Grays High Street Christmas Tree lights will be officially switched on by the Mayor of Thurrock Council at a special event in Grays High Street on Thursday 27 November.
Cllr Sue Shinnick, Mayor of Thurrock, said: “Christmas is just around the corner and it is fantastic to bring festive cheer back to Grays by switching on the Christmas Tree lights.
“I would especially like to thank DP World London Gateway who have supplied the tree again this year, and Impulse Leisure who are sponsoring our fantastic launch event.
Thurrock Council has confirmed today (13 November) that it continues to support residents of Brisbane House while a burst water pipe’s after-effects are dealt with. The council is assessing the damage following the flood late yesterday led to flooding throughout the block, meaning that residents are now either in temporary accommodation provided by the council or staying with friends or family.
A woman has been forced to pay out more than £1,800 after a skip full of food and other waste caused public health issues for her neighbours by attracting pests and vermin.
Samantha Doyle, of Bata Avenue, East Tilbury, was fined £440 by Basildon Magistrates on Wednesday 5 November. She was also ordered to pay £1,200 costs and a £176 victim surcharge.
Residents of Thurrock can help to make sure that some of Thurrock's most vulnerable children wake up to a gift on Christmas day through the joint Give a Gift campaign with Thurrock Council and Impulse Leisure.
Impulse Leisure is accepting donations of toys and gifts at any of their leisure centre sites, which will go to vulnerable children in Thurrock and those at Little Havens Children's Hospice.
As an incentive, residents can save £50 on a new gym membership at the sites, when they donate two or more toys.
Thurrock Council is raising awareness of private fostering arrangements and sharing why it is important to let us know if you are in one.
Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (or under 18 if they are disabled) is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a ‘close relative’ for 28 days or more.
Examples of private foster carers could include a family friend, a great aunt or great-grandparent, family friends of the child or a more distant relative.
Thurrock Cares is back for a second year, building on the success of the cost-of-living campaign run last winter to ensure local residents could find the help they needed through the colder months.
The campaign, run in partnership by Thurrock Council, Thurrock CVS, and local community and voluntary sector organisations, makes it easy for local people to access financial support, help with food, debt advice, and warm spaces.
New legislation, known as Awaab's Law, requires social housing landlords like Thurrock Council to investigate and resolve damp and mould hazards within set time periods.
Emergency hazards must be attended and removed within 24 hours, whilst significant hazards require investigation within 10 working days, with any removal works to be completed within 5 working days from the investigation. Written summaries will be provided following investigations and completion of works.
Young people with SEND from across Thurrock took part in a special workshop that looked to boost the skills they could use in their supported internships and future employment.
Thurrock Council hosted a fantastic skills day at Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre on 21 October, for USP College and South Essex College students on Supported Internships.
Supported internships are a structured, work-based study programme for 16- to 24-year-olds with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.
Parents and carers of young children in Thurrock are being encouraged to make sure their child receives their free flu vaccination this winter. Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children and may lead to serious complications, particularly for those under the age of five.
Free flu vaccinations are now available for 2 and 3 year olds through local GP practices and participating community pharmacies. This year, there is a renewed focus on making the vaccine as accessible as possible, with more vaccination sites available across the borough.
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