News | Thurrock Council

Celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Thameside Complex

18 January 2022

A special celebratory event will take place on Saturday 22 January to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Thameside Complex.
A programme of events will be taking place throughout the day including a photographic exhibition, story hunt for children, the launch of the Thameside Complex Living History Project, and a free cinema screening of this year’s panto including immersive special effects, light, sound and a few surprises to offer a memorable experience for audiences.

Unlet garages searched and vehicle seized

18 January 2022

An ongoing joint operation between Thurrock Council and Essex Police to tackle illicit use of unlet council garages saw 89 garages searched and one vehicle seized last Friday (14 January).
The operation was launched last summer to make sure unlet council garages are not being used to store nuisance or stolen vehicles.
During the search, the team – which included officers from the Environmental Enforcement and Housing Garages teams as well as Officers from Essex Police – seized one vehicle. They also found, investigated and cleared fly-tipped waste.

Vaccine Champions to take message to Thurrock communities

14 January 2022

New Vaccine Champions will help to make sure more of the borough's residents get the protection the COVID-19 vaccines offer thanks to £485,000 of government funding awarded to the borough.
The backing comes as part of £22.5million national Community Vaccine Champions Scheme fund, created to help encourage hard-to-reach communities get vaccinated.

Exciting opportunities for Thurrock Council-run nurseries

13 January 2022

Thurrock Council is procuring an alternative early education provider for Little Pirates Nursey and Neptune Nursery, with the view to a contract commencing in September 2022.
Cllr Barry Johnson, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "It is important that we continue to offer the very best support and childcare to both parents and children in Thurrock. We received over 300 responses to our consultation we opened in October last year, and I want to thank those parents and providers who took the time to share their views, helping us in our approach.

Details of investment scheme success shared online

13 January 2022

Information about Thurrock Council's successful investment scheme, which since 2016 has raised more than £115million to fund council services above statutory levels, have been made available on the council's website.
Proposals are also set to go before the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee next week to update member oversight of the scheme as the investment approach winds down. Previously this has been done by group leaders and deputies following a decision made at the inception of the strategy.

Tell us what you think of local pharmacy services

10 January 2022

Today, Monday 10 January, the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) survey has opened for you to tell us what you think of local pharmacy services.
Chair of Thurrock Health and Wellbeing Board, Cllr James Halden, said: "Pharmacies have gone above and beyond throughout the pandemic and for many of us, have been the first point of call supporting with health issues we have faced.

Balanced budget with focus on children and adult social care

4 January 2022

Budget proposals will ensure children's and adults social care receive a spending boost in the next council year, as Thurrock Council sets a balanced budget for the 12 months from May 2022 to April 2023 year. It will be the second balanced budget in a post-COVID world.
Proposals are for a 1.99% increase in Council Tax to be allocated entirely on children's social care, and a 1% increase in the Adult Social Care precept.
For the average Band D property, this will cost households less than the price of a first-class stamp or a 2-pint bottle of milk each week.

Make a difference and consider becoming a Foster Carer this New Year

4 January 2022

Thurrock Fostering is recruiting foster carers to look after our children and young people who are unable to live with their families because of very difficult home circumstances.
We are interested in promoting diversity and enthusiastically welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds regardless of race, sexuality, gender, relationship or religious status. You do not have to be in a family, partnership or have had children of your own.

Lionel Oxley House fire, 26 December

26 December 2021

This morning, Sunday 26 December, a fire at Lionel Oxley House, New Road, Grays resulted in 14 flats being left without power this evening.
The fire was a result of an electrical fault in a communal bin area. It was contained following a quick response by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS).
As a result of the fire, reported to Thurrock Council, 14 flats are without power and the lifts in the building are out of order. UK Power Networks and Mears engineers have been on site all afternoon and continue working to resolve these faults.

Public Space Protection Order extended against car cruisers

20 December 2021

Thurrock Council has extended the previously successful Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) against car cruisers in West Thurrock.
The PSPO was originally put in place in 2015 and since then has been extended twice, which has given the council and Essex Police the powers to crack down on the anti-social behaviour and disruption to residents.
Leader of Thurrock Council and Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Anti-social Behaviour, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: "These cruising events are a nuisance to residents in the area and that is simply unacceptable.