committee was also scheduled to receive updates on various property asset management cases that have been progressed over the past 12 months. Due to the commercial sensitivity of some of these updates, the information was to be contained in an appendix that was exempt from publication.

The committee was asked to approve two new leases at less than best consideration terms, as detailed in the exempt appendix.

Personal Data Retention and Destruction Policy

The committee was to consider a report regarding a new Data Retention and Destruction Policy and Surveillance Camera Policy. These policies would form part of Brentwood Borough Council's data protection policy suite and a key component of the council's Information Governance Framework.

The report stated that the council is working alongside Evalian, a company specialising in data protection, to further develop the council's approach to data protection. This work has included a thorough review of the council's existing data protection policy suite and the production of new and revised policies.

The committee was asked to approve and adopt the Data Retention and Destruction Policy 2025 and the Surveillance Camera Policy 2025.

Community Asset Transfer - Principles & Process

The committee was to consider a report presenting a set of principles and a process related to Community Asset Transfer, to ensure the council has an agreed process for dealing with requests to transfer council assets to other groups and associations.

The report stated that, as a result of Local Government Reorganisation and the potential of expressions of interest being received from organisations such as Parish Councils for the transfer of land and property assets from the council, it is prudent to develop some principles and a process that reflect the transfer of community assets to ensure any applications can be evaluated consistently.

The committee was asked to approve and adopt the principles and process outlined in the report with regards to future applications for Community Asset Transfer, and to agree to consider future reports on any applications for Community Asset Transfer that are received, for decision.

Corporate Compliance Quarterly Update

The committee was scheduled to receive the second quarter update for the 2025-2026 financial year on Corporate Property Compliance. The report was to highlight key areas of achievement and areas where actions are due to be undertaken.

The report focuses on the six main areas of property compliance:

• Gas Safety
• Electrical Safety
• Fire Safety
• Water Hygiene
• Asbestos Management
• LOLER³ Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations

The committee was asked to note the update and actions taken to date.

2025-26 Quarter 1 Performance

The committee was to receive a report informing members of the performance of the council at the end of Quarter 1 2025-26 in relation to the A Thriving and Growing Economy theme as well as the council's ambitions to be a Leading Local Authority, as set out in the council's Corporate Plan, Our Plan, Our Future 2024–2028.

The report was to present the key activities being implemented to deliver the Corporate Plan priority deliverables and corporate projects, along with aligned key performance indicators and formal complaints under the A Thriving and Growing Economy theme and those relevant to this committee for A Leading Local Authority for Quarter 1 2025-26.

The committee was asked to note the Quarter 1 2025-26 Performance Report, which provides an update on progress to date against the Corporate Plan priority deliverables, corporate projects, key performance indicators and formal complaints for the A Thriving and Growing Economy theme and those relevant to this committee for A Leading Local Authority.

Chair's Update

Councillor Gareth Barrett, Deputy Leader of the Council, Chair of Assets, Projects and Strategy Committee, was scheduled to provide an update to members in relation to the areas covered under the Terms of Reference of the Assets, Projects and Strategy Committee.

The update was to include information on:

• The Brentwood Local Plan Update
• The Brentwood Local Heritage List
• National Grid – Norwich to Tilbury Powerline Proposals