THURROCK councillor Carl Morris is urging Thurrock Council to support local enterprises by giving them the chance to quote for the £100,000 worth of new road signs earmarked for the Borough.

Councillor Morris said: "It's been brought to my attention that a Thurrock sign-making company with 20 years of experience has been denied the opportunity to quote to make the new road signs that will soon be erected all over Thurrock.

"At the moment new signs are being manufactured by firms outside of Thurrock and this local enterprise isn't getting a look in and I want to know why, especially as they have worked for Thurrock Council in the past!

"In my view Thurrock Council should be supporting local enterprises, not ignoring them. When local companies exist we should give them the opportunity to at least quote for the work.

"I've asked why this local firm is not been offered the chance to at least quote for this work. Surely, it is better to keep as much local work as possible with Thurrock firms."

Councillor Tunde Ojetola, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said: "Thurrock Council fully supports local businesses and the work they do within our community.

"The Council allocates road signs work through a term contract. Term contracts allow the Council to receive best value; receiving a quality service and reducing costs and response time compared to sourcing work individually for each scheme.

"When this contract was tendered anybody - including local businesses - could apply for the work as long as they met the procurement standards set by the Council's procurement services. The term contractor is then selected on the basis of cost and quality including health and safety.

"Unfortunately on this occasion the person who best met this criteria is not based in the Borough."

Councillor Morris countered: "It is one thing to advertise, it's quite a separate matter to positively go out and seek firms in Thurrock to do local work.

"I'm not convinced that the council are pro-actively working with local businesses in the way that they once were under the Thurrock Business initiative and I want to know where this contract was advertised and to have a look at the tender document. I will be seeking that information from officers."