The Scrutiny, Performance and Standards Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss food retail provision in the borough. As part of their remit to scrutinise decisions, performance, and standards across all council functions, the committee will hear from a representative of Sainsbury's. The committee will also discuss standards of conduct within the council.

Food Retail Provision in the Borough

The committee is scheduled to discuss the provision of large food retailers in the borough, following concerns from residents and councillors that there is only one large food retailer, Sainsbury's.

As part of a review started in 2024, the committee sent a letter to Sainsbury's in September 2024, asking about the performance of the Brentwood store, plans for the future, how the business is responding to climate change, and their relationship with Brentwood Connected, the town centre BID¹. According to the report pack, no formal response was received, although there was some email correspondence about the refurbishment of lifts and other parts of the store.

The review concluded in January 2025 with recommendations that:

• a new analysis of the retail sector be completed for the borough to support policies and allocations in the new Local Plan
• if a need for additional retail floorspace is shown, the council should consider suitable sites in and adjacent to the town centre
• the council reiterate its desire to work with Sainsbury's, as well as sharing the concerns of residents, by writing to the store manager.

The committee followed up with a letter to Sainsbury's, welcoming the store's contribution to the town centre and wider economy, but noting concerns about the physical appearance and upkeep of the store, the noise of delivery vehicles, and opportunities for community use of the space left vacant by the café.

The store manager was invited to attend the meeting.

The committee is scheduled to note the report and consider the responses provided by the retail representative at the meeting.

The report pack notes that good management of the Sainsbury's store and the space around it is a positive for the residents of the borough. It also notes that a new large-scale retail (grocery store) could lead to increased car use, but that an alternate store that linked better to other parts of the borough could reduce journey times and congestion to one central store.

Committee Terms of Reference

The committee is scheduled to review its terms of reference, which include:

• Scrutiny of decisions, performance, and standards across all council functions
• Scrutiny of any area beyond the council's direct influence that impacts the Borough of Brentwood, its residents, businesses and organisations
• Scrutinise the wider work of public sector partners
• Maintenance of Standards within the Council.

Key responsibilities include:

• Review/scrutinise decisions or actions taken in connection with any council function
• Calling in of decisions in line with approved processes
• Make reports/recommendations to Full Council or committees
• Monitor council's overall performance against indicators
• Maintain high standards of probity via Standards Sub-Committee
• Monitor strategic/operational risk, anti-fraud arrangements
• Scrutiny of partnerships and joint scrutiny with Rochford District Council
• Complaints handling and Ombudsman investigations not otherwise covered
• Pre-scrutiny of key budget assumptions and estimates ahead of Budget presentation to Full Council, but not the overall budget process or final recommendations
• Review of Council Motions annually
• Standards Sub-Committee: Consider standards complaints, conduct hearings, recommend sanctions, interview panel for Independent Persons.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests², other registerable interests, or non-registerable interests.