News

Ofsted report highlights a step change in support for SEND

10 February 2022
A report published by Ofsted today, Thursday 10 February, has praised Thurrock Council's special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services as having made "sufficient progress" and improvements across a number of key areas.
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited Thurrock from 13 December to 15 December 2021 to assess the levels of progress made by the council in addressing areas identified as needing focus and development, highlighted through a joint local area SEND Ofsted inspection report in April 2019.

Proposals for balanced budget focus on children and adult social care

10 February 2022
Thurrock Council's Cabinet has set out proposals for a balanced budget next year, which will see a spending boost for children and adult social care.
Cllr Shane Hebb said: "We want to ensure that any extra money provided from council tax will be for key services which deal with the caring and wellbeing of the borough’s most vulnerable children and adults - and so the increase will be ring-fenced to social care need.

Help protect green spaces in the borough

9 February 2022
Thurrock Council is seeking residents' views on Green Spaces as part of the Local Plan, which will guide development in the borough until 2040.
Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "We know just how important green spaces are for residents, they are places to meet, exercise and enjoy the outdoors. That is why we want to hear from residents about the green spaces near them which are important to communities but are not currently designated as Local Green Spaces.

Have your say and shape your local area

8 February 2022
Thurrock Council is inviting residents from across the borough to have their say and help shape where they live and work.
The council is continuing to host a series of online events as part of its Local Plan consultation, inviting residents to come along and tell us what they feel is important in their local area now, and in the future. The Local Plan consultation will help shape future development in Thurrock up to 2040, so these events are an important opportunity to play your part and help us plan ahead.

Thank you to our Thurrock Foster Carers

8 February 2022
Foster Carers in Thurrock make a huge difference to the lives of Thurrock children and young people, opening their homes and family to care for children who need to live away from their families.
Cllr Barry Johnson, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "We are delighted our residents and those living around Thurrock are hearing about the opportunity to join Thurrock Council's fostering community and the wonderful opportunities it offers to help support and shape a young person's life.

Jet patcher pilot programme reaps rewards for roads

7 February 2022
An 8-week pilot programme has seen a record number of repairs completed at almost half the cost across Thurrock's roads and highways.
The innovative programme – undertaken together with Thurrock Council's partner, Velocity – uses a device known as a jet patcher to fill cracks and potholes in roads. Once a crack or crevice has been found, the jet patcher fires bitumen and stone into the damaged road surface and firms it into place before allowing it to cool. Over the course of 2 months, more than 1,900 repairs were completed on roads across the borough.

National Apprenticeship Week celebrated with webinars

31 January 2022
A number of online webinars are taking place throughout National Apprenticeship Week this year, providing an exciting insight into how apprenticeships can provide people of all ages with the skills and experience to develop their career.
The daily sessions will be hosted online over the week from Monday 7 February to Sunday 13 February and will cover many different aspects of apprenticeships in fun and engaging ways. Sessions are available to book online on the Thurrock Opportunities website.

Second stage of clean-up operation completed

28 January 2022
On Saturday 22 January, Thurrock Council's Street Cleaning team and Community Safety Officers, in collaboration with Essex Police, completed the second stage of a clean-up operation in Grays to address residents' concerns of anti-social behaviour.
The teams focused on 2 areas – Orsett Road, behind Grays Baptist Church, and Bedford Road alleyway – which had been targeted by fly-tippers and other anti-social behaviour. Milton Road alleyway, just off Cromwell Road in Grays, will be completed in late February.

Community commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day

27 January 2022
School children, councillors and members of the Thurrock community have come together today (Thursday 27 January) to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day at a special service.

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