In a letter addressed to Cllr Peter Harris, Leader of Essex County Council, Cllr Cunningham expressed a strong belief in the necessity of robust reports and consultation for policy determination, stating, "You have stated you would not 'hide behind statistics'." He reiterated his question regarding the evidence base for Operation Vanguard, noting its apparent implementation without prior consultation with local authorities, Essex Police, or the Home Office.
Cllr Cunningham also voiced disappointment over the lack of response to previous inquiries concerning a comment made by Cllr Russell Quirk, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council, who allegedly made unsubstantiated claims about Braintree District Council's use of a Home Office grant for the Wethersfield site. The council leader has now asked for a second explanation regarding these statements.
Further addressing the Wethersfield site, Cllr Cunningham welcomed the initiative announced on 3 July to establish a Task and Finish Working Group focused on reducing transport journeys. He confirmed Braintree District Council's participation in the Home Office's transport service review, aimed at reducing travel demand into Chelmsford, Colchester, and Braintree, but noted a lack of further communication regarding the working group.
He wholeheartedly agreed with Cllr Harris that the safety and wellbeing of Essex residents are paramount, emphasising that collaboration yields the best results. Cllr Cunningham highlighted existing multi-agency initiatives and partnership work between the councils, expressing hope for a resumed collaborative approach to community safety matters. Braintree District Council remains committed to working towards a calm resolution of the RAF Wethersfield issue and the site's closure, aiming to keep communities together.
