News | Thurrock Council

New Mayor takes the chains in Thurrock

24 May 2018

Cllr Barbara Rice has been inaugurated as the new Mayor of Thurrock.
The ceremony took place at Annual Council on Wednesday 23 May alongside the confirmation of Cllr Terry Piccolo as Thurrock’s Deputy Mayor for the 2018/19 municipal year.
In her acceptance speech Cllr Rice, who was born in Thurrock and has lived here for over six decades, looked forward to the year ahead, saying: “Thurrock is a unique and special place, with wonderful opportunities which we need to make the most of for everyone who lives here.

Thurrock elections 2018 results

4 May 2018

The results of Thurrock Council’s elections have been announced.
Elections took place in 16 of the borough’s 20 wards yesterday (Thursday, 3 May).
Following the count, these are the results:
9 Labour – held 6 and gained 3
6 Conservative – held 4, gained 2 and lost 1
1 Thurrock Independents – held 1 and lost 4
Overall turnout was 30.29%.
The results mean there remains no party in overall control of the council, with the current breakdown of seats as follows:

Whistleblowing story clarification

26 April 2018

Following a story in the local media today, we would like to take the opportunity to clarify matters.
As a council, we are committed to providing the best possible services for our residents and take our responsibilities for children very seriously.
Any whistleblowing allegations are robustly investigated and, where necessary, action is taken.
It is entirely standard practice to respond to media enquiries with a statement, as we did in this instance.

Joint working results in swift action

21 April 2018

Thurrock Council and Essex Police acted together swiftly to deal with an illegal traveller encampment in Kilverts Field, Grays, on Friday 20 April.
The initial incursion was spotted by a council officer, who immediately called the police to alert them to the fact that a van was trespassing on the site. This meant that the police were then quickly able to accompany council officers to the scene of the illegal traveller incursion, where the travellers were served with a Section 61'notice to quit' the site within hours of breaking on to it and had fully vacated the site by 10pm.

Sniffing out tobacco offenders

18 April 2018

Sniffer dogs helped Trading Standards officers seize 29,000 counterfeit or illegally imported cigarettes in a series of inspections carried out at tobacconists last week.
Teams accompanied by specially trained dog teams from BWI Canine visited 16 shops in Grays, Little Thurrock and Tilbury last week as part of a crackdown on tobacconists suspected of selling illegal cigarettes. Searches by the dogs found illicit tobacco, sometimes hidden away in secret compartments in ceilings and walls.

Continued success for primary school preferences

16 April 2018

For the second year in a row, 94% of children in Thurrock have been offered a place at their preferred primary school.
99% of parents in the borough have been given one of their top 3 choices, with 4.3% of pupils securing their second preference and 0.52% their third preference.
A spokesperson for Thurrock Council said: "This is great news for parents in the borough, with a continuation of the success achieved last year and nearly all applications being offered one of their top 3 preferences as we continue to invest in schools."

Waste strikes averted

16 April 2018

Strike action planned by Unite Union waste collection staff has been called off.
The council is pleased that the meetings it has held with Unite over the past months has enabled the union to clarify its misunderstandings of the issues raised as concerns.
The council has been consistent in its position throughout the negotiations and we are pleased that residents will no longer face any disruptions to a service as important as waste collection.

Rogue trader faces justice

11 April 2018

A rogue trader has been handed a 2-year suspended sentence and ordered to pay costs of more than £4,700 five years after he was first caught by Thurrock’s Trading Standards team.
John Kenny, aged 51, of Allen Way, Chelmsford, who traded as a car mechanic under the name Grease Monkey's or Gas Monkey's, pleaded guilty to fraud at Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday 10 April. He had ripped off customers, taking money for parts and repairs to their vehicles that were not supplied.

Apply now for summer volunteering opportunities with libraries

10 April 2018

Thurrock Libraries have an exciting volunteering opportunity for young people who can help introduce children to the joy of books as part of the Summer Reading Challenge.
Anyone aged between 13 and 18 years-old who is looking for a volunteering opportunity during the summer holidays can take part.
The national Summer Reading Challenge takes place every year in libraries across Thurrock. It is the ideal opportunity to have fun, gain new skills and get some fantastic experience to include on CVs.

Council nominations close

10 April 2018

Local election nominations for councillors have officially closed and the names of all candidates standing in for election in Thurrock on 3 May have been released.
Details of candidates running can be found at thurrock.gov.uk/elections
Polling cards have been delivered to eligible electors giving details of their polling station and how to apply for postal or proxy votes. Polling hours on Thursday, 3 May are from 7am until 10pm.