A THURROCK councillor has called on the authority to live up to its responsibilities rather than penny-pinching.

Tilbury St Chads councillor Steve Liddiard is angry that the council is refusing to maintain grass areas on a street in the town - saying the residents who live there pay their council tax and are entitled to have their environment maintained, especially by a council that cites 'cleaner, greener, safer' as its mantra.

He is also concerned that the council cannot categorically confirm if it owns the land, with differing opinions from different departments.

The areas that concern Cllr Liddiard are on Sycamore Close where weeds, nettles and thistles proliferate.

Ironically a couple of the properties on the road are owned by the Peabody Housing charity, which maintains them immaculately.

Cllr Liddiard was contacted by Sycamore residents, asking him to find out why the verges are not maintained.

And he has uncovered a conflicting series of accounts about ownership of the land in question.

The area is occasionally cut, as explained to Cllr Liddiard by a member of the public realm team who says: "Whilst the Clean and Green Team have previously cut this area, as a gesture of goodwill, Thurrock Council are not responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the land.

"We are in the process of trying to ascertain the ownership of the land and have engaged our Planning Team to assist us with this matter."

It is around 30 years since the homes on Sycamore were built - leading Cllr Liddiard to say that is more than enough time to sort the issue!

When Cllr Liddiard asked the members services team about the site he was told the council did not have any obligation to maintain the land, an officer saying: "The spaces haven't been adopted, we're unaware of why they're cleaned and maintained."

Cllr Liddiard was so frustrated by confusion between departments and varying responses that he instigated a formal complaint - but that only appeared to highlight further inter-departmental confusion.

Cllr Liddiard was told by a complaints officer: "It is my understanding that you have raised concerns in relation to the residents in Sycamore Close,Tilbury, they have not had their roadside verges cut in one year; you consider the maps that are being referenced are incorrect.

"I have consulted with the staff involved with the handling of your case and have provided my findings in regards to each part of your complaint separately below.

1. You have had sight of the Planning agreement, it shows the footpaths are included and adopted by Thurrock Council; you believe the maps that are being used for reference are not correct, and suggest the Service accesses Planning's maps

1. This has impacted on the residents in Sycamore Close Tilbury, who have not had their roadside verges cut in one year

Although this does not appear to be Thurrock's land, I understand the Service agreed to carry out a cut.

1. There shouldn't be an expectation that you will resolve this matter

I would like to offer a sincere apology if you felt there was an expectation of you to resolve this matter, this was never the Service's intention. The Service continue their enquiries, with a view to seeking clarification as to who is the registered owner of the land in question.

"It appears from enquiries to date the land is not Thurrock Council's. I would ask that you please be reassured extensive enquiries have been made and continue, also that your concerns have been taken seriously and fully investigated."

Cllr Liddiard says he believes it is unfair that council-taxpaying residents are not receiving a service the council says is a showcase policy.

He told Nub News: "We seem to taking one step forward and two back with this.  I have asked officers to resolve this.

"It is a ridiculous situation which is not fair to the residents this council is supposed to serve. What is the council saving by not cutting this grass? Pennies! It is time to adopt this land and maintain it!"