RESIDENTS of Tilbury's tower blocks have reacted with disappointment and anger after notices were posted on the entry doors of Brisbane House, Tasmania House and Freemantle House today warning flat holders that the current concierge entry system to the blocks may be ending.

The notices were posted without warning and blamed unnamed government regulations and cash-strapped Thurrock Council's shortage of staff as the reason.

The warned residents to ensure they have fobs to get in and out of the buildings ratherthan use a manned system of entry currently in operation. Residents pay a portion of their rent towards having the concierge system – something that is unique to the three buildings in Tilbury. The council's other tower blocks have a coding entry system.

Rents for flats in Tilbury are reportedly higher than in flats in south Grays and Blackshots because of the concierge system. And residents say the cost of a fob is £50.

Today's (Monday, 4 July) move not only caught residents by surprise – it has also posed questions for local councillors – including the authority's leader Cllr Rob Gledhill.

This evening Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park Conservative councillor Allen Mayes assured residents in the blocks that no discussion has taken place with councillors about ending the concierge service and he, and Cllr Gledhill, are looking into the matter and how and why the notice posted on doors came about.

He says residents will be given a more detailed explanation about what has happened as soon as it is possible to have dialogue with all the relevant departments.

The council's communications team has not responded to two requests submitted by Thurrock Nub News today about what has happened and has declined to respond to our request to acknowledge the questions had been submitted. This comes despite a ruling last week at full council, supported unanimously by members of all political parties who voted, that a media ban on Thurrock Nub News be lifted in the interests of transparency and democracy.

Tilbury St Chads councillor, Labour's Steve Liddiard, warned: "It looks like closure of services and death by a thousand cuts. Concierge is vital to preventing high rise turning into drug and crime chaos. I hope these savings are reflected in lower rents."

The notice posted on the doors at the tower blocks, which does not have any official attribution or any contact details, reads: "Residents are reminded to carry their fobs with them at all times, as per their tenancy agreement.

"If you do not have a fob please make arrangements with your housing officer to get one.

"Due to current government restrictions and low staffing levels we may have to close Concierge.

"If we close, you will only be able to enter the tower blocks by using your fob."