News

Thurrock residents find out more and share their views on changes to local government

8 August 2025
Thurrock residents find out more and share their views on changes to local government.
On Wednesday 6 August, residents joined an online webinar to learn more about the changes that are happening to councils in Greater Essex. Hosted by Councillor Lynn Worrall, Leader of Thurrock Council, and council officers, the session gave residents the chance to ask questions, raise concerns, and share their views on the future shape of local government in Greater Essex. 
The discussion was lively and thoughtful discussion, covering a wide range of important topics such as:  

Talk to Thurrock Council’s top team about Local Government Reorganisation

31 July 2025
Residents, local businesses and other stakeholders will have an opportunity to speak with Thurrock Council’s top team to learn more about what Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) will mean for the borough and ask any questions they may have.  
The council has set up two public question time events in August, the first online through a live video meeting and the second face-to-face/in-person at the Thameside Theatre. 

Thurrock Council Responds to Fifth Commissioners Report to Government

19 June 2025
Today the Government published the latest report from Commissioners into the recent progress made by Thurrock Council as it navigates its recovery and improvement journey. In their fifth report to the Government, the team of independent commissioners appointed by Government note further substantive progress has been made and recognises the challenging landscape in which the council operates.

Legal proceedings confirmed

14 March 2024
Thurrock Council can confirm that proceedings have been issued in the High Court against Liam Kavanagh. We are advised not to say more at this stage but will provide further information when we are able to do so.
Find out more about the council’s intervention and improvement.

Toucan proceeds will pay down over half a billion pounds of debt

21 February 2024
Thurrock Council has received just over £510m in payments following the sale of Toucan Energy Holdings, which the council will use to pay down debt.
Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: "This not only allows us to pay down a significant amount of debt, and reduces the borrowing costs associated with that debt, it also provides further clarity to our financial position as we continue to work towards Thurrock Council's financial recovery.

Toucan Energy asset sale will reduce Thurrock Council debt

25 January 2024
The successful sale of Toucan Energy's solar portfolio will see Thurrock Council divesting a significant asset and allow the council to pay down hundreds of millions of pounds of debt.
Toucan Energy Holdings entered administration in November 2022, with Thurrock Council as the primary creditor.
It has today been announced that the portfolio of 53 solar farms has been acquired by Schroders Greencoat at a sale price of circa £700m. The sale will see a significant sum returned to Thurrock Council and is the single biggest contributor towards the council's financial recovery.

Financial regulator to carry out independent investigation into failed investment strategies

3 January 2024
The UK body that regulates auditors and accountants has today announced it will begin an investigation into an individual's conduct regarding the financial management of Thurrock Council’s failed investment strategies.
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has stated it will investigate the individual’s compliance with governance and professional standards relating to Thurrock Council's operations and investment activities for the financial years ended 31 March 2018 to 31 March 2022.

Sign-up for Thurrock News – our monthly email newsletter.

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.