Council was aware 'for years'

Basildon Council stands accused over the deteriorating state of Novem Kennels, which it paid to rehome strays until an RSPCA raid last month.

Today, in the final instalment of a three-part special investigation into appalling conditions at the kennels on the A127, at Wickford, we reveal evidence showing the council had received a string of complaints about conditions since 2001.

The new information has prompted leading councillor Nigel Smith, a former Southend RSPCA president, to accuse officers of a cover up over answers he received about the kennels in 2004.

Our evidence shows the council gave Novem a number of damning inspection reports from 2002.

However, it failed to revoke the stray dog contract worth about £20,000 a year, until this month, after the RSPCA raid.

The council also issues Novem’s licence as a private boarding kennels and puppy breeder, both of which are still in place.

The council says it cannot revoke them without a prosecution or before they are reviewed at the end of the year.

Former Basildon Labour group leader Nigel Smith first raised concerns about the kennels in summer 2004.

He is outraged by our revelations and says he was misled about conditions at Novem by a senior officer and at a full council meeting.

He is demanding an independent investigation into how he this happened.

Mr Smith’s concerns followed a complaint from a resident about slipping standards, staff problems and poor animal welfare.

On June 25, 2004, he received a reply from Simon Humby, environmental health manager, who admitted the kennels were “not the best available in Basildon”.

However, Mr Humby said his department was not aware of “any cause for concern” and added: “We have not received any complaints about animals being ill-cared for.”

Yet the council’s list of official complaints shows eight had been made between May 2001 and Mr Smith’s inquiry, including five about the condition of animals. A further 12 have been made since.

Unaware of this, but unhappy with Mr Humby’s response, Mr Smith raised the issue at full council on July 22, 2004.

He asked why Novem was used if it was not the best.

Tony Ball, deputy council leader, said he was satisfied with Novem.

He said the council did its best for strays and Novem faced two unannounced inspections each year.

Speaking of the Echo’s latest revelations, Mr Smith said: “By the evening of the full council officers were well aware there were serious problems and yet councillor Ball told me everything was OK. He misled me and I want to know whether he was misled.

“His answers were a load of cobblers and there has no doubt been a cover-up.

“If it weren’t for the Echo I would still be in the dark.

“The chief executive must investigate how that answer came to be given in full council when it was clearly completely and utterly wrong.

“What is point in being a councillor if you are lied to by being given false info at a council meeting?

“An independent solicitor needs to look at the evidence and I will demand the breeding and boarding licenses are revoked immediately.”