THURROCK Council's new managing director arrived in the borough today to start work!

Dr Dave Smith was appointed by the government to take a grip on the council's administration and he was enthusiastically greeted at the doors of the Town Hall in Grays by Conservative council leader Mark Coxshall.

Cllr Coxshall, who has served since 2016 on the council's cabinet which drove forward the calamitous and failed 'borrow-to-invest' policy that brought the council to its knees with a combined debt of around £1.5 billion, says he is looking forward to a 'recovery' plan.

He said: "I look forward to working hand-in-hand with him as we drive forward our recovery to ensure Thurrock Council has a future in which it is sustainable and is the best it can be.

"Dave brings with him great experience and expertise having held senior positions across a number of local authorities in England."

Dr Smith's appointment, which will last at least a year, was announced last week by local government minister Lee Rowley as part an expansion of the ongoing intervention at Thurrock led by a Commissioner team from Essex County Council.

On arrival in the borough he said: "Thurrock Council is facing some of the greatest challenges ever faced by a local authority, and the scale of the task ahead should not be underestimated. 

"It will require a collective determination, perseverance and understanding from members, officers, businesses and all our partners across Thurrock, to make the difficult decisions and take the action needed to turn the council around so that it has solid foundations for the future. 

"I will be focused on working together with colleague commissioners, elected members and officers, as well as listening to residents' views, to continue to make the right choices which are required for improvement and recovery.

This will be the only way of restoring confidence in the Council and ensuring it meets the priority needs of Thurrock's communities."

Leader of the Council, Councillor Mark Coxshall, said: "I am pleased to now be able to welcome Dr Dave Smith to Thurrock Council. I look forward to working hand in hand with him as we drive forward our recovery to ensure Thurrock Council has a future in which it is sustainable and is the best it can be."

With Dr Smith's arrival, acting chief executive Ian Wake has stepped back into his substantive role as corporate director of adults, housing and health.