A COUNCILLOR is offering to help to islanders struggling to get to grips with confusing local plan papers.

Tory Chas Mumford said he is willing to set up shop in the Canvey Town Council offices or the library, both in the High Street, in a bid to explain consultation papers.

It comes after complaints the documents, which were released yesterday, are complicated and unclear

Castle Point Council is aiming to put the finishing touches to the latest draft of its Local Plan, which sets out where 2,000 homes could be built across the borough by 2031.

Residents have until Thursday, June 30 to give their views, but many claim the complex wording in the papers makes it difficult for them to have their say.

Mr Mumford, councillor for Canvey East ward, said that councillors have "a duty to explain" the documents.

He said that they have all been involved in the local plan process long enough to be able to understand them clearly.

Mr Mumford added: “We are borough councillors and we have a responsibility to explain this. I am quite happy to arrange something which will help explain the papers and what it means.

“We have all been involved in the Local Plan process for a long time so we are in a position to help. I accept that the jargon used in there doesn’t make for easy reading for the public.

“However it is no good moaning at the council and its officers about this, as they have to word it in a particular way legally. Ultimately we are the council. Castle Point officers are overworked and stretched enough as it is. They should not have to explain this.”

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Independent Party, said he is happy to work with Mr Mumford and organise public meetings- but insists council officers also need to be in attendance.

He said: “I don’t have a problem in us organising the meetings and attending them, but I maintain the officers need to be there.

“They are the best qualified to explain the plans and what they mean going forward.

“I have always said this about consultations, they need to be understand completely by the public. I just don’t think with this one, everybody is in the know.”