THERE IS ask old police joke: An officer attends surveillance classes but is pulled to the side by the instructor who says: "I haven’t seen you in class for two weeks" The officer replies: "Thank you very much!"
The demands on the police service in Thurrock and in Essex are immense. There doesn’t seem to be a council meeting that goes by when crime and justice are discussed, whether it is Corringham Police Station, burglaries, Lakeside cruisers, anti-social behaviour. The list is endless.
One of the key meetings is the Essex Police and Crime Panel which is headed by the Essex Police and Crime Commissioner, Nick Alston. Over the past few months and over the coming months, the key matter of budgetary pressures have been and will be discussed.
So, you can imagine the surprise when it was discovered that the lone Thurrock representative, the Thurrock Council portfolio holder for public protection, cllr Phil Smith had not been attending the meetings.
We inquired about his absence and cllr Smith told us that this was due to work commitments. He has also told us that he will also be absent from other meetings due to work commitments.
YT understands that cllr Smith, who is paid a £16,000 allowance, has work commitments.
We did ask, whether in light of his commitments, whether he had considered stepping down. He did not reply.
We put our concerns to the shadow portfolio holder for public protection, cllr Andrew Roast.
Cllr Roast said:
"In general terms, and from my own experience, it is very difficult to attend all the meetings you would wish to be present at. For example, many local meetings fall outside the radar of the council electronic diary and on occasions you simply can’t be in two places at the same time. I think many of us become good at juggling where we need to be most effective and represent our wards and positions whilst holding down full time jobs and other responsibilities.
As a Portfolio Holder the requirement for you to attend the relevant meetings to represent Thurrock is of paramount importance. The Essex Police and Crime Panel requires Phil Smith to be present and represent Thurrock on strategic matters. I notice he attended his first meeting on June 19th, but was absent for the next two consecutive meetings on Oct 29th and Nov 27th. I have taken regard to the extra responsibility allowance he receives and that the meetings are held during afternoons.
"I have met with Phil. I have expressed my concerns as Shadow PF that his current workload appears to stop him from attending the Crime Panel meetings in Chelmsford and asked him to look closely at his work commitments and make necessary changes to assure his attendance in the future.
"I have also asked that when he has done this, and if he still feels he cannot find time to attend, he should speak with his group leader John to seek support and adjustments to his responsibilities. Additionally I have asked that if he cannot commit fully to the role of Portfolio Holder for Public Protection he should consider stepping down to allow a member of his group who does have the appropriate time to take up this important role".
