THURROCK MP Dame Jackie Doyle-Price has criticised borough residents and opposition councillors calling for a public inquiry into the financial collapse of Thurrock Council, saying it would be a waste of money.

At tonight's (Wednesday, 31 January) full council meeting councillors will take part in a debate about the issue following a successful petition from residents calling for the inquiry. Yesterday Thurrock Nub News reported on how the debate came about in the wake of thousands of residents signing up to protest.

However, Dame Jackie says enough has already been done via the government's 'Best value Report' and that anything more would not achieve anything constructive and would be a 'waste of money'.

Speaking about last week's news that the council could recover approaching £500 million through the sale of its assets in failed energy firm Toucan Energy Holdings she told Thurrock Nub News: "The solar farm investments continue to generate revenue and the selling price reflects that. This sale will generate a significant reduction to Thurrock's outstanding debt. This is a major step forward in restoring sustainability to Thurrock's finances but councillors will continue to have to make mature decisions about spending and council tax. 

"To those making demands for a public inquiry, I say this would be a waste of public money. 

"A public inquiry will not tell us anything we don't know already. It is all in the Best Value inspection report. The failings are very clear and well documented in that report.

"That found a council that had been dysfunctional for decades. It found that a succession of minority administrations had meant the council was unable to make sustainable financial decisions. It found political groupings more focused on electioneering than making objective decisions. It found a spectacular failure in governance with councillors failing to give effective scrutiny and challenge to the financial transactions being executed in their name. It found internal governance arrangements within the Council inadequate. It found serious failings in political and managerial leadership".

"It is up to all councillors to play their part in addressing these behaviours and make Thurrock Council a functional local authority. Their job now is to establish a culture where officers and members treat each other with respect and where everyone understands what their corporate obligations are. Councillors must understand that decisions are taken in the name of all 49 and they must be satisfied that they are giving appropriate scrutiny and challenge.

"Meanwhile there is continued investigation into these transactions. If anyone wishes to see more people being held to account for their part in these events they would do well to let these investigations continue without interference."