Braintree Council's new £100m investment scheme is "unbalanced" and does not consider the basic needs of residents, it is claimed.

Silver End councillor James Abbott has criticised the authority's plan to invest in a number of schemes around the district in order to become fully independent by 2020.

More than £100m will be spent on projects such as a new business park in Great Notley, the regeneration of Manor Street in Braintree and a new health centre in Sible Hedingham.

Many district councillors endorsed leader Graham Butland's motion to back Braintree Council's plan during a meeting on Monday.

Mr Abbott did acknowledge he liked aspects of the investment scheme, but questioned whether it would benefit everyone in the district and questioned why plans for a new health centre in Witham were not moving forward.

He said: "This sort of self congratulatory motion is just the kind of thing that we see at county hall and it’s unbalanced. It doesn’t recognise many of the difficulties we have.

"On health, yes Braintree is getting lots of investment but what about Witham?

"Where is the Witham health clinic we were promised? There were grand announcements, local MP’s saying it’s coming but its not, there is no sign of it.

"We know some of the GP’s don’t want to go into it. Witham is the second largest town in the district and many people in Witham feel they are second to Braintree."

He added: "Whilst we have these grand announcements, the basics are often neglected.

"There is a lot in here that I can support, but I don’t think it’s a balanced motion. I don’t think it reflects the reality of people’s everyday lives."