THE leader of Thurrock Council has been criticised for his 'woeful' attendance record at significant meetings of the authority.

Cllr Rob Gledhill, who was again absent from last night's (Wednesday, 27 January) meeting of the full council, has attended just three of the past eight meetings of the council's major decision-making general services committee since April, missed two full council meetings (and left another early) and a meeting of the ruling cabinet.

During the past financial year Cllr Gledhill was entitled to his allowance as a councillor of £9,2000 and also under the 'special responsibility allowance' as leader he collected more than £32,000. In total the last set of recorded allowance payments showed he received £41,402.80.

Since 1 April last year Cllr Geldhill was due to attend 22 council or committee meetings in total. He attended 14 (64 per cent).

At last night's meeting the leader of the opposition, Labour's Cllr John Kent, who also gets a £9,200 basic allowance and drew £6,900 for special responsibility, said he believed Cllr Gledhill - who was due to give a leader's briefing to council and be challenged on leading decisions, was shirking his responsibilities.

Cllr Kent, the longest continually serving member of the council, who also sits on the general services committee and attended 17 out of 18 scheduled meetings said: "It is disappointing that we don't have the leader's report and the opportunity to question the leader.

"And frankly, while I understand people have issues and they have ill health and things that happen the leader's attendance at both council and the general services committee has been woeful.

"They have both been around 50 per cent and frankly that's just not good enough."