News | Thurrock Council

Accounts get a clean bill of health for the sixth year in a row

25 November 2020

Independent external auditors have found that Thurrock Council's financial reporting and value for money plans are in good health and do not require any moderation.
This is the sixth consecutive annual external audit to come to the same conclusion. Two separate independent external auditors performed the audit over the last three occasions, and both reached the same conclusion.
The report, which auditors from accountancy firm BDO presented to members of the Standards and Audit Committee at their meeting yesterday evening (Tuesday 24 November), says:

Thameside Theatre brings panto online for 2020

23 November 2020

Panto season is back with a special edition of Sleeping Beauty for Thurrock residents to enjoy at home, thanks to Thurrock Council's Thameside Theatre and production company Polka Dot Pantomimes.
For the first time, the theatre has teamed up to offer a professionally pre-recorded performance available to watch online from Monday 14 December 2020 to Sunday 3 January 2021.

Additional support for small businesses and the self-employed

23 November 2020

Thurrock Council will help small businesses with a £3.5 million grant scheme launched today, designed to help those that have not been eligible for other grants.
The Additional Restrictions Grant (Discretionary) has been created by Thurrock Council, using Government funding, to help smaller businesses which have been affected by COVID-19 restrictions and work from home or provide services from rented halls or other similar premises.

Joint statement on Lower Thames Crossing

23 November 2020

Joint statement from Thurrock Council and Gravesham Borough Council
The Lower Thames Crossing is one of the largest transport infrastructure projects we will see in our lifetimes.
While we are yet to understand the full reasons behind the withdrawal or what feedback Highways England has received from the Planning Inspectorate, the impact a project of this scale will have on our communities means it is only right that as much time as necessary is taken to ensure every last detail of the project is understood and has been assessed thoroughly.

Time-lapse camera captures the transformation of Grays

20 November 2020

Works set to transform Grays reached a significant milestone recently as the construction of a new Civic Centre extension started.
To capture the first of many transformational projects set to regenerate the town, a time-lapse camera has been installed. The camera lets residents to watch real-time, minute-by-minute footage of the building work, by going to thurrock.gov.uk/timelapse

Christmas comes early as Give a Gift opens for online donations

20 November 2020

Christmas has arrived in Thurrock as online donations for Give a Gift 2020 open today.
Now in its fifth year, Give a Gift gives people the opportunity to donate a Christmas present to a local child in need for whom Christmas can be a difficult time of year.
This year, due to government's coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance, unfortunately there will not be a store at intu Lakeside Shopping Centre as in previous years. Instead, Give a Gift will be run online to ensure the safety of our residents and council staff.

Chance for residents to help secure funding for Grays

19 November 2020

Grays Towns Board is asking residents to share their feedback, ideas and suggestions to help ensure the Town Fund Deal is the right deal for the people who live and work in Grays.
The Grays Town Fund website is now live. It gives local residents and businesses the opportunity to:

Injunction extended against anti-social tenant

18 November 2020

A council tenant who assaulted and threatened neighbouring residents has been banned from Poole House, Chadwell St Mary.
On Friday 13 November, the original injunction that Thurrock Council had been granted against Joseph Sharpe, 26, formerly of 3 Poole House, was extended to Saturday 13 November 2021 at Basildon County Court.

Support grants for businesses that close due to restrictions

17 November 2020

Applications for the government's new Restrictions Support grant are now open.
The grant is available to all businesses that were open on 4 November but, by law, have had to close or cease their main business during the current lockdown.
Each eligible property will receive a one-off payment of:

Thurrock Council welcomes funding for vulnerable families

16 November 2020

Thurrock Council will be using newly announced government funding to support those most in need with the cost of food and essential utility bills.
Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Cabinet Member for Education, said “I am delighted with this announcement from the government and thank them for the additional funds to ensure vulnerable families in Thurrock will be provided for this winter, and on into next year during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.