FOR a second time the government has turned down a request from Thurrock Council members for a full independent public inquiry into the financial collapse of the council.

The first rejection came last year under a Conservative regime at Westminster, now Labour's Local Government and English Devolution minister Jim McMahon has repeated the refusal - responding to the call made in a joint letter from the leaders of council groups.

Writing to Labour leader Cllr John Kent, Conservative leader Cllr Andrew Jefferies and the spokesperson for the independent non-political councillor group, Cllr Neil Speight, Mr McMahon says he 'understands' the views and sentiments of the council members and borough residents he says he does not think a public inquiry would uncover anything sufficiently relevant.

He says the government wants to learn from what happened in Thurrock and adds he 'looks forward to local action to explore the reasons leading to historic issues to ensure we can all learn'.

In his letter Mr McMahon says: "Thank you for your letter to the Deputy Prime Minister asking the government to launch a public inquiry into the financial failings at Thurrock Council.

"I do understand the views from both your residents and the Council and the sentiment behind your request for an inquiry.

"I too wish to see further recovery and reform so the Council can deliver strong and sustainable services.

"There are a number of reports and investigations into the historical failings at the Council, such as the June 2023 Best Value Inspection report which documents the events which led to the collapse of the Council's investment strategy and found serious weaknesses in the scrutiny and governance arrangements.

"I am also aware that further investigations and reviews are ongoing. I do support any local action to explore the reasons leading to historic issues to ensure we can all learn.

Will the truth ever come out about what went on between rogue businessman Liam Kavanagh and Thurrock Council and its senior finance officer Sean Clark? And who else knew what?

"However, given the information already available and the ongoing actions, I have not been convinced based on the available evidence that a public inquiry, which if launched would take a number of years to complete at some cost, would add sufficiently.

"We of course reserve the right to review this should further information come to light.

"I welcome the progress Thurrock Council is making, but there are a number of challenges and I think the Council should continue to focus on the Council's recovery and reform. The Deputy Prime Minister and I are committed to resetting the relationship between local and central government, and we are very keen to learn lessons from councils like Thurrock that have experienced challenges.

"We will continue to work with Thurrock Council and Commissioners to support your recovery and reform."

Cllr Kent says: "I am disappointed that the case we have made for a full inquiry into the financial catastrophe that Thurrock Conservatives delivered has, again, been rejected.

"We will be considering further options, and I am seeking a meeting with the minister to put our case personally."

Cllr Speight has twice tabled successful motions that led to the letters to government.

He says: "Once again this is an insult to the people of Thurrock. No-one doubts there was serious malpractice within Thurrock Council. So much so that the Financial Reporting Council has launched its own internal inquiry, which appears to be dragging on but which I understand will confirm the depth and impropriety of actions within the authority by one of its members.

"But it cannot do much other than slap wrists, it seems to me. Perhaps a remaining hope its that its report will finally attract the interest of the police who so far have washed their hands of investigating the matter.

"We can but live in hope but I despair once again about the way governance in this country has become the home of squalor, deceit, arrogance and pomposity.

"Residents in Thurrock have demanded answers and accountability for three years now. They have repeatedly been kicked in the teeth and it's shameful." 

Cllr Jefferies has been asked if he wishes to comment and any response will appear here.