THURROCK Council's Reform leadership has issued a strong rebuttal to concerns expressed by MP Jen Craft over its management of a government community funding grant of £1.5 million.

The MP spoke out after the council announced the launch of a £250,000 community funding project last week, a direct offshoot of the government's Pride in Place Impact Fund, announced in September last year.

Mrs Craft said she was concerned about where the rest of the money is going - and accused Reform of using it to fund 'vanity projects'.

That has been roundly rebutted by Reform, who have also revealed that Mrs Craft and fellow borough MP James McMurdock were briefed on the council's proposals in February, after they had been initially sketched out by the then Labour administration.

A report put to cabinet in July says: Engagement with MPs Jen Craft and James McMurdock on the Transforming Neighbourhoods Programme and PiPIF was carried out in February 2026 where insights and feedback were gathered on projects within their constituencies for the PiPIF. This engagement has fed into the development of initial proposals so far, and MPs are being kept updated."

The full report can be read via the link in red below.

Cllr Milena Bingley, cabinet member for Education, Skills and Children's Services, has led her group's retort, saying: "In July this council's Cabinet approved a report that clearly set out how every penny of the £1.5m Pride in Place Impact Fund would be allocated, and the data and insight from local people that has informed those decisions.

"The council issued a press release to help publicise the positive news about how the money will be invested, including new playgrounds, additional CCTV to tackle fly-tipping and antisocial behaviours, and park and high street improvements.

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"We have been entirely transparent about this, and the community fund we launched on Friday is one of many ways local people can influence the improvements in their areas.

"It is a shame that such a positive announcement has been tarnished by completely unfounded accusations, but I hope that local people focus instead on letting us know what they would like to see to help restore pride in their neighbourhoods.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact."