News

Business grant distribution - have you provided information?

6 April 2020
Thurrock Council has already helped local businesses get over £4.3 million worth of government support grants.
The grants, which were made available last week, have been created to help businesses stay afloat during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. They are funded by the government but distributed to businesses by local councils.
In Thurrock, 340 local businesses have received their payments. The first 47 were paid on Friday 3 April. After the finance tram working through the weekend another 293 were ready for payment today (Monday 6 April.

Don't play around with coronavirus restrictions

1 April 2020
Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, has slammed irresponsible people who are flouting social distancing rules and breaking into closed play areas in the borough's parks.
Last week Thurrock Council, following government guidelines, closed all park play areas and outdoor exercise areas because it is not possible for residents including families to observe social distancing when using them. 
Since then:

Council Tax support for residents

30 March 2020
Thurrock Council has introduced a range of Council Tax support measures to help residents who might be suffering financial hardship as a result of the changes introduced to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Self-employed workers who are waiting for a grant under the government scheme announced last week will be able to defer Council Tax payments until July.

Working hard to keep the borough clean and safe

27 March 2020
Thurrock Council is working hard to maintain essential council services across the borough to make sure:
it is safe for vulnerable residents
its roads are clear for critical users and emergency service vehicles
parks are a pleasant place for people observing social distancing rules to take their daily exercise
Teams hard at work include:

Support for businesses, sports clubs and community groups

27 March 2020
Thurrock Council has agreed to offer local businesses, sports clubs and community groups extra support by agreeing to defer rental payments to those that rent their premises from the council. 
Following the announcement earlier this week that the council is deferring all business rate bills a month from April, it has now announced that it will defer all rental payments for the business and clubs that rent from Thurrock Council for the first quarter (April to June). Invoices will still be issued and these organisations can still make payments should they wish.

Services affected by coronavirus – 25 March 2020

25 March 2020
Thurrock Council is making changes to some services as it continues to follow national guidance on managing coronavirus.
Following resident feedback, some changes will be made to the way waste is collected to help ensure a regular collection can be maintained. The week commencing Monday 30 March will see the last brown bin collections until further notice.
During the week commencing Monday 30 March:

Businesses reminded of new opening rules for shops

25 March 2020
Thurrock Council is reminding shops and hospitality businesses in the borough of the importance of closing their premises to comply with government rules on social distancing.
Under new rules all non-essential businesses must be closed to the public.
Lists of businesses that must remain closed, and exceptions that can stay open, are online at GOV.UK: businesses and premises to close.

Thurrock Council measures following the prime minister's announcement

24 March 2020
Thurrock Council has immediately implemented measures to help enforce social distancing to slow the spread of coronavirus and protect the most vulnerable members of our community following the Prime Minster’s announcement yesterday evening.
With immediate effect, and until further notice, council-managed buildings will be closed to the public. The Civic Offices in New Road, Grays has closed to residents today.
All community hubs and libraries are now closed including:

Thurrock Council Business Support

23 March 2020
Thurrock Council will be playing its part in helping the borough's businesses as they face uncertainty caused by coronavirus by deferring all business rate bills a month from April until May.
Cllr Shane Hebb, Cabinet member for finance said: "We will be working with the government to make sure that Thurrock businesses will get all the help and support they can from the welcome package of measures which have been announced by the government.

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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.