THURROCK COUNCIL’S chief executive has stepped into the row over a Tory councillor’s “Gypsy cesspit” remarks by holding a meeting with traveller representatives.
Graham Farrant visited the Buckles Lane site on Friday evening and according to reports spoke to the newly formed Buckles Lane Association as well as listened to their concerns over the comments made by councillor Mark Coxshall.
YT understands that political advisers had urged Mr Farrant to be cautious on this issue. Cllr Coxshall has been very vocal and public in holding the chief executive to account on a number of matters.
Thurrock Council has taken steps to distance themselves from the remarks as well as confirm where they are with the investigation.
A spokesperson said: “These were comments written in a political press release issued by the opposition group on the council. The comments in no way reflect the policy or position of the council as a whole.
“Thurrock Council has received complaints about the release and is investigating them as a matter of urgency.”
The Irish Traveller Movement in Britain has told YT that they had received acknowledgment of their complaint from Thurrock Council.
The Conservative leader, cllr Phil Anderson is on annual leave.
YT understands that political advisers had urged Mr Farrant to be cautious on this issue.
Would it be political advisers like Mark Coxshall who is political adviser to Jackie Doyle Price MP. If I understand this correctly the Chief Executive Mr Farrant is the chief executive officer and is supposedly nonpolitical, so why would he be urged by political advisers in this matter.
What has occurred in this matter, is definitely not political, certain members and a press officer have compiled and released racially motivated material from the Civic offices, which I believe is a police matter , if this matter is not furthered by the police then Thurrock Council we have a great deal of difficulty in prosecuting anybody in Thurrock for racial abuse, because if there is no resulting action, that leaves the door open for anybody to say anything to anyone at any time without fear of consequences, and people who have been convicted of racial abuse would certainly have an easy time appealing on those grounds
Did Mr Farrant visit the legal or illegal site, those with planning permission or the bulk of the travellers that ignore planning rules ?
Shame on you…….
Good point blacksnot are you suggested Thurrock Council let people ignore planning rules especially people who make donations to Thurrock’s Tory Association,or are we talking about those kind of rules, or are we talking about under enforcement concerning people who donate to the Thurrock Tory Association or are we just confining this comment to people and companies who don’t make donations to Thurrock Tory Association
Hotpress are you suggesting that the original press release was issued by a paid council employee? Do tell more…
Blackshots53 – there are already 18 unauthorised Traveller/Gypsy pitches built without planning permission in Thurrock that Thurrock Council voted to ‘regularise’ in the Borough’s Local Development Plan. Thurrock Council sat on their collective hands and did nothing for decades.
As for Buckles Lane (do look it up on Google Earth) – its history and lack of planning consent makes very interesting reading.
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