News | Thurrock Council

Parking statement

16 January 2018

Thurrock Council has completed a thorough, service-wide review of parking which saw a limited number of pay and display machines temporarily suspended in Grays and Cromwell House, Purfleet. Historical issues, including administrative errors, have been uncovered from 2015 which have impacted on subsequent years. Action is now being taken to put this right.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill said: "A number of discrepancies have been identified following the in-depth review and an action plan is in place to rectify the historical errors.

£2.3 million for borough improvements announced

15 January 2018

Thurrock Council's Portfolio Holder for Finance announced the council has surplus of £2.3million – the result of exceptional commercial investments bringing in additional income during 2017/18.

Thurrock 7 year-olds continue to excel

9 January 2018

The proportion of 7 year-olds reaching the expected standard in most subjects in school has continued to be ahead of national averages in the last 12 months, according to figures from the Department for Education.
The tests – commonly referred to as Key Stage 1 (KS1) – are teacher-assessed and showed better results locally when compared to the national picture. 2,400 pupils took part locally across all state-funded schools.

One week left to apply for primary school places

9 January 2018

The deadline for applying for primary school places in Thurrock is fast approaching.
Applications should be sent in by 11:59pm, Monday 15 January – although it's best to apply as soon as possible.
Parents and carers of children who were born between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014 must apply for a reception school place for September 2018.

Fair Debt Summit announced

2 January 2018

Thurrock Council's Portfolio Holder for Finance has announced he will chair a Fair Debt Summit.
At the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 13 December 2017, Cllr Shane Hebb announced that the Fair Debt Summit would meet in early 2018 to build on the innovative work of the debt recovery team at Thurrock Council.
Along with representatives from all parties and external bodies, the summit will look at three areas:

Council announces balanced books for not just one year, but two

2 January 2018

Thurrock Council's ambition of eliminating its reliance on national funding grants is on track, councillors have heard. For the first time in many years, Thurrock Council is on track to not only deliver a balanced budget for next year but to have already identified a balanced budget for the following year.
Furthermore it is anticipated that both this year and next will see extra funding available to fund one-off investments on council priorities – again, a first for the borough in many years.

Community college shortlisted for national award

20 December 2017

Thurrock Adult Community College (TACC) has been shortlisted for a national adult learning provider award for the second year in a row.
The college, based in Grays, has been highlighted for the Times Educational Supplement Further Education (TesFE) 2018 Adult and Community Learner Provider Award, held in association with the Education and Training Foundation. The awards celebrate excellent and innovative practice across the further education sector and are now in their seventh year.

Give a Gift wraps up for 2017

19 December 2017

1,850 children will now receive a present (or two) on Christmas day thanks to the generosity and support of everyone involved in this year’s Give a Gift project.
The project, launched in partnership with intu Lakeside on Tuesday 21 November closed the shops shutters for the final day last week (Tuesday 12 December).
In three short weeks thousands of presents have been donated, £7,500 has been raised for vulnerable children and volunteers spoke to 15 people interested in becoming a foster carer for Thurrock.

Cabinet agrees £300k for voluntary sector

19 December 2017

Cabinet has agreed how more than £300,000 of grants to the voluntary sector will be managed.
At the meeting this week (Wednesday 12 December), Members agreed that Thurrock CVS would continue administering the Voluntary Sector Corporate Grants Programme for three years starting in April 2018.
The programme is a key source of funding for the voluntary sector within Thurrock and helps support organisations such as Open Door, South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre, and Thurrock Play Network.

Residential care fit for the future

19 December 2017

A report heard at Cabinet last week (Wednesday 13 December) approved a new strategy to ensure current and future demand for residential care is met.
It included proposals of a new development in South Ockendon with accommodation and services 'fit for the 21st Century' and recommended further work to consider the detail, including funding the construction of the new facility.