Council boss cites 'disastrous' debt as he resigns

A council leader said there was still "much more to do" to try reducing the local authority's "disastrous" £900m debt, as he resigned from office.

John Kent has stepped down from running Thurrock Council.

He had been the Labour group leader for about 21 years.

The local authority was bankrupted by a series of failed investments in solar farms, racking up debts of about £1.5bn under the previous Conservative administration.

"Thurrock Council remains in a precarious position," he said.

"The council's debt - a result of the disastrous Conservative borrowing and investment policy - remains unsustainable."

Kent said the authority had to borrow £74m to meet its budget this year, but said "much progress has been made".

"The council's scrutiny system has been streamlined and improved," Kent continued, claiming its approach to risky decisions had been "significantly strengthened".

"Financial management is stronger and legal action to recover money from some of those implicated in the council's financial meltdown has been launched."

Labour celebrated taking control of Thurrock Council in May 2024, with Kent installed as leader of the authority.

Kent said he was optimistic about the local government reorganisation being planned, but said it was "against this backdrop" he had chosen to stand down.

The council is due to be dismantled, and a new all-purpose council covering both Thurrock and Basildon could be set up.

A Greater Essex mayor would also be elected to make decisions for the whole county.

Kent said it would be "the greatest reform of English local government for a generation".

"This gives us, here in Thurrock, a real opportunity to be part of a stronger, more resilient council that has the capacity to be more ambitious and deliver better quality services for those we serve," he added.

"Being leader of the council for a second time has been a tremendous honour and a role I have always been totally committed to carrying out to the very best of my ability."

Kent offered his "unequivocal support" to his successor.

Labour councillors are due to select a new leader on 21 May.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.