A FREQUENTLY outspoken Thurrock councillor and community campaigner faces a disciplinary crackdown in the latest hounding of democratically elected representatives by the authority's officer hierarchy.

Homesteads ward councillor Gary Byrne is to be hauled before a disciplinary hearing - for the second time - after questioning the authority's ability to manage the Stanford-le-Hope rail station project and calling for officers responsible for the massive overspend and delays on the A13 widening project to be called to account.

Cllr Byrne, who was elected to the Homesteads ward last year, is a frequent poster on social media - expressing opinions and bringing matters concerning the council into the public arena.

However, like several other councillors before him of all political hues, Independent group member Cllr Byrne faces action which could possibly see him barred from participating in council meetings or local government.

He is already awaiting the result of a previous hearing when he was held to account over other comments about the failings of council officers.

In recent times, since the appointment of chief executive Lyn Carpenter in September 2015, a number of councillors have found themselves rebuked by her. Among the councilors called to account for their actions in speaking on matters of public interest and sharing information with the public have been Conservative cabinet member Mark Coxshall and Labour's former council leader John Kent.

Among others to have upset Ms Carpenter is Tory Andrew Jefferies who launched a scathing attack on the authority and its officers for their failure to act on the ever-growing traveller site at Buckles Lane in South Ockendon. Thurrock Nub News understands he was deeply hurt and shocked by the withering response from officers to his concerns.

Ms Carpenter has also tried to clamp down on the media outflow about the council, falling out big time with the Thurrock Independent newspaper among others, after it branded the council one of 'secrecy and contempt' in 2018. She banned officers from answering any questions from the newspaper's editor Neil Speight - now editor of Thurrock Nub News.

The ban led to widespread ridicule of the chief executive who was pilloried in the columns of several rival newspapers who supported Mr Speight and also in the pages of Private Eye. The ban was eventually lifted. The council twice referred the Thurrock Independent to the Independent Press Standards Organisation saying it was vexatious and unreasonable in its coverage of the authority. Both complaints were thrown out!