News | Thurrock Council

More than 92% of pupils offered one of their top three school preferences

1 March 2021

More than 92% of pupils who are expected to begin secondary school in Thurrock this September have been offered one of their top three school preferences.
Offers announced today (Monday 1 March) have revealed that 92.4% of students will be able to attend one of their top choices, an increase from 88.4% in 2020.
Over three quarters of pupils (77.1%) will be able to attend their first choice of school – up from 72.1% in 2020.

Thurrock Council and Essex Police team up to tackle council tax fraud

25 February 2021

A joint partnership between Thurrock Council and Essex Police to tackle council tax fraud is a success following tough action earlier today (Thursday 25 February).
The multi-agency partnership was deployed at 10:30am this morning to a Buckles Lane site in order to ascertain if residents were paying Council Tax.
In total, 13 caravans were inspected during the 2-hour operation that also saw a vehicle seized for not having insurance.

Council approves financial plans allowing greater focus on adult social care

25 February 2021

Thurrock Council has set a balanced budget for the next year, meaning that services residents use and depend on are budgeted for until the end of March 2022.
An increase in council tax of 1.99% and a 3% increase on the adult social care precept have been approved to help ensure that social care and services to help those hit hardest by the adult-centric, once-in-a-hundred year, health crisis, are protected.

Report calls on Highways England to take action to reduce the negative impacts of the Lower Thames Crossing

24 February 2021

A report published by Thurrock Council outlines 57 schemes the council is calling on Highways England to take to offset negative impacts the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) is likely to have on the borough.
The report which was published today (24 February) calls on Highways England to take measures to reduce the negative impacts of the proposed development by:

Final properties handed over at Claudian Way

23 February 2021

Twenty-two Thurrock households have been given the keys to high-quality, affordable council homes in the final handover phase of Thurrock Council's Claudian Way development.
The keys to the remaining council homes at Chadwell St Mary were handed over to Thurrock residents this month, as part of the council's £32million investment in new council homes for affordable rent for people on the borough's housing register.

Last chance to register for housing development pilot

19 February 2021

Small, local builders are encouraged to register to take part in a pilot scheme unlocking housing development opportunities with Thurrock Council before applications close in 2 weeks' time.
The initiative, launched by Local Partnerships, will close on Friday 5 March 2021. It aims to provide support to small, local businesses during the planning application process and offer eligible businesses the chance to work with the council delivering high-quality housing within the borough.

Avoid the A13 this weekend ahead of closure

19 February 2021

A section of the A13 between the A128 junction (Orsett Cock roundabout) and the A1014 junction (Stanford-le-Hope) will be closed this weekend.
The closure takes place from 9pm, Friday 19 February until 5am on Monday 22 February. Traffic will be diverted via the A1013 Stanford Road. Non-local traffic is urged to consider using alternative routes such as the A127.
Drivers are advised to avoid the area where possible and measures will be put in place to help keep local traffic on the move.

Increased focus on social care thanks to future financial plans

12 February 2021

Thurrock Council's Cabinet has proposed an increase in Council Tax to help ensure that social care and services to help those hit hardest by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic are protected.
The current proposals are for an increase of 1.99% on Council Tax and a 3% increase on the Adult Social Care precept.
Cllr Shane Hebb, Cabinet member for finance, said: "The increase we are proposing to put before full Council later this month amounts to 99p a week for 70% of the borough’s households; and of that 67p will go directly to providing adult social care.

Waste collections during freezing weather

11 February 2021

Following snow and freezing conditions this week (8-12 February), there has been disruption to household refuse collections which has meant that bins and waste has not been collected from many homes in Thurrock.
Cllr Aaron Watkins, Cabinet member for environment, said: "The conditions this week have meant we needed to take a tough decision to temporarily suspend waste collections to prioritise staff safety. Attempts which were made were not possible, with instances of the lorries skidding over ice.

Eligible children to get free school meals during February half term

11 February 2021

All children eligible for free school meals in Thurrock schools will once again be supported throughout the upcoming February half term with each receiving a weekly £15 supermarket voucher.
Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Cabinet member for education, said; "For two weeks in December last year, the council supported thousands of eligible children across the borough with free school meals, and I am proud to say that we are once again delivering on this promise during February half term this year.