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. The report notes the good work underway in Thurrock to work with partners across Greater Essex on Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation and recommends extending the period of intervention so that it aligns with future proposals and timetables on local government reorganisation in Greater Essex.
The commissioners noted that Thurrock Council has engaged “positively” with them since 2022 when intervention was necessary, and that the authority has “…taken seriously its commitment to recovery and improvement.” Following the change of administration and a new Leader and Cabinet, commissioners highlighted the positive way in which both elected Members and senior officers continue to work hard to create a fresh start for Thurrock and that a balanced budget had been successfully set in May 2025, despite the challenges to do so. Additionally, the commissioners positively noted the recent Ofsted rating for the borough’s children’s social care services as ‘outstanding’ and the steady improvements in town planning and development control, as judged by the independent Planning Advisory Service.
While commissioners noted the many areas of progress against the nine key priority areas for improvement, there are still significant hurdles to overcome before intervention can come to an end. The commissioners highlighted the continuing and sustained financial pressures faced by the council, as well as constraints on staff capacity and capability, and a need for greater focus on ensuring strategic improvements such as the council’s new Corporate Risk Register, are replicated across all departments and teams.
Responding to the report from the commissioners, Cllr. Lynn Worrall, Leader of Thurrock Council said: “Residents of Thurrock, council staff and elected councillors will all welcome the fact that Thurrock Council is making real and sustained progress on what will be a long journey of improvement – but we are collectively determined to get there, making sure Thurrock is a council fit for the future.”
“Thurrock Council is getting better. Our children’s services have been rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, the National Planning Service has highlighted real improvements in our planning service and our new Corporate Plan sets out a clear direction for the future, which we will be held accountable to. But there is more work yet to do.
“On behalf of the Council, I want to thank the commissioners for their hard work with us and for their insight.
“The simple message is this: a lot has been done, but we have much, much more to do.”