News

Essex Council Leaders, the Police and Fire Commissioner and Chief Executives meet to commence work on Devolution in Greater Essex

19 February 2025
Essex Council Leaders, the Police and Fire Commissioner and Chief Executives met on Friday (14 February) to commence work on Devolution in Greater Essex
Following the announcement that Greater Essex is part of the Devolution Priority Programme, Leaders met to form a view on the challenges, examine the key criteria to be met and to start to scope the evidence and information required, drawing on collective resources, information and knowledge from across Essex.

Greater Essex Devolution: Government consultation now live.

18 February 2025
The Government's consultation on Greater Essex devolution is now live.
This is your chance to have a say on the proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority. This would cover the local government areas of Essex County Council, Thurrock Council and Southend-on-Sea City Council.

500 local people enjoy Tilbury Library open day

14 February 2025
More than 500 people joined the fun at a special event celebrating new extended opening hours for Tilbury Library.
Thanks to funding from Thames FreePort, Tilbury Library is now open six days a week, with extended hours on Tuesday and Thursday.
Tilbury Library's new opening times are:

Thurrock Council's Cabinet recommends budget proposals to go to Full Council

14 February 2025
Proposals for a budget that will see a Council Tax increases within the government limit will go forward for approval later this month.
At their meeting on Wednesday 12 February Cabinet approved budget proposals which include improvements to waste and recycling, better local healthcare and improving outdoor activities in the borough.

Plan to help encourage walking, wheeling and cycling for short journeys around the borough

14 February 2025
A new plan looks at ways to make walking, wheeling and cycling a better option for short journeys.
The Thurrock Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan looks at ways to encourage anyone heading out for a short local trip to leave the car at home and cycle or walk instead, and create a plan which can help guide future development in a way that promotes active travel.

Hundreds attend Thurrock Council's Apprenticeship and Jobs Fair

13 February 2025
Thurrock Council’s Inspire Employability and Skills Service recently hosted the 2025 Thurrock Apprenticeship and Jobs Fair at the Thameside Theatre.
The free event, which took place on Tuesday 11 February, was held in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and welcomed over 500 residents of all ages who were seeking new career paths or apprenticeship opportunities.

Coalhouse Fort: protecting its heritage for the future

12 February 2025
A new advisory group will help protect the heritage and define a bright new future for Coalhouse Fort, as work takes place to re-open it to the public and explore new ways to sustain this historic site.
The new advisory group brings together experts from arts, culture, heritage, environmental and business backgrounds. They will help advise on how to protect the fort, look at the best way to re-open it to the public and seek exciting ways to guarantee its future as a valuable community asset can best take place.

Thurrock Council launches inaugural SEND Awards

12 February 2025
Thurrock Council is proud to announce the launch of their first-ever SEND Awards, a special event dedicated to recognising the incredible achievements of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Thurrock.
The SEND Awards aim to shine a spotlight on the inspiring individuals who demonstrate resilience, determination, and perseverance in their daily lives.
There are a total of seven awards that are open to children and young people aged 0-25 with SEND who live or study in Thurrock.

Essex councils accepted onto Devolution Priority Programme

5 February 2025
The Government has today (Wednesday 5 February 2025) confirmed that Thurrock Council, Essex County Council and Southend-on-Sea City Council have had their request to be part of the Devolution Priority Programme confirmed.  

This follows the councils writing to the Government on Friday 10 January requesting inclusion on the programme and committing to local government reorganisation. 

The Government has also confirmed that the elections scheduled for May this year for Thurrock Council and Essex County Council will be suspended. 

Introducing Aimee, here to help with Council Tax questions

4 February 2025
Thurrock Council has launched a new voice activated artificial intelligence assistant which will help make it easier than ever for residents to get the information and advice they need from the council.
The system, which has been called Aimee, has been trained to help answer calls about council tax and discounts - meaning that when residents call the council, they should get answers to some of the most common questions more quickly.
Residents will be able to ask Aimee what they want to know and it will provide a response, there and then on the phone.

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

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