APSE responds to Thurrock Borough Council

18 November 2024 statement:

APSE is extremely disappointed that its member local authorities have become embroiled in a complex and costly dispute with Thurrock Council. A dispute which APSE firmly believes could have been avoided.

It is a matter of public record that the Best Value report, written by the Commissioners who now seek to recover losses from other councils, stated:

“We have concluded that failures in this authority arose over a period of years during which time many of the operating and behavioural norms that sustain effective local government have been permitted to decay or to fall into disuse. As they did so, the Council developed systemic weaknesses which have become the norm.”

It is, therefore, a remarkably audacious choice for Thurrock’s current leadership - which includes the same appointed commissioners who recognised such weaknesses in governance, control, and political leadership in the council – to have turned their attention not to where the real fault lies, but to seek instead to recover from other local authorities who are not to blame for Thurrock’s losses.

APSE will assist in defending its members from this egregious attack.

13 November 2024 statement: 

APSE is extremely disappointed that in the midst of a pathway to resolving a complex and costly dispute – one that risks embroiling over 250 local councils in a legal matter – Thurrock Council has chosen to issue a press release which risks undermining sensitive discussions with our member local councils. This is even more regrettable because Thurrock are fully aware that APSE’s governance board is to meet to discuss next steps tomorrow (Friday 8 November) in an emergency meeting.

The contents of the press release are entirely rejected by APSE. It is highly disingenuous to suggest that APSE has not gone to great lengths to engage in dispute resolution.

As these matters are the subject of legal dispute, making such public statements, as made by Thurrock, risks undermining fairness and transparency, and opens up the potential for further legal action, which APSE may now need to consider.

Ends