A COUNCILLOR is stepping down in May because of what he describes as the “undue influence” of top managers over elected politicians.

In a letter announcing his decision to quit his Prittlewell ward seat on May 7, Ric Morgan said the way Southend Council was run was “damaging the landscape of Southend and its vital services” and many councillors were excluded from major decisions.

He also blamed past council leaders and their parties for failing to “curb that influence”.

Mr Morgan said: “The main reason for my leaving is the undue influence of a small group of highly-paid officers and the failure of successive cabinets to curb that influence.

“Many workers at Southend Council do an excellent job, but are not properly supported by their senior colleagues.

He also hit out at the system, saying he could no longer be party to a system which allowed multi-million pound developments to be pushed through in a “secretive and underhand way.”

He said he also felt the council had become an organisation in which “financial rewards are valued above the educational rights of our children,” adding: “The old political party candidates will only persist in a system that is damaging the landscape of Southend and its vital services.”

Mr Morgan ended the letter by saying he would nowbe on leave, and was not available to elaborate on his comments.

Council chief executive Rob Tinlin, said while he respected Mr Morgan, who was entitled to his opinion, he did not wish to respond.

He said: “It’s regrettable councillor Morgan wants to say these things, but I do not wish to comment.”

Martin Terry, the Independent Group spokesman as well as councillor responsible for public protection, waste and transport, said he regretted losing “a very clever man” but was adamant the Independent-Labour-Lib Dem coalition had changed the way the council worked.

He said: “One of the first decisions we made as a new administration was to change the constitution to give all the chairs and vice chairs of scrutiny committees to the opposition and ensure as many reports as possible, time allowing, are scrutinised by members before they go to cabinet.

“Unfortunately, while I respect Ric very much, he is only a member of one committee (development control) and while officers and the chief executive clearly have a big influence on what’s happening, it’s up to members to challenge that.”