A THURROCK Council leadership meeting was disrupted after opposition councillors staged a noisy demonstration against two controversial decisions.

The cabinet met last night (Wednesday, 8 November) to discuss an £800,000 plan to appoint Price Waterhouse Cooper to show the council how to save money in the face of a £1.5 billion debt which has led to a s114 notice being issued and Government commissioners being appointed to steer the council.

Cabinet members also discussed the sale of parcels of land in Purfleet which residents fear will bring more housing without much-needed extra infrastructure.

Both items had been called by the corporate overview and scrutiny committee last week for the cabinet to reconsider their decisions.

Finance portfolio holder Cllr Graham Snell, said sufficient reason had been given to employ Price Waterhouse Cooper and any delays could cause more problems for the council.

In response to the Purfleet issue, Cllr Ben Maney, who is responsible for regeneration and highways, justified the land disposal. He added: "I can't recommend to cabinet that we do anything different than to seek disposal of the land."

The cabinet voted in favour of continuing with both schemes prompting shouts from Labour members and Independent councillor Gary Byrne seated in the public gallery.

Cllr Lyn Worrall led the noisy protest against the decisions backed by Labour colleague Cllr Aaron Green. Labour's Sue Shinnick and Cllr Byrne also expressed their disappointment from the gallery.

Clearly rattled, Cllr Andrew Jefferies, leader of the council, said: "This sort of behaviour is totally unacceptable and it's not what the residents of Thurrock expect from their democratically elected councillors and it needs to stop."

As the interruptions continued Cllr Maney decribed the opposition councillors as idiots and added: "Two councillors have been appallingly disruptive. I understand that emotions are running high. There are members of the public watching tonight and I think it sends an appalling message when elected councillors behave in this manner. It's simply inexcusable."

Independent councillor Cllr Neil Speight had 'booked' question to senio councillors and quizzed Cllr Jefferies on the council's administrative competency and questioned the strength of the process to appoint new senior managers.

He added: "Do you really believe in the integrity of this administration and its capacity to oversee an effective and fruitful recovery plan when the clear perception of the public is that you are just rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic while reserving places for a select few in the lifeboats."

Cllr Jefferies said the senior management appointment process had been painstakingly thorough.