ONE OF THE FIRST moves by Thurrock Council to address the criticisms made by the Audit Commission has been to employ another 'Communications Consultant'.
Head of Media and Marketing, Andy Lever said: “As part of the Improvement Board's work, communications was identified as an area of focus. The council's partners are funding a consultant to examine the communications needs of the council and to support the communications team.”
This is clearly aimed at members and officers alike.
Members of the public were astonished by Corringham Councillor Anne Cheale’s outburst against one of the Corringham Traders at the meeting last week (see video).
But it's often not outbursts but apathy, inertia and perceived contempt for the constituents that has frustrated and annoyed the public and been identified by the Audit Commission as simply not good enough.
There appears to be a cultural divide. Tory Councillors such as Gary Hague, Tunde Ojetola and Sue MacPherson seem to grasp the need to communicate. They are regularly seen in their wards, are available for interview and have a high degree of inter-personal skills that are required in their position.
We understand that Chair of Corringham Traders Association Sharon Jarrold wrote to all the local Councillors regarding the meeting held on March 2nd. She says she did not receive any reply from Councillor Ian Harrison and Councillor Pauline Tolson.
YourThurrock has e-mailed them as well but have also received no reply.
Many of the Tories have no surgeries. Little Thurrock Councillor Rob Gledhill has defended the decision. He said: “We feel that instead of sitting in a hall for two hours and seeing no-one, we prefer a walking-surgery, where we discuss things on the doorstep with our constituents.”
But are there implications for diversity in this decision by the Conservatives?
Primary School teacher, Eny Yesac said: “There are 41 different languages spoken in my school. People from all over the world are flooding into Thurrock. It seems remote and holds people in contempt to require people to ring you."
To be fair, Cllrs Maney and Ridgwell hold surgeries. The Aveley trio do as well. Cllr John Cowell is a ubiquitous figure in the ward, whether it is in the High Street, Community Forums or Youth Club.
Ockendon Councillor Amanda Arnold has been ill with Glandular Fever for three months. It took them two months before a statement was made. Her mobile phone remains shut off, her e-mails unanswered.
In modern business the message would have been:
'Cllr Arnold is unwell at the moment but is keen that any enquiry is dealt with. You can contact member services on 01375 652652 or my colleague Barry Johnson...”
It will be interesting to note whether Cllr Arnold hands back any of her £16,000 allowance?
Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, Cllr Ben Maney has not responded to any of YourThurrock's e-mails for over a year with a request for an interview.
One of the key criticisms by the Audit Commission has been the “fundamental” breakdown between relationships between officer and members.
Earlier this year, Chair of Planning Stuart St-Clair Haslam made an unbridled attack on the work and lack of vision of planning officers in a public meeting. Is that part of the problem?
YourThurrock asked Cllr St-Clair Haslam for an interview regarding this - but he has refused. Ironically, he has not made any response to the possibility that the major building initiative on his ward (Martello Homes on Dock Road) has been suspended.
Would we be writing this story a year ago? Perhaps not. With a recession, issues such as this come sharply into focus.
The councillors are perhaps fortunate that one of the first casualties of this recession has been journalism. The Thurrock Recorder has disappeared; the editor of The Thurrock Gazette, Neil Speight has left. And all that remains at the Orsett Road office of the Thurrock Gazette are two desk-bound journalists.
It was quite pointed that The Mayor of Thurrock, John Everett attempted to lampoon the Thurrock Gazette at the last Council Meeting when he held it up and identified a mistake in the paper where they incorrectly stated that the Head of the Burma Star was a 'Winston Churchill look-a-like'.
“Bring back Neil Speight” he declared. He then went on to show an embarrassing lack of knowledge on procedure and constitution that perhaps crystallised why the Council is one of the worst performing councils in the country. The term “glass houses” comes to mind.
Yet Labour are by no means immune from communication needs and we shall be addressing them at a future date.
For example, we were not impressed by the Labour Councillor who when asked by YourThurock for an interview regarding unemployment, replied: ”Can’t make it. Off to Bluewater!”.
The real concern is whether the Council gets it. YourThurrock asked them why it was that the Citizens Advice Bureau - who have the Service Level Agreement to deal with Housing Issues - were not invited to the Putting Tenants First Conference on March 27th.
The response was:
“Decisions on who to invite to the conference were taken by the Conference Working Group which includes six tenant representatives. However if the CAB wish to take part, they should contact the Housing Participation Manager on 01375 413985”
You would have thought there would have been some attempt to conciliate but the fact that they still have a 'You ring me' attitude indicates that there are deep-rooted bureacratic and cultural issues that will take a long time to eradicate.
(As we have noted previously, this is the same Conference scheduled during the day when most tenants are at work.)
Last year, YourThurrock offered to make (for free) a series of showcase films on the nominees for the Thurrock Civic Award.
A council Press Spokesman said: “We don’t think that is a good idea”.
These systemic problems may stem from the top. Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay has branded them as “Out of Touch” and East Thurrock MP Angela Smith has labelled them as “Clueless”.
Lorna Payne identified herself on Thursday as “Acting Interim Chief Executive” when interviewed on the hallowed fourth floor of the Council offices. The big question is “What happened to the Interim Chief Executive?”
Lorna Payne has always been amenable to interview. We understand that officers are not allowed to speak to the press but she is trying to break down a few barriers here. She cannot do this on her own.
Needless to say, YourThurrock asked Thurrock Council for a comment but have yet to receive an answer. And needless to say, when we asked about the new 'Communications Consultant' - employed at what expense to council tax-payers? - he / she remained unidentified!
Cllr Leader Terry Hipsey is unavailable for interview until March 31st.
Your Thurrock
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