News | Thurrock Council

A greener future for Thurrock

7 June 2019

Thurrock Council has been busy planting trees to boost wildlife and enhance the appearance of local streets.
During the first round of plantings, which took place in spring, 32 trees were planted to replace those lost due to environmental factors in Grays at:
Connaught Avenue
Lenthall Avenue
Lenmore Avenue
Ward Avenue
Blackshots Lane
the edges of Blackshots Recreation Ground.
A further 34 trees will be planted throughout the borough in the autumn.

Thurrock honours the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings

6 June 2019

Tributes have been made to soldiers at a special ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.
Grays Thurrock Branch of the Royal British Legion held a commemorative service at Grays War Memorial on Thursday 6 June – exactly 75 years to the day that the Landings took place – to remember the D-Day Landings, the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of Monte Cassino.

Wheel clamping victims to get pay-out after successful case

5 June 2019

Convicted fraudsters who ran a rogue wheel clamping business have been ordered to pay more than £17,000 in compensation to their victims following a successful proceeds of crime case by Thurrock Council.
John Challinor, 57, of Albert Street, Harwich, and Edward Blundell, 78, of Coles Oak Lane, Dedham, were convicted of fraudulent trading in May 2016 for their part in running an unscrupulous company which clamped cars, vans and lorries across Thurrock.

Healthy financial position for Thurrock Council

5 June 2019

Strong financial planning, an innovative approach to commercial opportunities and an impressive investment portfolio mean that Thurrock Council has a balanced budget until 2023.
The financial out-turn report, which will be presented to Cabinet next week, also highlights that 2018/19 was the first of five years of self-sufficiency and reports that the council’s reserves have increased by more than £13.5m.

Fly-tipper fined after rubbish dumped in Grays

4 June 2019

A fly-tipper has been fined £400 after rubbish was dumped at the roadside in Grays as Thurrock Council continues to take a zero tolerance approach to the issue.
Items including paint cans, bike tyres and bags of rubbish were discarded in Rookery Lane, prompting an investigation by the council’s environmental enforcement team.
As a result of evidence gathered from the fly-tip and a review of CCTV footage, a £400 fixed penalty notice was issued to a man in the Grays area and promptly paid.

Lorry trailers move on after council enforcement action

3 June 2019

Five lorry trailers parked inconsiderately in Grays have been moved on as Thurrock Council continues its crackdown on nuisance parking.
The trailers were reported in Marshfoot Road and Wood View, prompting the council's Environmental Enforcement team to issue community protection warnings to the owners.
The trailers were promptly moved but details of the owners and vehicles have been taken in the event of any further nuisance parking, which could result in community protection notices being issued and possible fines.

Fire crews and council staff praised for quick response to flat fire

31 May 2019

Firefighters and council staff have been praised after their quick response to a small kitchen fire in a flat in Chadwell St Mary.
Fire crews attended the high-rise council flat at Poole House in Godman Road at about 10.30am this morning after a neighbour was alerted by a smoke alarm.
The fourth floor flat was empty at the time and crews had extinguished the fire within 20 minutes.
Thurrock Council caretakers and staff from its housing repairs contractor were quickly on site and it is hoped the family will be able to move back in quickly.

Site visit offers update on project to create 53 new council homes

30 May 2019

Work is progressing well with the construction of 53 new homes in Chadwell St Mary as part of Thurrock Council's £32million investment in new council homes for affordable rent for people on the borough's housing register.
The timber frames of the new council homes in Claudian Way are currently being installed in readiness for roof coverings and brickwork, while the construction of new roads and drainage is also progressing. The project is on track to be completed in spring 2020.

Thurrock Council Leader's statement: Belmont Road development

30 May 2019

Cllr Rob Gledhill, Leader of Thurrock Council, speaking about the Belmont Road development, said: "I am aware that residents have expressed concerns about access issues to the Thurrock Regeneration Ltd (TRL) Belmont Road housing development site, through Parker Road, as well as to the temporary loss of open space on Parker Road Park whilst the site is developed.

Council Leader hits out at incorrect BBC local authority finance article

29 May 2019

Cllr Rob Gledhill, Leader of Thurrock Council, has hit out at spurious claims made in a BBC report that Thurrock Council is one of 11 UK authorities in danger of depleting their reserves.
Cllr Gledhill said: "This report appears to be based on incorrect assumptions and faulty maths. The idea that Thurrock Council could be in danger of running out of reserves is ludicrous. Thanks to our long-term economic plan and investment strategy we are in one of the strongest financial positions of any unitary authority in the UK.