Essex County Council (ECC) has been asked by the Secretary of State for Local Government Greg Clark to lead intervention and a best-value inspection of Thurrock Council, in response to concerns about Thurrock’s level of financial risk and debt.
The Secretary of State’s announcement is designed to address concerns about Thurrock’s financial management.
Essex County Council has been appointed in the role of the Commissioner and Best Value Inspector, giving ECC powers to exercise the strategic financial functions of Thurrock Council and a duty to assess whether there are failures in other functions to mitigate any further risk to services.
In its role as Commissioner, ECC will have oversight of all the functions associated with the financial governance and scrutiny of strategic financial decision making by the Authority.
The Best Value Inspection will look into the governance, audit (internal and external), risk management, overview and scrutiny functions of the Council, and consider their impact on service delivery.
Leader of Essex County Council, Cllr Kevin Bentley, said: “We have a track record of providing help, support and advice to other councils in times of difficulty.
“The secretary of State has clearly recognised our work in this field and now we stand ready to support our neighbours in Thurrock.
“Through partnership working with the Association of South Essex Local Authorities, we have a good understanding of the local context. Working alongside Thurrock colleagues and utilising ECC’s strong financial expertise and performance, I hope that we can soon begin to see Thurrock Council take positive steps forward.”
Local Government Secretary Greg Clark said: “Given the serious financial situation at Thurrock Council and its potential impact on local services, I believe it is necessary for government to intervene.
“I strongly believe that when a council gets into difficulties its local government neighbours should be the preferred source of help in turning it around.
“I know that Essex County Council possesses the expertise and ability to help its local government neighbour.
“Working together, I believe the councils can deliver the improvements local people expect and deserve.”
Essex County Council has a track record in supporting other Local Authorities to improve services for residents. Most recently we have supported Slough Council with Gavin Jones acting as Commissioner. This work has progressed sufficiently allowing there to be capacity to take on this intervention work.