BRENTWOOD and Ongar MP, Eric Pickles, has questioned council plans to launch a newsletter for residents.

Brentwood Borough Council intends to spend about £10,000 a year producing and distributing a “Borough Bulletin” to “promote council services and inform residents of big, upcoming decisions”.

In his role as Secretary of State for Local Government and Communities, Mr Pickles, pictured, said he would ban any council freesheets which published propaganda.

Commenting on the Brentwood plan, he said: “I have seen quite a few of these around the country. With a few notable exceptions, they tend to be vanity publications dressed up as public information.

“It is for the council to justify this use of public money. As a Brentwood council tax payer, I have my doubts whether this is sensible.”

But William Lloyd, the council’s deputy leader, said: “I think it’s vital residents are updated on things that matter to them.

“It will be independent and unbiased.”