News | Thurrock Council

Feedback given on initial plans for Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex

8 May 2025

On Friday 21 March, all other 15 councils across Greater Essex, including Thurrock Council, joined the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in submitting an initial interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation.
On Wednesday 7 May, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) provided feedback on our joint submission. This feedback has been provided in the form of a letter to the Chief Executives of all 15 councils and the Office of the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner. This was followed by a verbal briefing.

Free event to help parents and carers prepare children for school

7 May 2025

Parents and carers across Thurrock are invited to a special, free event to help them prepare their children for the exciting step of starting school or nursery this September.
'Day of fun with your little one!' will take place on Saturday 7 June 2025, from 9.30am to 2pm, at South Essex College, High Street, Grays, RM17 6TF.
The event will offer parents practical advice and activities focused on developing children's literacy, numeracy, and language skills through play at home.

Grays vape shop forced to close after illegal cigarettes and vapes were found

2 May 2025

Magistrates have ordered a Grays vape shop to close for a month after Thurrock Trading Standards officers found illegal tobacco and vapes during an inspection.
Officers carried out the inspection at Shelby's, in Clarence Road, Grays, at the start of April after concerns were raised that the shop was selling tobacco and vaping products to underage children. During their search, which was assisted by Billy the tobacco-detecting dog, officers found over 22,000 illegal cigarettes and more than 250 illegal vapes.

Planning Team making good progress

2 May 2025

A programme to improve the council's planning function is making good progress according to a peer review team.
The peer review team revisited Thurrock Council in late January after carrying out a review of planning in Thurrock in late 2023. They were looking into what progress had been made based on recommendations they made following their review.

Ockendon Ward by-election results

1 May 2025

The Ockendon Ward by-election results have been declared and Alan Benson (Reform UK) and Russell Cherry (Reform UK) have been elected as councillors.
Votes were as follows:
Alan Benson (Reform UK) - 1,214
Russell Cherry (Reform UK) - 1,138
Sue Johnson (Conservative Party) - 533
Shalini Bhatt (Labour Party) - 478
Graham Snell (Conservative Party) - 439
Haruna Hamza (Labour Party) - 438
Ri Goodyear (Green Party) - 93
Daniel Fallows (Green Party) - 86
Brad Hayman (Liberal Democrats) - 74

Single parents make great foster carers: Caroline’s story

1 May 2025

Caroline, a single mum and now proud grandma, has been fostering with Thurrock Council for eight years and has helped change the lives of around 30 children.

Her journey into fostering wasn’t immediate. It took several years of thought, attending information events, and the right life circumstances before she decided to apply.

While working full-time at a local council, Caroline was concerned about how she could balance fostering with the demands of her job.

Ongoing support available for new and expectant parents in Thurrock

30 April 2025

Ahead of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (Monday 5 May to Sunday 11 May), Thurrock Council is highlighting the vital free support available to new and expectant parents through regular sessions at Family Hubs across the borough.
Family Hubs (previously known as Children Centres) bring together in one place the free health, education and parenting support that families may need for their children aged 0-19, young people up to age 25 with SEND, and parents/carers.
All sessions offered by Thurrock's Family Hubs are free.

Thurrock Council to elect a new Leader at Annual Council in May

29 April 2025

Cllr John Kent, who has been Leader of Thurrock Council since May 2024, has announced he will be resigning as Leader, with a new Leader to be elected at Annual Council on 21 May.
Thurrock Council’s Annual Council marks the start of the new municipal year when Thurrock councillors meet to appoint a new mayor and deputy mayor, confirm the membership of the council’s committees including Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny committees, as well as agreeing the timetable for the year ahead.

Making holiday memories as a foster carer

25 April 2025

Claire and Danny have been fostering for nearly four years, but their dream of becoming foster carers has been many more years in the making.
As parents to a young family, they had always hoped to open their home to children in care, but they waited until their own children had grown up and moved out to free up the space and time they needed to foster. Since then, their home has become a place of love, laughter, and life-changing memories.

Hundreds register to play outdoor activity game in South Ockendon and Aveley

25 April 2025

Almost 800 players have already registered to play an innovative physical activity game that has been launched in South Ockendon and Aveley.
Beat the Street launched on Wednesday 23 April and is running until Wednesday 21 May, thanks to funding from a National Lottery Grant from Sport England.