THE lack of knowledge by a senior Thurrock councillor about staffing matters for which she is responsible has concerned opposition councillors.

They have jumped on some hesitancy by Corporate Services portfolio holder Cllr Deb Huelin when she presented her annual report to members.

Cllr Huelin was unable to give an answer about new recruits to the authority, prompting lead opposition councillor Olver Gerris to say: "This is basic stuff. If the administration don't even know how many people they employ how can we trust them to manage their finances?"

In her report Cllr Huelin had told members the council has recruited more 300 staff in the past nine months and reduced last year's spend on agency staff by more than half a million pounds.

She added the authority has: "Exceeded our target for recruiting apprentices and re-procured the managed service for agency staff with reduced costs paid to agencies."

However, Cllr Gerrish wanted more information, which was not immediately forthcoming.

He asked: "How many new roles have been created" and asked for details of the split between staff and agency and cost to council taxpayers."

Cllr Hueling could only respond: "I don't have the number of new roles, I will get them and report back to you."

After the meeting Cllr Gerrish made a statement damning the administration, saying: "It's hard to say which is worse - the £10m civic office vanity project or the steady leakage of money everywhere else!

"Amid all this whimsy and waste, they are asking residents to cough up for a big council tax increase - while boasting that they're sitting on a surplus! Ordinary people are being made to part with their hard- earned cash simply so this council can waste more of it."

Thurrock NubNews has checked out some facts.

At one point several years ago the council employed more than 5,000 people, including a significant number in education. Because of the implementation of the academy system the vast majority of people employed in education in Thurrock are no longer on the council payroll. Some other services (and staff) have also been contracted out.

At the end of January last year the council employed 2,304 people. Of those 115 earn more than £50,000, seven earn more than £100,000 and eight between £95 and £100,000. That does not include the significant pension pots that come with top jobs.

The average salary of a council worker is £23,788.