A COUNCILLOR has called for stronger local powers to intervene in academy schools as frustration grows over what one member described as 14 months of "inaction" regarding concerns about Mossbourne Federation run schools in Thurrock.

Michele Lucas, Thurrock Council's assistant director of education and children's commissioning, told the recent children's services overview and scrutiny committee that a joint review of Mossbourne's Thurrock schools is now underway, following serious safeguarding failings exposed in Hackney last year.

Ms Lucas said a multi-agency meeting involving the Department for Education (DfE), Hackney Council, Thurrock Council and senior Mossbourne representatives has resulted in a new oversight committee being formed.

"That will include both Thurrock and Hackney representation, and I will be attending those meetings," she said.

"We will be looking at the Allenwood report and how we move forward on its recommendations."

She confirmed that parents had been written to and that a promised review of Education, Health and Care Plans across Mossbourne's Thurrock schools had begun.

Senior council education officers will also visit schools, speak to pupils and assess the support being offered to children with special educational needs.

But councillors said the response had been far too slow.

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Labour councillor Cathy Kent said the situation highlighted major flaws in the academy system.

"One of the weaknesses is the lack of local accountability," she said.

"The council has limited powers to intervene — everything sits with the DfE or the regional director. As we move into devolution, surely there is a case for these powers to be held locally. Decisions affecting our children shouldn't be made by someone in Cambridge or London who isn't seeing what's happening on the ground."

Independent councillor Gary Byrne, who has repeatedly raised concerns about Mossbourne, delivered the strongest criticism.

"We've been asking for this for 14 months and it's been totally ignored," he said. "We've got safeguarding issues, humiliation and bullying, and you don't even mention it. Mossbourne are harming our children and they've been ignored for 14 months. This is shocking."