CHADWELL St Mary Councillor Sara Muldowney has today raised questions about the sale of land on Cole Avenue, nodded through by the Conservative Cabinet on Wednesday night.
“I was very disappointed that the Conservative Cabinet refused to consult with local residents about the sale of this land.”
“There was a lot of talk in Cabinet on Wednesday about transparency and avoiding the appearance of back room deals going on, yet the Conservatives have rubber stamped this decision with only a few days notice and no consultation with residents and local councillors. It didn’t even make it onto the full council agenda for discussion by all 49 council members.”
“The land opposite Cole Avenue is not an underused building or a site in a bad state of repair requiring costly maintenance. This is farming land which is creating an income for the council every year.”
“Since the Cabinet meeting, local residents have raised concerns with me that this land may be the Flat Ironfield, which was gifted to Thurrock’s children by Mrs Elsie Florence Grover. Thurrock Council is shown as the trustee of this land on the Charity Commission website.”
“I have asked the council for clarification of the land being sold and whether this is indeed Flat Ironsfield, as despite all their talk of transparency, the only details released about this sale have been a picture of a field and a postcode on Cole Avenue.”
“It now looks like the council are not only selling off the silver, but may also be selling off the silver left in trust for Thurrock’s children.”
This is out of order and Councillor Muldowney should take this up with our MP to stop these backroom deals going on because what is in writing about any land not owned by the Council should be consulted with residents.