LABOUR opposition members will boycott a ceremony they have dubbed a 'clown circus' this evening as a way of showing their distaste for a lack of contrition from the ruling Conservative group.

This evening (Thursday, 13 October) a blessing will bestowed on the council's now defunct former civic chamber and a ceremonial procession with then follow to the new chamber, inside the controversial civic office extension prior to a meeting of the full council – delayed because of a administrative cock-up last month.

At least the delay, caused by a bureaucratic mix-up when proper legal notice of the meeting wasn't distributed has given the council the chance to get the new chamber ready to open – though this morning workmen were still engaged in the finishing touches!

It's seven months since Thurrock Nub News exclusively exposed the debacle that the new chamber had become – when it was revealed it wasn't fit for purpose despite years of planning.

The old chamber itself became a contentious talking point when a flood caused problems with the electrics – a problem the council was unable to resolve and so for several months council meetings were carried on in buildings and rooms around Grays town centre – often with outcomes so poor, they would be comical if it were not so serious.

It really was no laughing matter as debacle and disarray followed with a series of technical hitches at the council's temporary outposts, but it was thought the day of salvation would come in April when the new chamber opened – but far from it; a whole new woeful lexicon of direful consequences ensured.

Situated in the controversial new extension, the chamber is supposed to accommodate 49 councillors – but they built only 35 desks.

The council was determined not to acknowledge its embarrassing gaffe and immediately cast a cloak of secrecy over the story – whitewashing the chambers windows and barring everyone – even elected councillors – from going inside.

The only comment from the council when confronted by its critics and the media was that there were some 'snagging issues. It denied there were serious problems, even when a leaked picture of the new chamber was published by Thurrock Nub News.

To this day the council has declined to comment on the situation – and Cllr Haldon's wish for pomp and circumstance as the old finally turns into the new will be the first chance for the public to visit the new chamber.

Before that there will be a blessing of the old chamber and a civic parade.

As the Mayor, participating councillors and the Rev Canon Darren Barlow process from one side of the building to another led by the Mayor's cadet, they literally will be going into a new wing on a prayer.

Cllr Halden says: "It will be good to take the time to remember and reflect on the meetings and debates we have held in the old chamber, the decisions that have been made and to then start our new life in the current chamber in a welcoming and positive manner."

That's not a view shared by Labour who lament the lack of contrition and condemn what they believe is an arrogant approach to the residents of Thurrock. Not so much as a 'sorry' has been forthcoming as well as the lack of any apology or explanation.

The old chamber.

Nor is anyone apparently being held to public account for the fiasco and flawed decision-making.

Tonight's event comes on the back of the ever-increasing storm around the council's cataclysmic 'borrow to invest' strategy which is still unravelling by the day as more and more pieces of the jigsaw that is a possible £300 million loss are being uncovered by a team of investigators brought in to dissect the authority's fiscal misadventures.

With money leaking out of the council faster than a colander Labour believe celebration and pomp over such a calamitous project is not just unnecessary but smack of condescension and contempt for residents.

Labour group leader Cllr John Kent has dubbed this evening's procession as a "clown circus" and he confirmed Labour Councillors will be boycotting the event. 

Cllr Kent said: "You just couldn't make this stuff up!

"For Tory councillors to think for a second that it would be right to hold a parade to celebrate the opening of a new council chamber nobody wanted, that cost taxpayers millions of pounds we didn't have and basically is unfit for its purpose, further demonstrates just how out of touch with they are.

"The thought of the Mayor leading a parade of his Conservative colleagues who have collectively trashed the council finances and, despite years of warnings, put hundreds of million pounds at risk, is sickening". 

"There's nothing to celebrate here, that's why the Labour Group wants no part of this clown circus".