SOUTHEND Council has been accused of hiding information from councillors and trying to silence those elected from criticising officers.

The council is planning to “refresh guidance” for councillors regarding their communication with officers.

Independent Councillor Stephen Aylen, who claimed in August officers were deliberately withholding information from councillors and stopping them doing what the public elected them for, said this move was an attempt to shut them up rather than investigate the problems.

He told the Echo: “Instead of looking into why these criticisms are happening, they are doing this refresh. No one is doing anything about the issues.”

He added the council complaints system is failing so there is no choice but to speak out to change things.

He added: “We have run out of options. We have tried all the other ways and just hit brick walls.”

Tory councillor Mark Flewitt claimed the new policy is “heavily anti-the elected member and pro-officer”.

He said: “If an officer is telling lies how do you prove it if every time you complain you are told not to pick on officers. You can’t mention them in meetings, it is frowned upon to mention them in full council and you can’t name them as they can’t defend themselves.”

Tory leader Tony Cox added: “I do believe this needs looking at. If you look at this document, it is heavily weighted against members.

“I have said before that the way the council conducts business and politics has got to change, including officers and councillors alike. I am clear it is still the case. The administration can’t brush this off.”

A spokesman for Southend Council said: “The council has a councillor / officer relations protocol which forms part of the council’s constitution.

“The protocol was developed by councillors in 2009 with assistance from the improvement and development agency and its purpose is to ensure effective collaborative working. After ten years the protocol needs a refresh.”

Discussions were due to begin to work out the strategy for the refresh at a meeting on Thursday night.