Thurrock Labour begins momentous task of rebuilding “shattered” trust

THURROCK Labour Group is set to begin the momentous task of rebuilding “shattered” trust with residents after remarkable wins at Thursday’s elections.

Labour councillors swept the board as residents voiced their anger at a £1.5billion debt, rising council taxes and dwindling services under the Tories.

With national unrest also weighing down on the Conservatives, they lost ten seats and narrowly held on to just one, following the election count at the Backstage Centre in Purfleet. Eight of those seats were won by Labour leaving the party with 27 seats – a five-seat majority.

Tory David Day only just hung on to Orsett, a previously strong Tory seat, winning by 657 Votes to Jack Duffin’s 570. Mr Duffin a former Conservative councillor, stood as an Independent after losing the Tory whip, helping to tip  the Conservative council into no overall control weeks before the election.

Following the triumph for Labour, “delighted” John Kent leader of the group, said residents were eager for change. He said: “It is clear that the bond of trust between Thurrock Council and our communities has been shattered by the events of the past few years.

“The number one priority of my new Labour administration is to rebuild that trust. We will, at all times, put the needs of our residents at the heart of all we do – we will be honest, open and transparent.”

Mr Kent added: “Where the council has been too inward looking, we will reach out. Decision makers will be out in the community, talking to residents and answering questions in a straightforward way.

“For too long, there has been a lack of clarity and accountability around council decisions so, we will make sure that council decisions, budgets and expenditure transparent and easily accessible to our residents.

Everybody understands that Thurrock Council is bankrupt. That must not be allowed to become an excuse for poor services – we will work hard to make sure that basic services are delivered as well as possible.”

Independents are now nipping at the heels of the Conservative Group with nine members, only four less than the Tories.

Five out of nine Independents now work together under the Non-Political Alliance of Independent Councillors.

Following the count, these are the results:

• 27 Labour – held 4, gained 8, lost 0
• 13 Conservative – held 1, gained 0, lost 10
• 9 Independent – held 2, gained 2, lost 0