News | Thurrock Council

Generosity of Thurrock shines through with Give a Gift campaign

7 January 2025

Thurrock’s Give a Gift campaign, supported by Thurrock Council, helped to ensure that vulnerable children and families across the borough could wake up to a gift on Christmas Day and enjoy a festive meal.
The campaign received incredible support from residents, local businesses and council staff. As a result, hundreds of toys and gifts were donated, as well as money for gift cards and food vouchers, which were then distributed to those most in need.
Through the generous donations, the campaign delivered:

A Christmas message from Cllr John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council

20 December 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on the year just gone, as we also start to make plans for the year ahead.
Since I became Leader of the Council following the local elections in May, I’ve been really pleased with the progress the council has made on our journey to recover from the financial problems caused by past investment decisions, always with the clear aim of reducing any impact on residents, and putting the foundations in place to build a better future for Thurrock.

Thurrock Museum awarded funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to bring communities together and celebrate Thurrock’s heritage

20 December 2024

Thurrock Museum has been awarded more than £140,000 to boost the care and understanding of its collections, by working with Thurrock’s diverse and new communities to explore the borough’s heritage and strengthen work-related skills.
The museum service, provided by Thurrock Council, will receive £144,531 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its new Routes to Roots: Sharing Thurrock’s Heritage with Communities New and Old project.

Local Development Order will help unlock growth in Thurrock

20 December 2024

A new Local Development Order (LDO) for the Thames Gateway Logistics Park will help unlock growth helping to create jobs and prosperity for local people.
An LDO provides permission for specific developments within a site, it ensures that the site as a whole conforms to planning regulations and it simplifies the planning process by removing the need for developers to obtain planning permission for certain developments on the site, helping to attract inward investment.

Car cruiser Public Space Protection Order extended for another three years

18 December 2024

Thurrock Council is extending the successful Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which prevents car cruising events from taking place in West Thurrock for another three years.
The PSPO was originally put in place in 2015 and since then has been extended three times. It gives the council and Essex Police the powers to crack down on the anti-social behaviour and disruption to residents and has been a real success in helping prevent and stop disruptive car cruiser events.

Hazardous step stools seized at Thurrock’s docks

18 December 2024

Thurrock Council’s Trading Standards Ports Team has seized a shipment of more than 550 unsafe step stools from cargo entering the Port of Tilbury.
The team intercepted the consignment containing 600 step stools on Monday 28 October 2024 during a routine safety inspection. The stools, which were imported to be sold on online marketplaces, were held while a sample was taken and sent for independent testing.

Warm Spaces in Thurrock

18 December 2024

With the rise in the cost of living, some people may have difficulties in heating their homes over the winter.
Warm Spaces in Thurrock are safe, welcoming places where residents are welcome to spend time staying warm, socialise with others, and access information and advice on keeping well through the winter.
There are a few ways to find your nearest warm space:
Thurrock Cares
As part of Thurrock Council's campaign to help people manage the cost of living, Thurrock Cares has a webpage dedicated to Warm Spaces in Thurrock.

Thurrock Council Cabinet Member for Children's Services issues statement following tragic death of a child in South Ockendon

17 December 2024

Cllr Vikki Hartstean, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, has issued a statement following the tragic death of a child in an incident in South Ockendon on Sunday 15 December.
Cllr Hartstean said: “I was shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Lincoln’s death. It is difficult to imagine the pain and suffering of his family, his friends and the community at Bonnygate Primary School.

Community group enjoys festive lunch at Belhus library

17 December 2024

Residents from two social groups; Club in the Hub and Library Friends, were invited down to Belhus Library on Friday 13 December to enjoy a festive celebration with a hot meal, Christmas crackers and a raffle.
Staff at Belhus Library also helped to organise quizzes and a sing-a-long for the guests to enjoy.
The lunch was made possible thanks to a £450 grant from the Thurrock CVS, Thurrock Community Micro Grants.
The funding is aimed at supporting local communities to provide support to those most affected by the cost of living crisis.

Response to English Devolution White Paper

17 December 2024

The Leaders of Thurrock Council, Essex County Council and Southend on Sea City Council have welcomed the publication of the Government’s English Devolution White Paper. This includes the opportunities it presents for improving services for residents and businesses.
Councillor John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: