News

Thurrock Council has reaffirmed its commitment to continue work to find a sustainable future for the Tilbury to Gravesend ferry, following a motion put forward by Cllr Roy Jones.

The ferry had to halt its service earlier this year after an agreement to extend the current contract could not be made. Now Thurrock Council and Kent County Council are working together to find a long-term future for the service.

Adoption experts have described an 'unprecedented' decline in adoption rates. For the first time in recent years, there are now more children in need of adoption than those coming forward to adopt.

In comparison to adoption rates in 2022-23, there has been a 14% increase in children needing an adoptive family. Latest data also shows that 15% fewer children were placed with an adoptive family in the last 3 month.

A new council-supported bus service launching in September will link communities in Horndon on the Hill, Stanford-le-Hope, Tilbury, Chadwell St Mary and Grays.

The 375 bus will run from Monday to Saturday, on the hour, 5 times in each direction between 7am and 6:45pm. It will start from South Hill Crescent in Horndon on the Hill and ending at Grays Bus Station, taking in East Tilbury Station and Coalhouse Fort along the way.

Dedicated Thames Chase Conservation Volunteers have started work at the Oakwood and Ask Plantation in Belhus, helping to clear and tidy footpaths through the woods.

The volunteer team will cut back thick blackthorn hedges, slash long grass and clear brambles from obstructing the path.

Thurrock Council will use new powers to help stop drivers blocking the M25 Junction 31 roundabout.

The new powers mean that the council can fine drivers who block yellow box junctions at the Purfleet Interchange. Blocked junctions can cause significant traffic congestion throughout the Thurrock, as local traffic cannot get through when the M25 is blocked.

By law, for the first 6 months drivers will first receive a warning notice instead of a fine. They will only be fined during this period if they are found to have blocked the yellow box junction again.

Over the summer, 10 Community Big Lunches are being held in parks and open spaces across Thurrock.

Community Big Lunches are like free mini festivals, with lots of entertainment and opportunities to enjoy Thurrock without having to spend lots of money. These events have been created in partnership the borough's voluntary groups.

Events will take place on the following dates.

On Wednesday 10 July 2024, Thurrock Adult Community College (TACC) held its annual Learner of the Year Awards. The event recognised the outstanding achievements of adult learners and brought together students, staff, community partners and other interested groups to celebrate these achievements.

Responding to a letter from the new Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, inviting proposals from councils regarding devolution, Cllr John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council, said:

"I was delighted to receive such an early indication of the new Deputy Prime Minister's clear commitment to pushing power out of Whitehall to the regions, acknowledging that councils are best-placed to drive the kind of inclusive economic growth that our communities want and need.

Students from Thurrock Primary Schools were joined by singers from the Royal Opera and Ballet House as part of a special collection of performances for the 25th anniversary of Thurrock Junior Music Festival.

Over 1,120 children, aged 7 to 11, sang various songs including rock, pop and opera over 3 days of evening performances at The Civic Hall in Grays.

Thurrock Council's Mayor and Leader raised a flag and held a minute's silence today as they joined the borough's Srebrenican community in remembering the terrible events of the 1995 genocide, commemorating those that lost their lives and celebrating the resilience shown by survivors as they established new lives in Thurrock.