Government rejects Thurrock Council public inquiry

Local government minister Simon Hoare will not hold a statutory public inquiry

The government has rejected a request for a public inquiry into a council's finances.

Thurrock Council was effectively declared bankrupt in 2022 and needed both government intervention and a bailout.

Councillors unanimously voted to request a public inquiry into its finances following a petition from 1,500 residents.

But the local government minister said an inquiry “would not provide significant additionality” or “further understanding”.

Simon Hoare MP replied to Thurrock councillors last month saying he understood “the strength of feeling in the local community about the failings of Thurrock Council that have led to a local petition and council motion”.

The minister said he believed “the ongoing intervention and the Best Value Inspection provide the best approach to understanding and tackling the issues Thurrock Council faces”.

The Best Value Inspection report found that “systemic weaknesses” and a “dereliction” in leadership at Thurrock Council led to borrowing of £1.5bn and investments in the likes of solar energy.

Thurrock Council continues to receive financial support from the government, providing £69m for 2024-25 to balance its books. Council tax is about to go up by 8% this month following a 10% rise last April.

Thurrock has reduced its overall debt to £434m mainly by recouping money from its investments.

Thurrock Council does not have the power to hold a statutory public inquiry by itself.