JUST a few months after it was opened and acclaimed a 'state of the art' building, Thurrock Council's new civic office extension – recently controversially named the Town Hall – is leaking.

And Nub News has also been told that staff in some offices, including the registrar's section of the new building, are not able to work in them because of an accumulation of damp and mould.

Thurrock Council has declined to answer questions about the leaks and dampness but proof of the leak can be seen from the public areas as a bucket has been strategically placed to catch drips from the roof to stop water running over stairs!

The building has been a bone of controversy and an embarrassment to the Conservative administration which forged ahead with the extension despite a majority of councillors voting against it in June 2020.

When it opened in June there was great consternation because of a large number of faults that required a secondary company to go in and instigate repairs to doors, lifts and lighting. The building was originally built by Kier Construction – itself a highly commented upon decision as they were the firm that ran the massively overspent and much-delayed A13 widening project!

At the time of the opening then council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill said: "I am delighted that the impressive new building is starting to open up to the public. A lot of thought has gone into its design, how we use it and what we will use it for."

Cllr Mark Coxshall, now the council leader, has called it a state of the art building and added: "This new building will be the catalyst for the ambitious redevelopment of Grays."

The cost of the new building remains a closely-guarded secret by the council, which has refused several attempts by the media and councillors to get a final cost breakdown.

The biggest boob in the build process was a botched council chamber, which was created with just 35 seats when there are 49 councillors.

The chamber finally opened for the first time last month but already problems have been identified with its acoustics which make many councillors' words indecipherable for the public and press.

The first meeting heard a debate about the renaming of the building. Opposition councillors wanted all its acknowledged faults, many of which were listed in the debate, to be remedied but the majority of Tory councillors got their way and it is now The Town Hall.

But whatever it is called, it still appears to be a cause for embarrassment. It is reported members of the teams running the 'showcase' register office and wedding venue, have elected to work from desks in the public area cafeteria because of damp in their offices.

And the staircase bucket, after a few days' consistent rain has knocked more holes in the credibility of the extension, is just one more red-faced moment the ruling administration will have to try and brush-off.