THE leader of Canvey Town Council has rejected claims the authority has "wasted" people's money.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Independent Party, believes the Conservative party has launched an unfair campaign to undermine the new council.

Tory promotion material for the forthcoming Castle Point Council elections on May 1, reads: "The Canvey Independents have run the new town council taking thousands of pounds in tax from us, but can you see any progress?

"One of their first decisions was to allow councillors to claim expenses!

"Just where has the rest of your money been wasted?"

However, Mr Blackwell said the councillors had agreed not to take money from the town council and has only paid one member, Christine Andrews, £40 petrol money so she could get to a course relating to town council business.

He said: "We do it all voluntarily.

"We don't get any expenses, That was one decision I made as the chairman of the town council.

"I said we have got to achieve something and prove something to people first.

"I think it's sad they've targetted the town council, which isn't part of the election."

The town council's first budget was set by Castle Point Council at £267,300, with Canvey residents paying on average of an extra £21 in council tax to pay for setting up costs and a clerk.

At the first meeting the issue of expenses was eventually solved by members agreeing no expenses should be claimed for the first year unless councillors suffer financial hardship in their duties.

Tory Jeff Stanley, deputy leader of Castle Point Council, who is also up for election on May 1, said: "After four years the Canvey Island Independent Party has got to start standing on its own record. It is not doing a very good job."

Council offices to open

A NEW office which will act as the base for Canvey Town Council will open tomorrow.

The premises in the High Street will be officially opened by Beverley Egan, Castle Point mayor, at noon.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the town council, said: "It will make a big difference, the people of Canvey can see we have a town council and it will be somewhere they can pop in to.

"We are hoping it will be a one-stop shop for people if they can't get to the main council offices."

The town council hopes to open the offices on Saturday mornings for councillors to meet with their constituents.