LEADING councillors have exchanged words of criticism after claims that the borough's leader was 'running scared' and being tight-lipped over key issues in Thurrock.

Following last week's full council meeting, local Conservatives were angered when Orsett councillor Barry Johnson was not allowed to ask an 'urgent question' relating to the Lower Thames Crossing.

His request to Mayor Cllr Kairen Raper to be allowed leave to ask the question was rejected.

That has prompted Tories to issue a release saying: "The Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr John Kent, has been running scared of facing councillors. 

"At the January Full Council meeting, held hours after the announcement that the government is exploring PFI contracts for the Lower Thames Crossing, Cllr Kent denied the opportunity for Cllr Barry Johnson to ask an urgent question regarding the Lower Thames Crossing."

Cllr Johnson added: "The Lower Thames Crossing is perhaps the biggest concern to my residents in Orsett. If built, it will destroy our beautiful villages and wreak havoc on residents. 

"It is hugely disappointing the Cllr Kent refused to allow me to ask an urgent question on the Lower Thames Crossing, based on the announcements made by the Chancellor earlier that day. He has denied me the opportunity to stand up for my residents because he is running scared and is silent when it comes to criticising the Labour government. 

"Residents can be assured that my Conservative colleagues and I are not running away from the fight and will continue to stand up for residents and fight against Option C."

Conservatives also claim Cllr Kent has been 'silent' on plans for regional governance devolution, saying Cllr Kent has let other, smaller councils, like Basildon lead the way in talking about devolution rather than let Thurrock lead the charge and get a better deal that works for Thurrock. 

The statement by borough Conservatives says: "Other nearby councils, such as Castle Point, Southend, and Essex, have had an extraordinary full council meeting to full debate and discuss devolution and the potential options and impacts of it, but Cllr Kent has failed to call such a meeting in Thurrock, being silent on the issue and not allowing councillors to fully discuss devolution and lead the charge.

"Moreover, at the full council meeting, the Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Worrall, confirmed that the council are looking at having fewer full council meetings throughout the year, potentially reducing the meetings down to four a year. 

"This is the Labour Council running scared of facing opposition councillors and public scrutiny. The Conservative Councillors are clear, there should not be a reduction in the number of full council meetings: the Labour administration should not be running scared of facing other councillors and members of the public."

Cllr Kent has responded by highlighting the Conservatives' legacy after eight years of running the council, which ended in May last year.

He says: "When the Conservatives ran Thurrock Council, they borrowed over a billion pounds which they invested via a series of secret deals so disastrous they led to the bankruptcy of the council.

"During that time, they refused to accept questions or properly engage with councillors, the press or the public on any of their dodgy financial deals – instead they spent over £60,000 of Council Tax payers' cash fighting through the courts to keep their actions secret.

"In contrast, under Labour the council has been open and transparent with senior members and officers out across the borough at events with resident, such as ward walks, Thurrock Cares Roadshows or Public Question Time - the next of which is in Ockendon on 25^th of February, places can be reserved on the council web site.

"We have been clear that we still believe, as we always have, the proposed new Lower Thames Crossing would not resolve the very real problems caused by congestion at the Dartford Crossings, it would cause huge damage to our local environment and ecology as well as doing little to add to the resilience of our local road network.

"Over the last 15 years, the council has been united on this - regardless of the party of government.

"It is disappointing that Thurrock Tories now want to break that consensus and sow division."