News

Residents from two social groups; Club in the Hub and Library Friends, were invited down to Belhus Library on Friday 13 December to enjoy a festive celebration with a hot meal, Christmas crackers and a raffle.

Staff at Belhus Library also helped to organise quizzes and a sing-a-long for the guests to enjoy.

The lunch was made possible thanks to a £450 grant from the Thurrock CVS, Thurrock Community Micro Grants.

The funding is aimed at supporting local communities to provide support to those most affected by the cost of living crisis.

The Leaders of Thurrock Council, Essex County Council and Southend on Sea City Council have welcomed the publication of the Government’s English Devolution White Paper. This includes the opportunities it presents for improving services for residents and businesses.

Councillor John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: 

The latest Thurrock Cares Roadshow took place in Grays on Friday 13 December, offering a range of advice and support that could help with the cost of living.

The free drop-in event brought together Thurrock Council, health organisations and partners from the community and voluntary sector to offer advice on the support available to help residents struggling with the cost of living crisis this winter.

The roadshow is a collaboration between the council, Thurrock Community and Voluntary Services (CVS) and the Stronger Together Thurrock partnership.

Thurrock Council has written to over a thousand pensioners to help make sure they know they could be entitled to thousands of pounds worth of additional support by claiming Pension Credit before applications close on Saturday 21 December.

Cllr Sara Muldowney, Cabinet member for Resources, said: “It is really important that anyone who thinks they might be eligible applies for pension credit. It not only tops up your income by an average of £3,900 it also unlocks payments and discounts worth thousands more that you are entitled to.

The second in a series of Repairs Action Days took place this week (Wednesday 11 December), giving council tenants across the borough the chance to receive advice and support on their housing.

The action days kicked off on Tuesday 19 November 2024 with a community pop-up event at Koala Park in Tilbury.

Vulnerable residents in Thurrock have been gifted festive hampers containing food and essentials for the Christmas period, thanks to Thurrock Council and several of its housing contractors, sub-contractors and consultants.

As the festive period gets underway, councils from across the region are asking people to think about opening their lives up to fostering.

For many people, Christmas is a time when friends and family come together to indulge in the festivities, but for thousands of children across England who cannot safely live at home, it can be a challenging time.

Across the East of England, there are 7000 children in care.

Foster carers, Bev and Steve were inspired to start fostering on Christmas Eve, after a chance encounter with a child that needed a home.

Cllr Vikki Hartstean, Cabinet member for Children's Services, has issued a statement following industrial action by teachers which took place at Gable Hall School, in Stanford-le-Hope, today.

Cllr Hartstean said: “The priority for Thurrock Council is ensuring that children have access to a high-quality education. We are carefully monitoring the situation and I hope that the trust and the union can quickly reach an agreement so that this situation does not further impact pupils, who should be focussing on their education.

With proposals for a new ward map for Thurrock set to go Parliament for a decision early next year, Thurrock Council has launched a consultation on proposals for polling station locations.

The consultation asks residents to have their say on proposals to divide wards into polling districts to make sure everyone has access to a polling station and can vote on polling day.

Grays Christmas Tree came to life on Monday 9 December, following a special tree lighting ceremony which took place in the High Street.

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Sue Shinnick, officially switched on the lights following a Christmas event that included Christmas pop hits, carols and songs from local school choirs, a procession of princesses, and even a special appearance from Father and Mrs Christmas.