LOCAL Councillors have been told that the electronic gates protecting sheltered housing complexes in their wards are under threat of removal.
The gates, currently protecting elderly residents, need to be updated or replaced but due to the cost, Conservative led Thurrock Council have told ward Councillors they want them removed instead.
In recent calls, they were told the proposals to remove the key security measures for some of the most vulnerable residents in Thurrock was due to lack of money.
Councillor Victoria Holloway, whose residents are affected by the proposals at Rookery Court, West Thurrock, said “I’m truly appalled that the Tories would even think about removing security from our older people, let alone taking proposals forward.
“Crime and anti-social behaviour is still a real issue in Thurrock. It causes residents a great deal of anxiety and these gates prevent some of these worries. This is absolutely unacceptable and I’ve said clearly that gates should be repaired and maintained.”
Labour’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Lynn Worrall said “The Tories are at it again. The mere suggestion this should happen is out of order. We are responsible for protecting older people not removing their security”
“We have raised concerns about the management of the council finances and the fact this is happening due to a lack of money is extremely worrying. Security of our older residents should be an absolute priority and I am calling on the Tories running Thurrock Council to scrap these plans before they go any further.”
I am assuming the gates are no longer fit for purpose and that their efficiency has been deteriorating over a considerable period of time. I am not aware that any Councillor, Conservative, Labour, Thurrock Independent, or other, has recently raised this issue as a cause of concern.
I am disappointed that Cllrs Worrall and Holloway are trying to score political points. A case of complaining about the gate after the horse has bolted.
Just a few weeks ago Cllr Hebb, strongly supported by all Conservative Councillors, was robustly defending the Council’s “billion pound investment policy”. He claimed that borrowing large amounts of money and investing .“wisely” enabled the Council to provide services it would not otherwise be able to afford.
If the Council can afford £10 million for the building of new Council premises then surely it can afford to provide replacement security gates for sheltered housing complexes? Security should never be sacrificed, whether it be in your home, sheltered housing complexes or residential homes.
I am not entirely opposed to the building of new Council offices, however, if it means other services become “unaffordable” then serious prioritising must prevail.
Come on the Conservative run Council, make our day, assure us you can afford both!