This week I was pleased to welcome representatives from some of Thurrock's biggest employers, education providers, cultural organisations and strategic partners to the inaugural Thurrock Business Board.
Bringing together leaders from sectors including logistics, ports, retail, education, skills, housing and the creative industries was an important moment for the borough. Thurrock is home to a remarkable range of businesses and institutions, but too often we have lacked a single forum where those organisations can come together, share ideas and help shape a common vision for our future.
Two messages came through clearly from our discussions: Thurrock has enormous strengths and opportunities; and by working together we can achieve more for the borough, its residents and local businesses than we can working alone.
We are home to some of the country's most important ports and logistics facilities. We have internationally recognised organisations such as the Royal Ballet and Opera at High House Production Park. We have thriving retail destinations, ambitious education providers and world-class businesses investing in our borough. We also occupy a strategic position on the Thames, with connections that place us at the heart of regional and national growth.
Individually, those institutions and businesses are thriving, and it was great to hear about the potential they have to grow and do more for Thurrock. However, potential alone is not enough. Success depends on turning opportunities into tangible outcomes for residents.
That is why the new Thurrock Business Board will focus on working together to drive three interconnected priorities:
- civic pride: a cleaner, safer and more attractive borough is a better place to live and do business, as we work together to achieve this and we will be be open and share our progress
- business growth: strong businesses create jobs and opportunities, we can work together to strengthening confidence and encourage investment in Thurrock
- delivery: making sure that our plans become reality, this board is only the beginning
Skills were a major theme of our initial discussions this week. As investment continues across Thurrock, we must ensure local people are able to benefit from the opportunities being created. From High House Production Park to our ports, logistics sector and the Lower Thames Crossing programme, there is significant potential to connect residents with high-quality jobs and careers.
A key part of this work is our emerging Local Plan. It provides the framework for coordinating housing, employment land, infrastructure and environmental priorities for years to come. Growth will only succeed if it is supported by infrastructure, skills training and the services that residents and employers need to help communities become successful places to live and work. Together, we can champion Thurrock and get the investment we need to ensure local growth to benefit borough and all of our residents.
The new Business Board will meet every two months and will help strengthen collaboration between the council and our partners.
By working together, sharing expertise and focusing on delivery, we can build on Thurrock's strengths and create a borough that residents, businesses and investors are proud to be part of.