A PARISH councillor has resigned after a parish council announced it is spending a whopping £20,000 on refurbishing its garden.

Jackie Lester left the role she has been involved with for 12 years after stating Myland Community Council has its priorities wrong.

The council has confirmed the works are soon to start which will repair the pathways, driveway, patio and back garden at its base in Nayland Road, Colchester.

Mrs Lester, who was part of the steering group which founded the council, said it made her “so angry” money would be spent on this project and not put towards helping struggling families.

However, the council has hit back saying it has a responsibility to maintain the base and keep it safe for visitors.

“I just can’t understand it,” said the former councillor. “There is a foodbank in Myland and all the resources and equipment it needs would easily be covered by this huge sum of money.

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“The project was announced in the Mylander magazine but the council didn’t state how much it is going to cost. The people of Myland deserve to know.

“If we were a community of wealth then fine, but there are so many people here struggling.

“I was so angry they could decide to spend this money which comes from the wonderful people of Myland without asking or warning them.

“This is not the council’s money and people deserve to know.”

The council’s chairwoman, Alison Jay, said: “The bungalow has been the Myland Community Council office for approximately 15 years and, as such, is a community asset the council has a responsibility to maintain.

“It has a front and back garden and a side driveway which is hazardous in places.

“It is the council’s wish to make greater use of the bungalow for resident attendance and, as a consequence, health and safety must be a prime concern.”

She added the property is being made suitable for greater use, including a collection point for recycling and a high quality storage shed is being constructed.