News

Denise Murray appointed as Thurrock’s new Finance Commissioner

3 April 2025
A new Finance Commissioner for Thurrock Council has been appointed by the Government. Denise Murray will replace Nicole Wood who stepped down last month.
Denise will join Gavin Jones, Lead Commissioner and Dr Dave Smith, MD Commissioner, in their work to support the council on its recovery journey, and ensure its financial position continues to improve.

Innovative physical activity game set to launch in South Ockendon and Aveley

3 April 2025
A physical activity game that has engaged over a million people is coming to South Ockendon and Aveley.
Beat the Street will take place from Wednesday 23 April to Wednesday 21 May, thanks to funding from a National Lottery grant from Sport England.
The interactive game encourages people of all ages to get active by transforming outdoor spaces into a real-life adventure. Residents will soon notice special sensors called Beat Boxes appearing on lampposts across the area.

Thurrock Council sets out plans to hit 50% recycling target and improve collection service for residents

1 April 2025
Thurrock Council’s Cabinet has approved a new Waste and Recycling Collection Policy at its meeting on 19 March 2025. The new Waste and Recycling Collection Policy will improve service reliability for residents, increase recycling rates and ensure the council meets its legislative requirements for collections and recycling.
The policy will reduce the environmental impact of waste through a new weekly food waste collection service, by increasing the recycling rate to 50% by 2030, and reducing landfill to zero.

Enjoy a knit and natter at Thurrock libraries

27 March 2025
Residents across Thurrock can enjoy a relaxing space to knit and socialise at one of the Knit and natter groups hosted in libraries across Thurrock.
The knitting groups offer a welcoming space for people of all abilities to bring along knitting and crocheting projects while enjoying a chat and making new friends. Craft books are available to lend a helping hand and inspire attendee's next knitting project.

Celebrating Mother’s Day as a foster carer

27 March 2025
Mother’s Day is a time for celebration, reflection, and gratitude. But for foster carers, it can also be a delicate balance of making the day special for the children in their care while also receiving love and appreciation for the important role they play in the child's life.  
We spoke to some of our very own foster carers from here in Thurrock about what Mother’s Day means to them.
Caroline's blended family celebration 
For Caroline Bernard, Mother’s Day is a joyful occasion where her foster children and her own daughters come together. 

Statement on incident at Harris Academy, South Ockendon

21 March 2025
Cllr John Kent, the Leader of Thurrock Council, said:
“There is no place for violence in Thurrock, and I am shocked and appalled to hear that last night several young people in our borough were the victims of violence. I am thankful that they are being well cared for, and wish them and their families well for a speedy recovery.
“We are working closely with the police to support their investigations and bring those responsible to justice. We will also support the school community through this difficult time.

Greater Essex Interim Plan submitted to government

21 March 2025
The Greater Essex Interim Plan for local government reorganisation has been submitted to the government following a meeting today of the Leaders and Chief Executives of the 15 councils in Greater Essex.
Leaders and Chief Executives this afternoon signed a joint letter to Jim McMahon MP, the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution.

Thurrock Council to improve energy efficiency of hundreds of homes in the borough

21 March 2025
Thurrock Council is set to begin a major decarbonisation project to improve the energy efficiency of 206 homes across the borough.
This initiative, funded by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund – Wave 2.2, aims to upgrade homes with the poorest thermal performance, ensuring they achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of B or C.

Community News: Outdoor space in South Ockendon transformed

19 March 2025
The site of an old climbing frame, which was a magnet for anti-social behaviour has been transformed thanks to the help of a local resident and Thurrock Council.
Having retired in 2008, Tony, from Peartree Close in South Ockendon, would often see anti-social behaviour from large groups of young people who would meet by an old playsite in his neighbourhood.
Following a morning of litter picking around the area, he knew it was time for change.

Community News: Breakfast club brings Chadwell residents together

19 March 2025
The Chadwell community has been able to enjoy a local breakfast club thanks to the voluntary efforts of one local resident.
Sharon, from Chadwell, voluntarily runs a local breakfast club at the Chadwell Community Room on Godman Road, to give residents a place to eat and socialise at a low cost in the mornings.
The breakfast club started in 2019 before taking a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic and relaunching in 2022.

Sign-up for Thurrock News – our monthly email newsletter.

Media enquiries

Journalists and media professionals can make enquiries from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, 01375 652 017 or at communicationsteam@thurrock.gov.uk.

For emergency media enquiries outside of these times, phone 07912 782 470.

The communications team email inbox is not monitored outside of office hours, so email media enquiries received out-of-hours may not be answered until the next working weekday.

We advise our staff, when approached directly by a member of the media, not to answer questions themselves but to refer you to the communications team who will provide our response.

We do not normally comment on individual cases or enquiries relating to council staff.