News | Thurrock Council

Statement from Council Leader on assault on Civil Enforcement Officers

23 November 2018

Cllr Rob Gledhill, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: "We are aware that two of our Civil Enforcement Officers were assaulted outside Purfleet Primary Academy.
"I am absolutely disgusted by these actions. It is completely unacceptable and we are working with Essex Police to make sure that the strongest possible action is taken.
"The fact that this vicious attack happened while our officers were working to make the roads outside the school safer for children and their families makes this even more sickening.

Free Saturday parking throughout December

22 November 2018

Shoppers and businesses in Thurrock received a welcome boost as Thurrock Council announced local parking will be free every Saturday in December.
The initiative, which kicks off on Small Business Saturday (Saturday 1 December), includes all council-owned car parks, as well as its pay and display on-street parking.

Magical Aladdin-themed lights switch-on to mark arrival of Christmas in Grays

20 November 2018

Christmas officially arrives in Grays this weekend with a spectacular afternoon of family entertainment at the town's annual Christmas lights switch-on.
Organised by the business-led Love Grays partnership, the event is taking place in Grays High Street from midday on Saturday.
In keeping with this year's pantomime at Thameside Theatre, children can enjoy an Aladdin's Magic Carpet Trail, culminating with a visit to Santa's Grotto at Grays Shopping Centre.

Flag raised for Transgender Day of Remembrance

20 November 2018

Thurrock Council once again raised the flag to recognise and commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance.
The Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Barbara Rice, joined Cllr Gary Collins, portfolio holder for central services, and residents on Tuesday 20 November to raise the Transgender Pride Flag outside the Civic Offices in Grays.

New cast member unveiled for highly-anticipated panto

20 November 2018

An exciting last minute addition has been made to the cast of this year's eagerly-awaited pantomime in Grays.
Thameside Theatre has announced reality TV star Ben Jardine – who rose to fame on the television show Married at First Sight and appeared in this year's Celebrity Big Brother – will play Wishee Washee in the theatre's upcoming panto, Aladdin.
Curtains will be raised for the first performance on Friday 30 November, with 61 fun-filled showings between then and Sunday 6 January.

Green light to invest a further £6.9million for new school places

15 November 2018

A further £6.9million investment in creating new school places in Thurrock has been agreed.
Together with its partners, Thurrock Council is investing more than £70million to create over 3,500 new school places across the borough in the coming years.
As part of that investment, the council's Cabinet last night agreed to spend a further £6.9million for the already-approved expansion of St Clere's School in Stanford-le-Hope and the creation of temporary classrooms ahead of the opening of the proposed new Orsett Heath Academy in Grays.

Highways England accused of deliberately over-complicating Lower Thames Crossing consultation

14 November 2018

Angry councillors have accused Highways England of deliberately overwhelming residents with the "sheer size and complexity" of its Lower Thames Crossing consultation.
The consultation was launched last month and runs until Thursday 20 December, but the documents run to thousands of pages.
Thurrock Council fear people could therefore be put off from responding and believes it could be a deliberate ploy from Highways England.

Thousands line the streets as Thurrock marks Remembrance centenary

13 November 2018

Thousands of people paid their respects at Remembrance parades and ceremonies in Thurrock over the weekend.
Huge crowds gathered for events across the borough to mark Armistice Day and the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, including packed services in Grays Stanford-le-Hope and Tilbury.
Beacons were also lit at Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury and in Purfleet, while special events and exhibitions took place at Thameside Theatre and Thurrock Museum in Grays.

Find out about becoming a childminder in Thurrock

13 November 2018

Starting a career as a childminder could be easier than you think.
Thurrock Council is encouraging prospective childminders to find out how at a free information session taking place next week.
Childminding is a career that provides rewarding opportunities to work with children and their families.
Come along to the free briefing on Tuesday 20 November 2018, from 7pm to 9pm, at the Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, RM17 6SL to find out more.

Grays War Memorial improvements to deter people from congregating at cenotaph

9 November 2018

Railings have been installed on the flowerbeds at Grays War Memorial as part of more than £80,000 invested in the borough's war memorials to make sure they are all looking their best for the centenary of the end of the First World War.
The small railing prevents people from sitting on the flowerbed wall and have been fitted to deter groups from using the site as a place to congregate and hang-out.