News | Thurrock Council

Students receive GCSE results after extraordinary year

20 August 2020

Year 11 students across Thurrock are receiving their GCSE results today, Thursday 20 August, following months of disruption to their usual classes and end of year exam process due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Cabinet member for education, said: "I would like to personally congratulate all our young people who are receiving their GCSE grades today and who received their A-Level results last week, I wish you all every success for the future.

Joint operation leads to prosecution for unauthorised waste site

19 August 2020

The owners of a skip hire business face prosecution from the Environment Agency following a joint official inspection visit last week.
Thurrock Council Environmental Enforcement team joined colleagues from the Environment Agency, Metropolitan Police and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for an official inspection visit to a site in South Ockendon that was suspected of being used to process waste illegally.

Assumptions based on coronavirus app data dismissed as 'scientifically unsound'

19 August 2020

Thurrock Council has hit out at claims made by the developers of the unofficial COVID Symptom Study app that the borough should be classed as a 'coronavirus hot-spot' after just 3 people posted information to it saying they thought they had COVID-19 symptoms.
Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: "It's a shame that such scientifically unsound data from a tiny sample of self-selected app users should be used to spread fear and misinformation.

High Court injunction granted on Buckles Lane green belt land

14 August 2020

Following a court hearing on Thursday 6 August 2020, Thurrock Council has successfully been granted an interim High Court injunction preventing any further unauthorised development on more than 100 acres of green belt land north of Buckles Lane and south of Mollands Lane, South Ockendon.
A consent order was agreed by the involved parties and sealed by the court on Thursday 13 August 2020. This will ensure the interim injunction will continue until a trial is heard later in the year to determine if it will be made permanent.

Two weeks left to get unclaimed business grants

14 August 2020

With just 2 weeks left for eligible local businesses to receive their government grant, Thurrock Council is urging any business that has not yet received their money to come forward now.
Since the scheme was launched at the start of April, Thurrock Council has distributed more than £22million worth of government funding to nearly 1,800 local business.
Cllr Shane Hebb, Cabinet member for finance, said: "This funding has provided a vital lifeline to businesses during an extremely uncertain time.

One-way system to be removed from Buckingham Hill Road

14 August 2020

Thurrock Council is removing the temporary one-way traffic system from Buckingham Hill Road, Butts Lane and Walton’s Hall Road in Stanford-le-Hope from Monday 17 August.
The temporary one-way system was brought in during May to help manage traffic around the Linford Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC).
If residents are unable to gain access to the site when they first arrive they will be asked to re-visit the HWRC later. For safety reasons, traffic will not be permitted to queue on Buckingham Hill Road.

New Thurrock Victory Memorial leads VJ Day commemorations

14 August 2020

A new Thurrock Victory Memorial has been unveiled in Grays Town Park ahead of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) on Saturday 15 August.
The final piece to be added – a slate plaque paying tribute to Thurrock's brave service men and women – now adorns the memorial. It was originally due be revealed on Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) but was deferred to VJ Day due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Students receive A-level results after challenging year

13 August 2020

Year 13 students across Thurrock are receiving their A-level results this week. Published by the Department for Education on Thursday 13 August, the results follow months of disruption to the usual end of year and exam process due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Cllr Shane Hebb, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: "I would like to pass on my many congratulations to our students who, after months of uncertainty, have either received their A-level results this week or are due to receive them by post soon.

Statistics report creates false impression of excess deaths in Thurrock

5 August 2020

A simplistic look at excess death rates has created a false impression that Thurrock has seen an extremely high number of excess deaths during the coronavirus pandemic.
Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show excess deaths in Thurrock peaked in the week ending 17 April, with 286% more deaths than usual. Those figures, however, include the 39 men and women who were tragically discovered in Eastern Avenue, Grays last October. Their deaths were not formally registered until 11 April 2020, following the proceedings of an inquest by HM Senior Coroner.

Thurrock Coronavirus Community Action continues to support residents

3 August 2020

From Saturday 1 August, the government paused shielding and instead is advising that vulnerable residents should follow strict social distancing measures. Food parcels provided by the government, as well as the requirement for local authorities to fill any gaps, will stop.