News

Free service to improve living conditions for homeowners and private tenants

26 July 2024
Thurrock residents can access free help and advice on how to improve their home, health, wellbeing and finances.
As part of the Well Homes benefit and energy advice project, homeowners and private tenants are invited to monthly drop-in sessions in Corringham, Ockendon and Tilbury.
The drop-in sessions include advice on how to homeowners and private tenants can:

Restoring Tilbury Ferry

25 July 2024
Thurrock Council has reaffirmed its commitment to continue work to find a sustainable future for the Tilbury to Gravesend ferry.
The ferry had to halt its service earlier this year after an agreement to extend the current contract could not be made. Now Thurrock Council and Kent County Council are working together to find a long-term future for the service.

National adoption drive launches as more children need a forever home

25 July 2024
Adoption experts have described an 'unprecedented' decline in adoption rates. For the first time in recent years, there are now more children in need of adoption than those coming forward to adopt.
In comparison to adoption rates in 2022-23, there has been a 14% increase in children needing an adoptive family. Latest data also shows that 15% fewer children were placed with an adoptive family in the last 3 month.

Care experience recognised as protected characteristic

25 July 2024
Thurrock Council has approved a motion to recognise 'care experience' as a locally protected characteristic, aligning with the Equality Act 2010 provisions.
This landmark move aims to address the unique challenges faced by care experienced young people, ensuring equal opportunities and support to help them thrive in both their personal and professional lives.
The Equality Act 2010 currently covers characteristics like race, disability, and gender, but does not include 'care experience'.

New Corporate Plan is a fresh start for Thurrock

25 July 2024
Thurrock Council has taken a significant step in its journey of improvement, with a new Corporate Plan being approved at a meeting of Full Council yesterday (24 July 2024).
The Corporate Plan 2024-2029 – called 'A fresh start for Thurrock' – sets out how the council will operate over the next five years as it recovers and rebuilds trust with residents and communities.
Setting a future direction for the council as it works with its partners and local communities to best serve the people of Thurrock, the plan establishes 3 priorities:

New bus service coming to Thurrock

24 July 2024
A new council-supported bus service launching in September will link communities in Horndon on the Hill, Stanford-le-Hope, Tilbury, Chadwell St Mary and Grays.
The 375 bus will run from Monday to Saturday, on the hour, 5 times in each direction between 7am and 6:45pm. It will start from South Hill Crescent in Horndon on the Hill and ending at Grays Bus Station, taking in East Tilbury Station and Coalhouse Fort along the way.

Volunteers helping to keep Belhus woods accessible

19 July 2024
Dedicated Thames Chase Conservation Volunteers have started work at the Oakwood and Ask Plantation in Belhus, helping to clear and tidy footpaths through the woods.
The volunteer team will cut back thick blackthorn hedges, slash long grass and clear brambles from obstructing the path.

New powers will help keep Thurrock moving

19 July 2024
Thurrock Council will use new powers to help stop drivers blocking the M25 Junction 31 roundabout.
The new powers mean that the council can fine drivers who block yellow box junctions at the Purfleet Interchange. Blocked junctions can cause significant traffic congestion throughout the Thurrock, as local traffic cannot get through when the M25 is blocked.
By law, for the first 6 months drivers will first receive a warning notice instead of a fine. They will only be fined during this period if they are found to have blocked the yellow box junction again.

Community Big Lunches in Thurrock

19 July 2024
Over the summer, 10 Community Big Lunches are being held in parks and open spaces across Thurrock.
Community Big Lunches are like free mini festivals, with lots of entertainment and opportunities to enjoy Thurrock without having to spend lots of money. These events have been created in partnership the borough's voluntary groups.
Events will take place on the following dates.

Thurrock Adult Community College honours outstanding achievements

18 July 2024
On Wednesday 10 July 2024, Thurrock Adult Community College (TACC) held its annual Learner of the Year Awards. The event recognised the outstanding achievements of adult learners and brought together students, staff, community partners and other interested groups to celebrate these achievements.

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Media enquiries

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

For emergency media enquiries outside of these times, phone 07912 782 470.

The communications team email inbox is not monitored outside of office hours, so email media enquiries received out-of-hours may not be answered until the next working weekday.

We advise our staff, when approached directly by a member of the media, not to answer questions themselves but to refer you to the communications team who will provide our response.

We do not normally comment on individual cases or enquiries relating to council staff.