News | Thurrock Council

Christmas 1917 at the Thameside Complex

4 December 2017

Thurrock Museum Volunteers are presenting a free exhibition called 'Christmas 1917' at the Thameside Complex in Grays this December.
The exhibition reviews the events of 1917 at home and abroad, and looks at how people celebrated the festive season during World War 1.
Linking the group's previous shows, the year will be remembered for the Battle of Passchendaele, where British troops fought in a battle that became infamous for its mud and huge loss of life. Torrential rain turned the landscape into a thick mud bath that immobilised tanks and made weapons unusable.

An historic moment for Purfleet redevelopment

1 December 2017

The £1billion Purfleet regeneration project takes another step forward on Monday (4 December).
In the first phase of the ambitious project, there will be:
a bridge over the railway line to replace the level crossing
new road connections
additional school places
an integrated medical centre
a children’s play area
improvements to the riverfront walkway
new shops, cafés and restaurants
When the whole scheme is completed, there will be:

NHS consultation launched

1 December 2017

NHS England has published a wide-ranging consultation, which includes questions on the future of services currently provided at Orsett Hospital.
The consultation, run by the Mid and South Essex CCG Joint Committee, incorporates plans for 4 new Integrated medical centres across the borough, which were previously announced by Thurrock Council.
Portfolio Holder for Health, Cllr James Halden, said: "I welcome the publication of the consultation – we intend to respond fully and constructively. This is about getting hospital services closer to the people in modern facilities.

Highways England's assessment is flawed, argues Thurrock Council

1 December 2017

Thurrock Council has demanded that Highways England expand the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed Lower Thames Crossing.

Increased fines and new powers welcomed

30 November 2017

Council leaders have welcomed the government's announcement to increase the maximum fine for littering.
From April 2018, the government plans to allow councils to fine those caught littering a maximum of £150. The government also announced that for the first time, drivers will be responsible for any litter thrown from their cars.

Trading Standards nets 88,000 products in three months

24 November 2017

86% of the products examined by Thurrock Council Trading Standards are unsafe or non-compliant.
Between July and September, 97 consignments from countries including China, USA, Nigeria and Hong Kong were intercepted at ports and examined by the team.
Of 220 different products examined, 86% were found to be unsafe or non-compliant, and were stopped from making it into the hands of consumers.

Crackdown on abandoned vehicles continues

24 November 2017

Thurrock Council has continued its crackdown on unsightly abandoned vehicles in the borough.
Responding to complaints regarding vehicles left abandoned in Russell Road and Selwyn Road, Tilbury, officers from Thurrock Council's environment department identified 20 abandoned vehicles in the area during an operation on 17 November.
Notices were affixed to the cars, notifying the owners that the council will remove them after 15 days.

Give a Gift is Go!

24 November 2017

Sponsors, councillors, volunteers and foster carers have launched Give a Gift 2017 at a ribbon cutting ceremony this week (Tuesday 21 November).
Cllr Sue Little, Cabinet member for children’s social care, cut the ribbon and thanked all those who have made Give a Gift possible.
The Give a Gift project is a simple idea where people are asked to donate a present to a local child who is unlikely to receive a gift on Christmas morning.

Transgender Day of Remembrance observed

23 November 2017

Thurrock Council hosted a special flag raising event on Monday 20 November to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance.
The cabinet member responsible for equalities and diversity, Cllr Deb Huelin, joined residents and members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) Forum, to raise the Transgender Pride Flag outside the Civic Offices, Grays.
Residents and staff were also invited to a networking event in the afternoon, which offered transgender support and advice from the council’s LGBT+ Forum.

Leader announces review of war memorials and graves

21 November 2017

The Leader of Thurrock Council has announced a full review of the war memorials, monuments and graves in the borough ahead of next year's centenary marking the end of the First World War.
Cllr Rob Gledhill has asked officers, in consultation with the Royal British Legion and 'Friends of' groups, to investigate what can be done to improve the memorials, refresh the name plates and protect the monuments for future generations to pay their respects to those who have fallen.