A THURROCK councillor has spoken of her disappointment at the lack of communication and consultation as the council closes down classes at the Thurrock Adult Community College.

The college, on Richmond Road in Grays, will close to learners on Wednesday, 7 July, with the nursery staying open until the end of July.

The college has already been earmarked by the council as a potential housing development site despite opposition from local residents and an outcry against losing what is a highly-regarded local facility.

Grays Riverside ward councillor Jane Pothecary says: "Classes are being transferred to other venues and it looks like the college will keep offering programmes, but at different locations in the borough, with the possibility of a new premises in Grays in the future.

"I would like to see a detailed plan published immediately to ensure transparency and accountability so learners don't lose out.

"This decision has been taken with no consultation with learners, staff or community stakeholders, which is really disappointing and frustrating."

Cllr Pothecary is also trying to find out, so far without success, what will happen to the groups that use the college's facilities.

She added:" Lots of community groups used the premises for reasonable hire rates (pre Covid) like Thurrock Courts Players and the Family History Society. I've asked for confirmation about what will happen to these groups."

A statement from the college, which is run by the council, says: "From July 2021, the college will start to realise its long-term ambition to level up access to learning by opening new localised learning hubs enabling residents to develop essential skills closer to where they live with opportunities.

"Next academic year, we will start to offer classes in the east of the borough at Stanford-le-Hope and Tilbury and in the west at the new £2m Aveley Community Hub where an open event will be held on 15 September 2021 and information, advice and guidance will be available on selected days through the summer.

"We will, of course, continue to be offering a wide range of courses in central Grays, using venues such as South Essex College's Thurrock campus and The Beehive Community Resource Centre on West Street.

"As well as classroom-based learning, the college will also continue to offer online learning options which have proved popular over the past year with those people who need more flexibility to be able to study part-time.

"Our young people with SEND will be relocating to the Stanley Lazell Hall in Dell Road, Grays.

"We are very excited about the wide variety of activities we will be able to offer them at this new centre, supporting them to prepare for adulthood and independent living. The hall is currently being refurbished and will give us two fully-accessible classrooms."

College principal Jaki Bradley added: "Of course, we don't want to just work in Grays as the adult learning service covers the whole of Thurrock.

"While vwe are sad to leave what has been our home in Richmond Road for many years, we understand this move is necessary because the building has become too expensive to repair and maintain.

"As part of the College move from Richmond Road, we are setting up other bases across the borough including in the east and the west to ensure all residents can access learning in their community".

The college adds: "You can read more about the courses currently available on the College's Find A Course page. Many of the new courses for September will be launched on 24 May 2021 which will reflect the new community locations. Follow us on social channels to find out first about new adult education opportunities near you!"