Jackie said, "Further to the claims made by Thurrock Council last week, I am delighted that Thurrock Council is investing in improved facilities for our schools. It just goes to show that despite the bleating that Government cuts are making life difficult the Council can still find the money to invest in school buildings.
However it is claimed that money has been spent on Tilbury Manor. I really must challenge the Council's version of events. There is a semi-constructed building which has been sitting there for two years. It is not fit or purpose and needs to be torn down and construction started again.
And before the Council start trying to blame the construction company, they advised from the start that the design was not fit for purpose. Would you believe the original design didn't even have provision for toilets for the children? When they did make provision the design did not meet legal standards. Consequently the contractors left the site.
It is safe to say that from start to finish the Council's intervention in Tilbury Manor has been a complete and unmitigated disaster. We had a chair of Governors removed and replaced with someone who made a series of poor decisions which were the subject of highly critical audit report. There have been significant conflicts of interest throughout this process and no one has been held to account. And we have had millions wasted.
Thankfully the Council no longer has any role in Tilbury Manor. The Gateway Learning Community had to ride to the rescue and the school became Tilbury Pioneer Academy over a year ago. As an academy it goes from strength to strength under new leadership, after years of failure under the council. But it needs a new building that is fit for purpose. The Council has left a mess that the Academy is having to clear up.
I say again, this building has been sitting in a state of semi-construction for two years. Is it any wonder that Tilbury feels unloved?"
ENDS
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