News

The second in a series of Repairs Action Days took place this week (Wednesday 11 December), giving council tenants across the borough the chance to receive advice and support on their housing.

The action days kicked off on Tuesday 19 November 2024 with a community pop-up event at Koala Park in Tilbury.

As the festive period gets underway, councils from across the region are asking people to think about opening their lives up to fostering.

For many people, Christmas is a time when friends and family come together to indulge in the festivities, but for thousands of children across England who cannot safely live at home, it can be a challenging time.

Across the East of England, there are 7000 children in care.

Foster carers, Bev and Steve were inspired to start fostering on Christmas Eve, after a chance encounter with a child that needed a home.

Vulnerable residents in Thurrock have been gifted festive hampers containing food and essentials for the Christmas period, thanks to Thurrock Council and several of its housing contractors, sub-contractors and consultants.

With proposals for a new ward map for Thurrock set to go Parliament for a decision early next year, Thurrock Council has launched a consultation on proposals for polling station locations.

The consultation asks residents to have their say on proposals to divide wards into polling districts to make sure everyone has access to a polling station and can vote on polling day.

Cllr Vikki Hartstean, Cabinet member for Children's Services, has issued a statement following industrial action by teachers which took place at Gable Hall School, in Stanford-le-Hope, today.

Cllr Hartstean said: “The priority for Thurrock Council is ensuring that children have access to a high-quality education. We are carefully monitoring the situation and I hope that the trust and the union can quickly reach an agreement so that this situation does not further impact pupils, who should be focussing on their education.

Grays Christmas Tree came to life on Monday 9 December, following a special tree lighting ceremony which took place in the High Street.

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Sue Shinnick, officially switched on the lights following a Christmas event that included Christmas pop hits, carols and songs from local school choirs, a procession of princesses, and even a special appearance from Father and Mrs Christmas.

New boundaries for Thurrock Council’s wards will go to Parliament for decision following a Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC) review of the council’s ward arrangements.

The recommendations put forward by the LGBC will change the boundaries of all the borough’s wards, however Thurrock will continue to have 49 councillors representing 20 wards - nine of which will be represented by three councillors and 11 of which will be represented by two councillors - despite the boundary changes.

Residents in Thurrock benefited from a range of advice and support that could help with the cost of living at the first Thurrock Cares Roadshow held on Monday 25 November at Aveley Community Hub.

Grays High Street Christmas Tree lights will be officially switched on by the Deputy Mayor of Thurrock Council at a special event on Monday 9 December.

Cllr Sue Shinnick, Deputy Mayor of Thurrock, said: “I am really looking forward playing my part in helping to bring the joy of Christmas to Grays High Street by switching the Christmas tree lights on this year.

“I would especially like to thank DP World London Gateway who have supplied the tree this year. It is great that we have been able to work with them to support Christmas in Grays Town Centre.

Thurrock Council’s highways teams had a busy weekend over Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November as they cleared tree sand branches blocking roads and footpaths.

In all the team attended and cleared 23 obstructions as Storm Bert hit Thurrock.

Thurrock Council is responsible for over 350 miles of roads along with pavements, traffic signs, guardrails, road markings and other street furniture in the borough.

Weather and cold conditions are monitored and crews are on stand-by to help keep the borough moving.