Improvement

Ensuring we are fit for the future 

Thurrock Council continues to make major changes to improve the way it works and become fit for the future.  

Since the government announced the intervention in September 2022, council leaders have been working collaboratively and constructively with the Commissioners appointed by government to rectify failures, restore good governance and deliver sustainable services through financial stability.   

Improvement journey - Our story so far 

September 2022

In September 2022 the former Secretary of State announced that after due consideration he was using his powers to intervene at Thurrock Council. Essex County Council were appointed to the role of Commissioner and powers granted to them to oversee financial functions. Alongside this work Essex County Council were also appointed as a Best Value Inspector in order to assess whether there was best value failure in other functions of the Council. 

Thurrock Council was required to produce and resource an Improvement and Recovery Plan to the satisfaction of Commissioners and report on its progress at regular intervals. This plan was produced in December 2022 and the Council began reporting on progress to the Commissioner-led Boards overseeing the improvement.  

December 2022

In December 2022, the Council issued a ‘Section 114’ notice which meant it was unable to balance its budget without additional external support. This notice put in place strict spending control measures only allowing certain types of spending, such as existing payroll and contracts, and spending required to provide statutory services at a minimum possible level. An extraordinary meeting of Full Council discussed the notice and the council’s response to the finance challenge.  

March 2023

The intervention package was extended in March 2023 to include transferring additional powers from the Council to Commissioners, including employment matters related to senior managers, staffing structures, the operating model of the council and functions relating to scrutiny and transparency of strategic decision-making. Dr Dave Smith, the Managing Director Commissioner, was also appointed as the Head of Paid Service and fulfils the role of Chief Executive.  

June 2023

The Best Value Inspection (BVI) Report was published in June 2023. It considered whether, in carrying out specific functions, the council had effective arrangements in place for delivering Best Value in governance, audit, risk management, overview and scrutiny functions, and how these affect the provision of services. 

October 2023

In October 2023, the Minister for Local Government published the second report from Thurrock Council’s Commissioners, providing an update on the progress of the intervention. Following the second report the Minister decided that Essex County Council would exit its role as Commissioner, given that the first phase of the intervention had concluded. Gavin Jones, Chief Executive of Essex County Council, and Nicole Wood, Section 151 Officer of Essex County Council, were appointed as Lead Commissioner and Finance Commissioner respectively, continuing their existing roles in the intervention, but on an individual basis rather than on behalf of Essex Country Council.  

The expanded intervention package also required the Council to produce an Enhanced Improvement and Recovery Plan which addressed the failings identified in the Best Value Inspection Report. This was produced and agreed in October 2023. 

The Enhanced Improvement and Recovery Plan provided the blueprint for significant changes to be made. This included a new and improved approach to Overview and Scrutiny to provide oversight to how we deliver services; multi-year savings delivered to improve our financial stability; and a new way of operating which focusses on working with partners and communities to achieve our priorities. These improvements and others continue to be embedded, monitored and built-upon to develop a culture of continuous improvement.  

April 2025

In April 2025, Denise Murray was appointed as Finance Commissioner, replacing Nicole Wood upon her appointment as the Chief Executive of Essex County Council. 

July 2025

In July 2025, following the publication of Commissioners’ fifth report, a written ministerial statement from the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution announced the extension of the intervention at Thurrock Council until 30 April 2028. The Minister also confirmed the appointment of the current three Commissioners, Gavin Jones CBE (Lead), Denise Murray (Finance) and Dr Dave Smith (Managing Director Commissioner). 

The Directions were updated to reflect the improvement Thurrock Council had made since the beginning of the intervention and the wider context of Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution. The new Directions required the Council to incorporate the remaining aspects of its improvement and recovery work into a revised Corporate Plan.

October 2025

In October 2025, the Council adopted a new Corporate and Improvement Plan. Full details are on our Corporate and Improvement plan pages, or you can download the plan below: