News

Phased library reopening in Thurrock starts with Belhus

3 July 2020
Belhus Library will reopen on Monday 6 July with measures in place to keep residents and staff safe, in line with government guidelines.
The library, which is part of the South Ockendon Centre in Derry Avenue, will be the first to reopen in Thurrock. There will be a limited service available to begin with. Customers will have a maximum of 30 minutes to browse bookshelves.

Community Environmental Development Fund relaunches

3 July 2020
Residents or community organisations that have exciting ideas to help improve their local area can apply to Thurrock Council's Community Environmental Development Fund (CEDF) from Monday 6 July.
Cllr Deborah Huelin, Cabinet member for communities, said: "This fund helps support grass roots community schemes which can have a huge impact in improving residents' lives.

Test and Trace for Thurrock

3 July 2020
Thurrock Council is working with NHS Test and Trace to ensure anyone that has symptoms of COVID-19 is tested quickly and plans are in place to prevent the virus spreading in the borough.
In addition to the national testing programme, Thurrock Council's Outbreak Control Plan sets out a local strategy to prevent and control COVID-19 in Thurrock. It is primarily focused on preventing, monitoring and reducing the spread of COVID-19 at a local level.

Grays Beach galleon to be removed ahead of playground upgrade

2 July 2020
The iconic galleon play equipment at Grays Beach Riverside Park is set to be replaced by Thurrock Council in the coming months.
The galleon play equipment, which when installed was one of the largest play ships in Europe, was prioritised for renovation because it is more than 20 years-old. The council and Lightship Café, who currently manage the site, have been exploring exciting plans for its maritime-themed replacement, but have brought forward plans to remove the galleon due to the structure's deterioration during the government’s coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown.

Stay alert and stay safe as more businesses open this weekend

2 July 2020
Thurrock Council Leader, Cllr Rob Gledhill is urging residents to stay alert as pubs, restaurants, cafes, cinemas and hairdressers are able re-open this weekend.
Cllr Gledhill said: "I am pleased to see that even more businesses are able to open as we continue making strides in beating this pandemic. I know many people are looking forward to having a drink or a meal out and visiting the hairdressers.

BT starts work on Buckingham Hill Road lights

1 July 2020
Works to complete the new traffic light system on Buckingham Hill Road in Stanford-le-Hope have finally started after BT commenced works.
BT has confirmed contractors are on site to complete the new traffic light installation at the Stanford Road junction.
Thurrock Council has pressed Persimmon Homes – who are responsible for delivering these works – and BT to resolve the ongoing utility diversions on this road since 2019. The council will continue to monitor progress to ensure there are no further issues for local residents.

New laptops for 600 vulnerable children

30 June 2020
A total of 600 new laptops have been delivered to Thurrock Council for vulnerable children in the borough following funding provided by the Department for Education, in addition to 20 laptops the council have provided.
Cllr James Halden, Cabinet member for children and adult social care, said: "Thanks to generous funding from the government, we are successfully providing some of our most vulnerable children and young people known to social services with laptops to support them during this challenging time.

Statement from Leader on intu going into administration

26 June 2020
Thurrock Council Leader, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: "We are saddened to hear that intu, the company which owns and operates Lakeside Shopping Centre, has been forced to call in administrators today.
"We are, however, pleased that the centre does remain open and shops based in Lakeside will continue trading, protecting many hundreds of jobs in the local economy.

Thurrock Council prepared for financial pressures ahead

26 June 2020
Increased financial reserves – built as a result of an innovative investment policy over the last few years – will help Thurrock Council weather the financial fallout that will follow the global coronavirus pandemic, as all councils across the country begin to look at the services they deliver again.
That was the message from Cllr Shane Hebb, Cabinet member for finance, at Thurrock Council's Cabinet meeting last week (17 June).

Thurrock Fostering to host virtual sessions

23 June 2020
Thurrock Fostering is holding virtual information sessions on Saturday 27 June and Wednesday 29 July. These sessions will allow participants to see a short presentation, speak to the fostering recruitment team and have questions answered by foster carers from the comfort of your own home.
Cllr James Halden, Cabinet member for children and adult social care, said: "Thurrock Fostering is always looking for more foster carers in and around Thurrock who can care for those children and young people most in need. It is such a rewarding thing to do.

Sign-up for Thurrock News – our monthly email newsletter.

Media enquiries

Journalists and media professionals can make enquiries from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, 01375 652 017 or at communicationsteam@thurrock.gov.uk.

For emergency media enquiries outside of these times, phone 07912 782 470.

The communications team email inbox is not monitored outside of office hours, so email media enquiries received out-of-hours may not be answered until the next working weekday.

We advise our staff, when approached directly by a member of the media, not to answer questions themselves but to refer you to the communications team who will provide our response.

We do not normally comment on individual cases or enquiries relating to council staff.