News

Increased funding for social care, the environment and to tackle anti-social behaviour

27 February 2020
Thurrock Council has agreed a modest increase in council tax with all additional funding being used to tackle anti-social behaviour and fund further improvements in social care and the environment.
On Wednesday 26 February, Council has voted to increase general council tax by 1.49%, with a 2% increase on the social care precept. This follows a general council tax freeze last year.

New Corporate Director of Children’s Services appointed

27 February 2020
Thurrock Council has appointed Sheila Murphy as the new Corporate Director of Children's Services following an intensive recruitment process.
Sheila is currently Assistant Director of Children's Services. She has worked at Thurrock Council for almost three years and started her career in children's social care as a qualified social worker at the London Borough of Lewisham in 1988.

A13 closure from Friday 28 February to Monday 2 March

25 February 2020
As works progress to widen the A13, drivers are reminded of a series of weekend and overnight closures needed so the next phase of the project can be completed safely.
This weekend's closure is from 9pm on Friday 28 February until 5am on Monday 2 March. The road will be closed beneath the A128 junction (Orsett Cock Roundabout) with diversions via the exit slip road, roundabout and entry slip road.
Delays are expected and all non-local traffic is urged to avoid the A13 and use alternative routes such as the A130, A127 and M25.
Planned closures are:

Thurrock celebrates LGBT+ Fostering and Adoption Week

24 February 2020
Thurrock Council is once again celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual (LGBT+) Fostering and Adoption week – between Monday 2 March and Sunday 8 March – raising awareness that sexuality is not a barrier to fostering or adoption.
Everyone is welcome to contact Thurrock Fostering or Adoption to find out more, whether they are in a relationship, already have children, are single and whatever their sexuality.

Free Private Fostering workshop

21 February 2020
A free workshop will take place on Friday 6 March 2020 advising professionals, volunteers and members of the public on private fostering.
Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16, or 18 if disabled, is being cared away from their home by someone who is not a parent or close relative for 28 days or more.
The free session is taking place in Committee Room 2, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, RM17 6SL from 10am to midday on Friday 6 March.

Thurrock to celebrate #EachForEqual for International Women's Day

20 February 2020
Thurrock Council is once again celebrating International Women’s Day with a series of events at the Civic Offices in Grays on Monday 9 March 2020.
This year’s theme of #EachForEqual will see a number of local providers come together to promote their services and the positive action for change that women can take. Taking place from 1pm to 4pm in Committee Rooms 2 and 3 at the Civic Offices, partners due to attend include Thurrock Healthy Lifestyle Solutions, South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre (SERICC), Changing Pathways and Essex Police amongst others.

Apprenticeship Levy funding available for Thurrock businesses

19 February 2020
To support our ambition to make Thurrock a great place to work and learn, we are sharing some of our apprenticeship levy to enable small businesses in the borough fund new apprenticeships.
The funding can be used by Thurrock employers to recruit new apprentices or to upskill their existing workforce.
Cllr Deb Huelin, Cabinet member for central services and communities, said: "If you are a local business who could use the levy to recruit a new apprentice or offer a fantastic leaning opportunity to existing employees, please do get in touch with the council.

A13 widening works progress - updated list of closures

18 February 2020
As works progress to widen the A13 drivers are reminded of a series of weekend and overnight closures to enable the next phase of the project to be completed safely.
This weekend's closure takes place from 9pm on Friday 21 February until 5am on Monday 24 February. The road will be closed in both directions between the A128 junction (Orsett Cock roundabout) and the A1014 junction (Stanford-le-Hope).
Delays are expected and all non-local traffic is urged to avoid the A13 and use alternative routes such as the A130, A127 and M25.
Planned closures are:

Share your views on the Public Space Protection Order in Grays

14 February 2020
Thurrock Council has launched a Grays Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) consultation and would like to hear views from local residents and businesses.
The PSPO was introduced in April 2017 to address street drinking and anti-social behaviour in the town centre. The council is now considering extending the current PSPO due to expire at the end of March 2020.

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