THE leader of Thurrock Council's opposition Labour group has criticised the authority's Conservative leader for 'painting a good news picture' to mask its failings.

Cllr John Kent spoke up after his Tory counterpart Cllr Andrew Jefferies issued a statement detailing the proposed 7.99 per cent council tax rise.

Cllr Jefferies said: "My new administration is rebuilding the council's finances and the progress we have made has been independently highlighted. Although there is much more work to be done, it is agreed Thurrock is on the road to recovery."

However, his message failed to impress Cllr Kent who responded by saying: "The announcement that Thurrock Conservatives plan to impose another inflation-busting council tax rise will come as a blow to many hard-pushed Thurrock residents. 

"The leader of the council appears to be trying to paint this as good news.

"The fact is, it is coming on top of last year's ten percent council tax hike, alongside £20 million worth of service cuts and together with a raft of inflation busting increases to the council's fees and charges.

"The Tories have bankrupted Thurrock Council and we will all be paying the price in higher Council Tax Bills, higher debt and poorer services for many years to come."