OPPOSING councillors have clashed – and exchanged caustic insults – in a row over use of marquees at local primary schools affected by problems with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RACC).

The difference of opinion was sparked at last week's Children's Services Scrutiny meeting.

Members at the meeting heard that two of the schools affected by the presence RAAC had used marquees to provide temporary accommodation for children and staff. 

Cllr Sara Muldowney, Labour's shadow portfolio holder for children's services and education, and vice chair of the scrutiny committee had asked for this to be raised as an urgent item on the agenda, following a briefing note advising the Committee of the use of marquees.

She says the Department for Education had reneged on promises to provide temporary demountable classrooms to enable children to return to face-to-face learning and challenged Tory education portfolio holder Cllr Adam Carter over the issue.

In his response, Cllr Carter said the matter did not fall under his portfolio responsibility.

Cllr Muldowney reports that Cllr Carter was then unable to give an update on progress to install temporary accommodation at the affected schools and had to hand over to officers to provide this information.

She says that when asked if it was a concern for him that children were being housed in marquees, he told committee members that if the academy and the DfE were happy, it was fine by him and told the committee members that they could visit to see for themselves.

When asked if he had visited any of the affected schools to see for himself, he admitted he had not.

Cllr Muldowney said: "I was absolutely disgusted by the cavalier attitude and lack of concern from the portfolio holder for education. He clearly has no grip on his portfolio and has no concern for the children under his care.

"Every time Cllr Carter is asked a question as portfolio holder in council, and now at scrutiny, he says it's not his responsibility and it is down to the academies to do what they like.

"We have a situation here where five schools in the borough have had to close some of their school buildings, as it is not safe for children to be in them." 

"Due to a tardy response from the DfE to these issues, first highlighted in July 2023, these schools have already had to delay the start of the new year and put remote or hybrid learning in place whilst waiting for temporary accommodation to be delivered by the DfE."

"Now we hear that four of the five schools will not be given temporary accommodation, but have had to repurpose school halls and other spaces to house students, and two of the primary schools will be using marquees instead.

"The weather has been horrendous recently and I am deeply concerned that primary school children are being put in marquees as we approach the winter months. This is completely unacceptable and not good enough for our young children.

"For Cllr Carter to claim that everyone is happy with these measures without having visited any of these schools, or even being aware of the change of plans regarding temporary accommodation is extremely concerning.

"The fifth school, which has been provided with some temporary accommodation, is having problems with students accessing the units because of where they have been put in the school, and is still not back to face-to-face learning for years eight to10. It's an absolute shambles, and no-one at the council seems to be acknowledging the potential impact on the children's education.

"I wrote to officers straight after the scrutiny meeting to ask for visits to be set up as soon as possible, so I can see the arrangements put in place."

"This should be the role of the portfolio holder, but it seems he can't be bothered to do his job"

In response, Cllr Carter told Thurrock Nub news of his 'utter disappointment' following Cllr Muldowney's comments, saying she is 'playing politics' with children's welfare.

He identified Thameside primary as one of those using a large industrial marquee to house its breakfast club. 

Cllr Carter said: "I am deeply concerned and disappointed at the continued poor behaviour and conduct shown by Cllr Muldowney when it comes to playing politics instead of correctly handling reports of children's welfare.

"Officers have checked and, despite Cllr Muldowney's claims, we have had no reports or complaints about the large marquee used by Thameside primary from parents, pupils attending or indeed anyone.

"The councillor has claimed to have received reports. Why was this not passed on to the relevant authorities when child welfare is at stake? Why did Cllr Muldowney decide to play politics with the welfare of a child instead of trying to intervene?

"If she has received concerns, as claimed in the meeting, they should be passed on. 

"Irrespective of where she heard the comments or complaints she did not pass this onto officers immediately but tried to score political points at what should be a non-partisan committee.

"This is child welfare we are talking about and information like this should not be held onto in order to gain a headline. The Labour vice chair has previously described this committee as 'her platform' and such behaviour is dangerous and not the correct way to view the scrutiny process."

Cllr Carter's statement added: "The children's overview and scrutiny meeting had already heard what the role of the council was in regards to the RAAC issue in some buildings but they had decided they that it wouldn't have a formal paper on it as their workplan was already pretty full. The item was raised as an urgent item of business. 

"All elected members have a statutory obligation to ensure child welfare comes first but clearly the Labour vice chair of children's overview and scrutiny committee thinks column inches are more important than the welfare of children.

"I find her attitude to child welfare utterly repugnant.

"Had she taken the time to speak to officers as she did to call this into committee, she would of been told how and why the marquee is being used.

"I am pleased to say Thameside School has been working with the council even though this is not a council issue and have made clear that all councillors who wish to visit and see the offer they provide to pupils for themselves in action can do so.

"I've happily taken up this offer and hope the Labour shadow portfolio holder does the same."