News

Secondary school places for September 2024

1 March 2024
Over three-quarters of pupils who are expected to begin secondary school in Thurrock this September have been offered their top school choice.
Results announced today (Friday 1 March), revealed that 77.7% of students will be able to attend their most preferred school, with 91.1% of children being allocated one of their top 3 preferences.
This is a welcomed increase of 3.5% more students being allocated a space in one of their top 3 preference schools in comparison to the year before, despite 2,522 applications.

Council Tax 2024/25

29 February 2024
Budget Council has approved a Council Tax increase of 5.99% plus a 2% adult social care precept, a total increase of 7.99%.
Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: "This decision will help Thurrock Council continue to ensure that funding is available for vital services, while the council continues on its journey to financial recovery.

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.

Enrol for new courses starting at Thurrock Adult Community College

15 February 2024
Thurrock Adult Community College (TACC) is now enrolling for new courses starting after the February half-term, having recently moved to its new location at The Old Court House, Orsett Road, Grays.
There's a wide variety of courses available to help you learn new skills, find employment or progress in a current role.
Courses on offer include:
childcare
teaching assistants
bookkeeping
health and social care
There are also courses to help with English, maths and digital skills.

Thurrock Council Tax proposals

12 February 2024
Councillors will discuss proposals for the borough's Council Tax to increase by 5.99%, plus a 2% adult social care precept when Extraordinary Corporate Overview and Scrutiny meet on Wednesday 14 February.
These are proposals at this stage, for debate at meetings running up to Budget Council at the end of the month when the council budget for the year is due to be set.

Transport Safety Officers launched

12 February 2024
This week sees the launch of new Transport Safety Officers across public transport in Essex, Thurrock and Southend.
This pilot scheme, developed in collaboration between Thurrock Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council, and councils under Essex County Council, has received funding from Department for Transport (DfT), totalling £490,000.

Freedom of the Borough ceremony

1 February 2024
Reverend Canon Darren Barlow, Team Rector of Grays Thurrock Team Ministry, has been given Freedom of the Borough, the highest award Thurrock Council can give.
Revd Barlow received the honour at a special ceremony which took place in the Town Hall Council Chamber yesterday evening (Wednesday 31 January 2024). It was awarded in recognition of the outstanding contribution he has made to the borough.

Inspiring the next generation of voters for Make Your Mark week

29 January 2024
On Monday 29 January, Make Your Mark kicked-off in Thurrock with the aim of inspiring young people across the borough to take part in the UK's largest youth consultation.
Make Your Mark is part of UK Youth Parliament's ambition to determine which topics are most important to young people including crime, transport and the environment.
The previous campaign in 2022 showed that health and wellbeing was the biggest issue that young people wanted addressing.

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.

Have your say on a new political map for Thurrock Council

23 January 2024
A new pattern of wards is being developed for Thurrock Council.
The Local Government Boundary Commission has decided that the number of councillors in Thurrock should be 49, the same as now. The Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and organisations think about their local area. A 10-week consultation inviting proposals will run until 1 April 2024.

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