THE grip of bureaucrats on Thurrock Council and the loss of democracy in the borough has been damned by opposition councillors after they learned that the authority's CEO, Dr Dave Smith, has asked the Secretary of State to consider using his powers to cancel next year's local elections in Thurrock.

If the request wins government approval it means the current ruling Conservative administration – which led the failed council into a financial catastrophe - will be certain to keep control for an additional year at least!

Thirteen Conservatives are due to defend their seats in the 2024 elections, with Labour defending four.

The seats and councillors that should be up for election next year.

Given the significant slide towards Labour in May's elections this year and national trends, it appears likely that the Conservatives would lose control.

If the minister elects to support the request, there will be no local election until at least 2025 when all the 49 seats would be up for grabs.

That change to the council's constitution is a directive from the government in the wake of the damning Best Value Inspection report into the council.

At last week's full council meeting, a motion proposed by the Labour group, and backed by the four independents on the council, called on the authority to hold 'all out' elections next May in a bid to meet the recommendations of the government sooner rather than later.

However, it was opposed by the Conservatives, who want to wait for a boundary review across the borough before going for all out change. They won the vote 24-23.

A motion from Tory leader Cllr Andrew Jefferies, saying the council should with for a boundary review – even though one if not planned, was then carried.

That left a bad taste in Labour's mouth last week and the anger and disappointment was compounded when it learned the council's chief officer is now apparently pursuing the to do away with any election next year.

Dr Smith has written to the government saying: "Following the Written Ministerial Statement of 15 June 2023 I am writing in my capacity as Head of Paid Service of Thurrock.

"The Statement outlines that, after considering the Best Value Inspection report and given the pressing need to bring stability to the Council, the Secretary of State has concluded that he wishes to seek representations on using his powers under Section 86 of the Local Government Act 2000 to bring about a move to whole council elections from May 2025.

"The Best Value Inspection report and the Secretary of State rightly identify that moving to all-out elections would provide stability and allow for greater longevity and consistency in political direction.

"It will also provide the space for members to be properly supported, through a robust induction process and continual training, to shape and articulate a long-term vision for the Council which they will be able to collectively see through.

"The Council welcomes the release of the Best Value Inspection report, endorses its recommendations, and supports the move to whole council elections and resolves to request the independent boundary review be sped up to allow for an all-out election as soon as possible.

"We would ask the Secretary of State considers all of these options before making a final decision.

"The first being that which is set out in the Statement and would see the Council continue with the election by thirds as planned in 2024 with all-out elections in 2025. This would elect a cohort of members for just one year with a need for them to seek re-election in 2025, while deferring the certainty which would come from electing all members for another year at a crucial time in the Council's recovery.

"The second option to consider would require the Secretary of State to use his powers to cancel the election by thirds in 2024 and move to all-out elections in 2025.

"This would allow for the Members of the Council as currently constituted to use the remainder of this municipal year as well as the following year to work collectively on setting the vision for the organisation at this important time without the spectre of an election in 10 months' time and allow the Boundary Commission to report on the boundary changes.

"A third option would see all-out elections taking place in May 2024 – a year earlier than proposed in the Statement. This would allow for the desired longevity and consistency in political direction to be in place sooner to shape the future direction of the Council.

"Officers at the Council are ready to implement the Secretary of State's decision on using his powers, should it be as proposed in the statement, or a variation based on the representations received."

Cllr John Kent – leader of the Labour Group who condemned the Tories in the wake of the best Value Inspection report and called for all out elections then – says: "The recently published Best Value Inspection report was very clear in its recommendation that Thurrock Council should move to all out elections.

"I agree with that. 

"We should give every voter the opportunity to have their say on the catastrophic Conservative mismanagement of Thurrock Council's finances and elect a whole new council as soon as possible – to me that means next May.

"I am disappointed – but not surprised – that the Tories want to stall and push the all out elections into the long grass. They claim to fully support the findings of the Best Value Inspection but are trying to caveat one of its much important recommendations.

"You can only draw the conclusion they are running scared of the electorate.

"Thurrock Tories are attempting to dodge democracy by delaying all out elections and even suggesting next year's elections be cancelled.

"This is absolutely outrageous and I will be writing to the minister to make it totally clear that Thurrock Labour Party want to allow residents to elect a new council as soon as possible and will not support cancelling next year's polls - our residents deserve the chance to have their say."

Tory leader Cllr Jefferies told Thurrock Nub News it was a matter for Dr Smith and the government, saying: "Dave has set out the options available to the Minister.

"I recently faced the electorate and was re-elected so I do not fear the electorate. 

"This is just one of the options available to the Minister. 

"It is for him to decide. 

"What I want to see is stability and a clear plan for Thurrock so that residents get the services they need from their council. 

"I do not see this coming from any opposition councillors, in particular the Labour group – no plan, just playing politics."

A statement from Thurrock Council says: "It would be inappropriate for the council to comment on a political press release.

"More information about the recommendation and process to move to all out elections can be found in the Statement made by Lee Rowley, Minister for Local Government and Building Safety, on 15 June 2023 and in the BVI report itself.

"The letter quoted in the release has been sent the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities as part of the representations the Minster sought in response to Recommendation 6 of the BVI report."