News | Thurrock Council

Statistics report creates false impression of excess deaths in Thurrock

5 August 2020

A simplistic look at excess death rates has created a false impression that Thurrock has seen an extremely high number of excess deaths during the coronavirus pandemic.
Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show excess deaths in Thurrock peaked in the week ending 17 April, with 286% more deaths than usual. Those figures, however, include the 39 men and women who were tragically discovered in Eastern Avenue, Grays last October. Their deaths were not formally registered until 11 April 2020, following the proceedings of an inquest by HM Senior Coroner.

Thurrock Coronavirus Community Action continues to support residents

3 August 2020

From Saturday 1 August, the government paused shielding and instead is advising that vulnerable residents should follow strict social distancing measures. Food parcels provided by the government, as well as the requirement for local authorities to fill any gaps, will stop.

ASELA statement in response to Essex County Council press release

31 July 2020

Chair of the Association of South Essex Local Authorities (ASELA), Cllr Rob Gledhill, has responded to a press release from Essex County Council saying: "Can I make clear ASELA submitted its growth prospectus to government for south Essex and for south Essex to be able to govern itself.
"It is clear from discussions with all the leaders in south Essex that a whole Essex solution is recreating the current issues and our concerns are that this is just a rebrand of Essex County Council.

Proposals to help unlock huge potential of south Essex

31 July 2020

Proposals submitted to the government today (Friday 31 July) could help bring greater prosperity and vital infrastructure to south Essex and enable it to achieve its potential as an economic powerhouse for not only this region but the whole of the UK.
A prospectus detailing how an ambitious growth agenda could be delivered and proposals for the future of local government in south Essex have been submitted.

Work with Essex Police sees prolific graffiti offender arrested

31 July 2020

Joint partnership working between Thurrock Council and Essex Police has resulted in a prolific graffiti offender being successfully identified, following a series of public offences.
When later interviewed by Essex Police, the 28 year-old man from Argent Street, Grays confessed to 18 offences of graffiti in Grays Town Centre between February and June 2020.

Thurrock Council in the running again for Local Authority of the Year

23 July 2020

Thurrock Council has been shortlisted as one of just six finalists for 'Local Authority of the Year' in The Municipal Journal (MJ) Local Government Achievement Awards 2020. It is the second year in a row the council has been shortlisted for this prestigious award.
Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: "Being shortlisted two years in a row for such a prestigious award is an extremely significant achievement and shows that we are going above and beyond in serving the borough and its residents and businesses.

Thurrock Council finances in a strong position

23 July 2020

At a meeting of Thurrock Council's Cabinet on Wednesday 22 July, Cllr Shane Hebb – Cabinet member for finance – presented a report that confirmed:
Thurrock Council had delivered a balanced budget between April 2019 and March 2020
reserves had increased
income achieved from investment activity was above what had been planned
Last year Thurrock Council added more than £5.8million to its reserves, taking the total reserves up by 131% since 2016 and putting Thurrock is in a strong financial position to adjust to the post-COVID world.

Improvements to garden waste collections

23 July 2020

From Monday 27 July, brown bins will continue to follow a 2-weekly schedule but will be collected on the same day of residents’ normal blue and green/grey bin collection.
Cllr Aaron Watkins, Cabinet member for environment, said: "I know residents have experienced missed bin collections where the service has had difficulties and there has been confusion over the previous weeks, especially regarding brown bin collections.

Transformation of Grays takes significant step forward

22 July 2020

The transformation of Grays has taken another step forward as the initial design concept of a new pedestrian walkway was approved by Cabinet on Wednesday 22 July.
Thurrock Council and Network Rail will now be able to explore how the concept can be designed in more detail to achieve a bright, open and fully accessible finish. It will link the riverfront and High Street, and provide a green space at the heart of the community for everyone to enjoy – miles away from the traditional idea of an underpass.

A13 road closure this weekend, 25 July to 27 July

21 July 2020

A section of the A13 beneath the Orsett Cock roundabout will be closed this weekend.
The closure takes place from 2am on Saturday 25 July until 5am on Monday 27 July. Traffic will be diverted via the exit and entry slip roads.
The temporary one-way system around Buckingham Hill Road, Butts Lane and Waltons Hall Road will not be in place during these times. During the closure, access to and out of the Linford Household Waste and Recycling Centre (the tip) is through Buckingham Hill Road at the Linford end only. The one-way system returns at 7:30am on Monday.