News

Foster Care Fortnight, from Monday 15 May to Sunday 28 May, is the UK's biggest foster care awareness-raising campaign, organised by The Fostering Network. This year's theme is 'Fostering Communities'.

Cllr Barry Johnson, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "Here in Thurrock we are proud of our communities, and we have a successful fostering service striving to achieve the best outcome for children and young people.

The results of Thurrock Council's elections have been announced.

Elections took place in 16 of the borough's 20 wards yesterday (Thursday 4 May).

Following the count these are the results:

Brown bins are being collected across the borough next week from Monday 24 April. We will be collecting all brown bins whether you are 'Week 1' or 'Week 2'.

Please put your brown bin out from early on Monday 24 April and leave it out – it will be collected as soon as possible.

General refuse will be collected as usual.

We have put this temporary plan in place for next week to collect any garden waste which has built up in your bins. We are working hard to provide a consistent service and we apologise for any inconvenience.

Figures released today, Monday 17 April, show that the vast majority of children across Thurrock will receive one of their top 3 primary school choices for the September 2023 academic year.

From 2,311 applications, over 98% of children will have been offered one their top 3 places. 92% of applicants this year have been offered their first choice of primary school, an increase from 88% first choices offered in 2022.

Local election nominations have officially closed and the names of all candidates standing for election in Thurrock on Thursday 4 May have been released.

Details of candidates can be found at thurrock.gov.uk/elections

Polling cards have been delivered to eligible electors giving their voting details, polling station, voter ID requirements and how to apply for a postal or proxy vote. Polling hours on Thursday 4 May are from 7am until 10pm.

Thurrock Council is continuing to help vulnerable households across the borough thanks to an additional £2.59million of UK Government funding for the Household Support Fund, which will be distributed throughout the 2023/24 financial year.

The funding will be used to provide essential support to households most in need, including:

The winner of the 13th Thurrock's Next Top Boss programme has been announced at a hybrid awards ceremony this afternoon (Thursday 23 March 2023).

This year 8 Thurrock schools responded to a business challenge set by c2c, to consider how c2c can increase community support with a £50,000 budget, along with a range of impacts.

Team 'C2Sanitary' from Grays Convent High School was announced as the winner, and team 'SIBJAMZ' from St Clere's School as runner-up.

Thurrock Enterprise Week arrives this June, offering 5 days of exciting engagement events, networking opportunities, panel discussions and more for local businesses.

Taking place from Monday 12 June to Friday 16 June 2023, the week will bring together businesses, experts and services to inspire entrepreneurship and promote growth by exploring a number of different themes. These will include how local businesses can strengthen and grow, assess carbon reduction options and access opportunities to access public sector contracts.

Works continue to progress at a site in Loewen Road, Chadwell St Mary, which is being transformed into 4 affordable homes for Thurrock residents.

Thurrock Council appointed chartered building contractor, Marfleet and Blyth, in August 2022 to replace a single house with 4 new 3-bedroom homes, as it continues to help meet the affordable housing needs of the borough.

Demolition started in October last year. Works completed to date include the foundations and groundworks and installation of fencing to the rear boundary.

Dr Dave Smith arrived in Thurrock today to take up the role of Managing Director Commissioner of the council. The new appointment was announced last week by the government's Minister for Local Government and Building Safety. This is part of the expansion of the ongoing intervention at Thurrock Council led by a Commissioner team from Essex County Council.

Dave said: "Thurrock Council is facing some of the greatest challenges ever faced by a local authority, and the scale of the task ahead should not be underestimated.