News

Cabinet approves plans for the demolition of Blackshots tower blocks

16 July 2026

Three tower blocks in Blackshots will be demolished after Cabinet approved plans to remove the empty buildings.

Residents moved out of the blocks more than a year ago and have all been rehoused. Since then, the buildings have stood vacant. Current plans will see them demolished by January 2028.

New council homes coming to South Ockendon

16 July 2026

Thurrock Council's Cabinet yesterday (Wednesday 15 July) approved plans to issue a tender for the building of 11 new council homes on two sites of underused garages in South Ockendon.

Planning permissions had already been granted to redevelop the underutilised sites, one to the rear of 20 – 52 Anton Road and the other to the rear of 86 - 124 Anton Road, to provide the new affordable homes. 

New Thurrock Council Chief Executive appointed

14 July 2026

Thurrock Council is pleased to announce that it has selected a new Chief Executive, after nearly four years of Government intervention when the council was overseen by a Managing Director Commissioner.

The Members' Appointment Panel, Chaired by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Richard Bingley, made their final decision to appoint Deborah Ward unanimously on 1 July 2026, with the agreement of Local Government Commissioners.

Remembering Srebrenica

10 July 2026

On Friday 10 July Thurrock Council and the borough’s Bosnian community came together at an emotional ceremony which marked the anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide to honour the memory of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys who were murdered in July 1995. 

After the genocide, surviving Bosnian refugees were rescued and brought to the UK, with a small number transported to Orsett Hospital. Having received treatment and support, they now live in Thurrock, contributing to the Borough and helping others learn of their experiences.

Upgraded Tilbury play area

10 July 2026
This week, residents, community representatives and project partners joined Thurrock Council to celebrate the opening of the upgraded play area in Anchor Fields, Tilbury.

Thurrock's children encouraged to “Read to the Beat” this summer

10 July 2026

Children across Thurrock are being invited to take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, which has launched in libraries across the borough this July. All children can sign up from Saturday 11 July and can start receiving their stickers from Monday 20 July.

Issues with My Account access

9 July 2026
We are aware of an issue affecting My Account logins and password resets on mobile devices. There are some possible workarounds that could help while work takes place to resolve it.

Tributes paid to former Mayor of Thurrock, Terry Piccolo

8 July 2026

Tributes have been paid to Terry Piccolo, who sadly passed away on Monday 6 July.

Mr Piccolo was Mayor of Thurrock from May 2019 until May 2021, the only person to ever serve two consecutive terms as Mayor of the borough. The flags at the council’s Civic Offices have been lowered to half-mast, to mark his passing.

He is survived by his wife Joan.

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