A former councillor has hit out after it emerged a community hall was sold off for just £80,000.

Richmond Hall, in Benfleet, was taken over by the Thundersley Brass Band last year, which has since spent almost £150,000 on refurbishing it.

Norman Smith, Castle Point councillor responsible for regeneration and economic development, is a trustee of the band and is named on the deeds for the property held by the Land Registry.

Former Benfleet Labour councillor Brian Wilson said: “I have no doubt Mr Smith complied with all the requirements of “declaration of interest”, however I do find that it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, that a prized asset should be disposed of for such a small price to an insider.

“I’m not in favour of disposing of council assets that have taken years to build up.

“The trend to sell off assets and privatise services, combined with increases in pay and allowances, means councillors and officers are getting paid more for doing less.”

The hall is one of four council properties to be handed over to outside organisations, either through sale or lease agreements, in the last five years.

According to the Land Registry, Tewkes Creek Pavilion in Dovervelt Road, which is used as a nursery, was sold to NSS Consultants for £400,000 in 2006.

Small Gains Hall, on Canvey, was sold to Island Boys and Girls Football Club, of which opposition councillor Peter May is vice chairman.

Hadleigh Hall was leased to an organisation called Sovereign Leisure Services for 99 years from November 30, 2005. Sovereign and Island Boys and Girls refused to say how much was paid for the properties and Castle Point Council declined to disclose any figures without the purchasers’ permission.

Andrew Roby Smith, the council’s chief legal officer, said: “All halls sold by the council, save for Tewkes Creek Pavilion, which had a separate commercial use as a nursery school, have been sold subject to conditions that they remain available for public hire.

“The council is proud with its achievements in reducing the upkeep and maintenance costs of these buildings, while also ensuring they remain open and available for use by the wider community.”

Former Castle Point MP Bob Spink referred the sale of Richmond Hall to the Audit Commission.

PKF accountants and business advisors investigated the sale on behalf of the commission and said they had been sold at market value and the transaction was all above board.