THURROCK'S recently-elected councillor for South Chafford, Sue Shinnick, has spoken out after she was banned from asking what the council is doing about air pollution in her ward.

Cllr Shinnick, the past civic year's Mayor who prresided at council meetings, said: "When I am talking to residents in Chafford Hundred, the subject of air quality comes up time and time again. I wanted to ask the portfolio holder for Environment and Air Quality a simple question 'Can the portfolio holder for Environment advise what specific steps are being taken to lower air pollution levels in Chafford Hundred'.

"When I asked why my question wasn't allowed, I received an email telling me that "the council only monitors air pollution and doesn't directly work to reduce it.' That being the case, I would not be allowed to ask questions on the subject at a council meeting.

"Well, I think the council should be working to improve air quality, not just in Chafford Hundred, but across Thurrock and it is outrageous that under Thurrock Conservatives councillors aren't even allowed to ask questions, on behalf of residents, on these vital policy issues."

The leader of Thurrock Labour Group, Cllr John Kent, said: "This comes at a time when the borough's proposed new Health and Wellbeing Strategy makes barely any mention of what can be done to improve the borough's appalling air quality.

"It can't be right that Thurrock Tories don't think they need to be doing anything to reduce air pollution and are determined to avoid even discussing the problem.

"Not satisfied with locking Labour councillors out of any meaningful role in the council's scrutiny process they are now refusing to allow public debate of crucial issues like this.

"Residents have a right for their locally elected representatives to stand up for them and raise issues of genuine concern. It's just wrong that Thurrock Conservatives continue to hide from scrutiny."