News

Thurrock Council's Cabinet yesterday (Wednesday 15 July) approved plans to issue a tender for the building of 11 new council homes on two sites of underused garages in South Ockendon.

Planning permissions had already been granted to redevelop the underutilised sites, one to the rear of 20 – 52 Anton Road and the other to the rear of 86 - 124 Anton Road, to provide the new affordable homes. 

Thurrock Council is pleased to announce that it has selected a new Chief Executive, after nearly four years of Government intervention when the council was overseen by a Managing Director Commissioner.

The Members' Appointment Panel, Chaired by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Richard Bingley, made their final decision to appoint Deborah Ward unanimously on 1 July 2026, with the agreement of Local Government Commissioners.

On Friday 10 July Thurrock Council and the borough’s Bosnian community came together at an emotional ceremony which marked the anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide to honour the memory of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys who were murdered in July 1995. 

After the genocide, surviving Bosnian refugees were rescued and brought to the UK, with a small number transported to Orsett Hospital. Having received treatment and support, they now live in Thurrock, contributing to the Borough and helping others learn of their experiences.

Dear Residents,

Children across Thurrock are being invited to take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, which has launched in libraries across the borough this July. All children can sign up from Saturday 11 July and can start receiving their stickers from Monday 20 July.

Parents and carers across Thurrock are being encouraged to get involved in their local Family Hubs through a range of rewarding volunteering opportunities.

Family Hubs in all localities are offering opportunities for parents and carers to join the Parent Carer Panel or become an EPEC (Empowering Parents Empowering Communities) Parent Group Leader.

Both opportunities play an active role in shaping services, supporting other families, and building stronger communities.

Have your say through the Parent Carer Panel

Tributes have been paid to Terry Piccolo, who sadly passed away on Monday 6 July.

Mr Piccolo was Mayor of Thurrock from May 2019 until May 2021, the only person to ever serve two consecutive terms as Mayor of the borough. The flags at the council’s Civic Offices have been lowered to half-mast, to mark his passing.

He is survived by his wife Joan.

The interactive Beat the Street Tilbury and Chadwell St Mary challenge has come to an end, with more than 2,415 local residents clocking up an impressive 9,172 miles of active travel together.

The free six-week game transformed the streets of Tilbury and Chadwell St Mary into a giant interactive playground, encouraging residents of all ages to walk, run, cycle, scoot and wheel between ‘Beat Boxes’ to earn points and prizes.