THE leader of Thurrock Council has broken a period of media silence to talk about the future of residents who were evacuated from their homes after Tilbury;'s Brisbane House twoer black was flooded.

The incident happened on Wednesday, 12 November when the occupants of 64 flats in the block were forced to flee their homes as water cascaded through the building after water pipes burst.

The days and weeks that have followed have proved chaotic in terms of public information coming from the council, though it has insisted that it has been at the top of its game, working closely with all affected residents – who have been dispersed across the region to hotels, other council properties and private rental accommodation. Some have chosen to stay with family or friends.

The council has come in for a lot of criticism from members of the Tilbury and wider borough community for its lack of engagement.

However yesterday (Friday, 28 November), council leader Lynn Worrall went public with her first open message since speaking to cabinet on Wednesday, 19 November. The council published her statement in the wake of the council's director of place, Clair Demmel briefing councillors on Thursday night (27 November).

Cllr Worrall said: "Over the last couple of weeks, as residents of Brisbane House have found themselves in an extremely difficult situation, and council officers have worked day and night to support them, I have seen really unhelpful misinformation circulating that I want to address publicly.

"Any emergency is challenging. By their very nature, emergencies require quick action and decision-making and it is rare for everything to go perfectly, especially when people are working long hours and through the night to do their very best for local people.

"But on the whole what I am hearing and have seen with my own eyes, is that the council has been supportive and kind, and really looked after our residents.

"I know the residents of Brisbane House are extremely grateful for the support the council has given them. Yes they are understandably upset and in some cases they are angry that they have had to leave their homes, but they and others have commented on what our local MP called the council's 'extraordinary effort'.

"Residents of course want answers about what happens next, and we're working really hard to give them the certainty they need.

"We are continuing to work through the different and changing needs of each household, and support them with what they need until we can get them home.

"Decisions are being taken with residents and we are talking to them every day about what they want and need, whether that's a change to the accommodation we're providing; transport to school for children; vouchers for essentials; access to their property or anything else that is on their mind.

"Not all of this needs to be played out in public – these are people's lives, and the council's priority has been directly supporting our residents, not supplying a steady stream of updates to those who aren't affected.

"We have set out the facts – the work we've done, the work we are planning to do, and the support we have given to residents. Hopefully this will help to set the record straight and counter some of the rumours and unhelpful misinformation that is being shared.

"I would like to again thank the families and residents of Brisbane House for their patience and the constructive way they are working with us as we do everything we can to resolve this situation."

The council's statement on events can be found via this link.

Despite Cllr Worrall's reassurances that everything possible is being done and that all support possible is being given, Nub News continues to receive message from unhappy residents – and social media has a glut of complaints.

A home offered to an evacuated family was described as disappointing and dangerous.

One disgruntled family spoke up after being offered rental accommodation they described as sub standard – but were then told by council staff they were being: "'We are being picky and all want posh houses.'

Nub News was told: "We've had to decline two so far for health and safety issues. One that quite literally posed an immediate risk to life in the electrical regulations.

"We were all excited at the thought of a three-bedroom house after four of us being crammed up in a hotel for 3 week more than two weeks.

"Only to be offered a very shoddy building which we don't think is safe.

"Now hotel staff tell us that the council have practically begged Thurrock West Premier Inn to extend our booking to the 9th of December because we are being picky and all want posh houses."

However, the council has also had to deal with some very problematic tenants.

Word has reached Nub News of one family who were placed in a hotel where food was served buffet-fashion. They invited a group of people to join them to eat (without paying) and when questioned by hotel staff they got rowdy and even threw plates.

The incident prompted the unnamed hotel to ask the council to withdraw all the evacuated people it had placed there. 

Related stories:-

Editor speak up with damning criticism of council's lack of humanity in wake of flats flooding: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2139660506859933

Councillor concern: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/more-acclaim-for-caring-community-as-it-continues-to-rally-after-flooding-but-council-is-damned-for-low-profile-and-lack-of-information-has-councillors-warning-four-years-ago-about-cheapskate-repairs-been-ignored-279529

Mum's anguish: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/anguish-of-displaced-flooded-flats-mum-is-exacerbated-as-she-says-council-is-pressurising-her-for-rent-279699

Community rallies: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/community-centre-is-rallying-point-for-local-support-as-families-face-uncertain-future-after-flats-flooding-279358

Christmas return not likely: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/displaced-residents-not-likely-to-be-back-in-soaked-tower-block-homes-until-next-week-278980