News

Thurrock Council has welcomed the findings of the Local Government Association’s Social Housing Peer Challenge and an external review of its 30‑year Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan.

The peer team recognised the dedication of housing staff, the progress already being made through our improvement programme, and the renewed focus on putting tenants at the heart of decision‑making.

The review noted that the service is already implementing a detailed programme of improvements across departments and is strengthening tenant and resident engagement.

Residents and local businesses have raised almost £5,000 and donated hundreds of toys to help make sure Thurrock’s most vulnerable children can wake up to a gift on Christmas Day.

Thurrock’s Give a Gift campaign returned for another year, and people were able to get involved by donating toys and gifts or donating towards an online collection pot that would be used towards gift cards for older vulnerable children.

This year, a total of £4996.05 was raised, with hundreds more gifts donated.

Residents enjoyed a very special Christmas treat, thanks to the generous efforts of volunteers from the Purfleet Pantry & Hub.

On Friday 12 December, 28 residents from across Thurrock celebrated the festive season with a volunteer-organised party in the Community Hall of the Mulberry Drive Complex in Purfleet.

There was plenty of fun to be had, as guests tucked in to a two course Christmas dinner before being keep well entertained with a festive bingo and quiz.

Thurrock Council is sharing the following information on behalf of Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS).

The British Medical Association has confirmed that resident doctors will be taking industrial action from 7am on Wednesday 17 December until 7am on Sunday 22 December. This may affect some NHS services across mid and south Essex, including Thurrock.

Impact on NHS services

A creative community group has brought some festive magic to families by creating some special decorations to celebrate the Christmas season. 

Thanks to the talented members of the Knit and Natter group at Grays Library, a beautiful, knitted nativity scene was created to be put on display at Thameside Family Hub and Stifford Family Hub. 

Plans for the knitted nativity scene started in September, with members quickly getting to work with their needles and yarn before the creations were sent off to Norfolk for the faces to be added. 

There were two winners from Thurrock at the annual Essex Activity Awards, which recognise remarkable achievements in physical activity, sport, and wellbeing across Essex.

The annual award ceremony took place on Thursday 4 December, bringing together over 150 shortlisted nominees and invited guests to celebrate the outstanding contributions made by individuals, communities, schools, clubs, and workplaces that inspire and promote the importance of physical activity and movement in Greater Essex.

We’re excited to announce that in January, we will be opening a brand-new Re-use Shop — a community space where good-quality, pre-loved items can find new homes instead of ending up in landfill.

The shop, situated in our Linford Household Waste and Recycling Centre, will sell donated household items at affordable prices, helping local families while reducing Thurrock’s waste. But to make this project a success, we need your help.

The local NHS is sharing some festive-season tips to help everyone stay healthy and know where to turn for medical support over Christmas.

With Christmas and New Year fast approaching, we’re all hoping to feel our best as we celebrate the season — but winter bugs and unexpected illnesses can sometimes get in the way. To help you enjoy a happy and healthy holiday, the local NHS has put together some helpful advice on managing any medical needs that might arise.

Thurrock Council’s Leader and Cabinet Member for Education have this week written to the Secretary of State for Education to state their support for the recommendations of the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership report into a school run by the Mossbourne Federation in Hackney.

Thurrock Council’s Trading Standards Team has forced another shop to close its doors after it repeatedly sold illicit tobacco products.

Tilbury Vape Shop in Dock Road, Tilbury, will not be allowed to open or trade for three months following a ruling by Basildon Magistrates Court. Its owner Sami Kamali has also been ordered to pay the council £3,759.15 in costs.

The team responded to complaints and intelligence regarding the potential sale of illicit tobacco and sales of illicit tobacco to children.