A cross-party group of Thurrock councillors have given their support to a proposal to allow community groups to take on some of the services traditionally provided by the council’s hard-pressed environment department.
Tuesday (28 July) evening’s meeting of the Cleaner, Greener, Safer, Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to ask Cabinet to authorise officers to enter into detailed negotiations with groups who have expressed an interest in developing community-based services.
The council’s head of environment, Mike Heath, explained that tightening budgets meant the department had been forced to cut back in some areas and that it had been approached by some community groups wishing to help.
And a report to the committee said that while “there has been an increase in the number of complaints through the media (print and social), an increasing number of individuals and community organisations have approached the council to discuss how they can make a difference at a local level”.
Mr Heath said the council had been working with a group in Stanford-le-Hope in providing Christmas lighting and helping them provide hanging baskets and bedding in the town.
He said, in Grays the Lightship Caf̩ have expressed an interest in running the caf̩ at Grays Beach and possibly running the beach itself, and the Friends of Hardie Park Рagain in Stanford Рhad wanted to take over the running of the park and to expand the range of opportunities and facilities available there.
Mr Heath explained that by working in partnership with groups, proper public liability insurances could be ensured and the council could provide help with equipment, personnel or dealing with specific difficult issues when necessary while allowing the council to concentrate on its key responsibilities.
Committee chair, Cllr Roy Jones, said afterwards: “The committee and I were impressed with what Mike Heath said and what the department is doing.
“Councils can no longer do it all, the financial situation has seen to that.
“It is good community groups are coming forward in this way and that the department is working to help them.
“I know about the Hardie Park situation quite well and they’ve done some really good work with the support of Mike and his team.”
