News

Thurrock awarded new funding to upgrade council homes

21 March 2024
Residents living in council properties are set to benefit from almost £4-million of funding to help keep council homes warm and reduce energy bills. 
On Monday 18 March, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero awarded Thurrock Council £3,982,476.19 to improve the energy efficiency of over 200 council properties. 
The funding; which has been awarded through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund: Wave 2.2, will be used to ensure that 206 council properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of E or lower will be upgraded to an EPC of C or higher. 

Thurrock's Next Top Boss 2024 winner announced

20 March 2024
On Wednesday 20 March, a group of students from St Clere's School in Stanford-le-Hope were announced as the winners of Thurrock's Next Top Boss 2024.
Thurrock's Next Top Boss is an annual competition that gives young people aged 14-25 years old the opportunity to work with local employers on real business challenges.
This year marked the 14th year of the competition and was partnered by Trunk Logistics; a removal and storage company based in Grays.

Mayor and Leader share tribute following the death of Luke Mackenzie, Mayor of Basildon

15 March 2024
Thurrock Council Mayor, Cllr Sue Little, and Leader, Cllr Andrew Jefferies, have paid tribute to Mayor of Basildon, Luke Mackenzie, who has tragically passed away.
In a joint statement they said:
"We are deeply saddened to learn of Luke's passing and our thoughts go out to his family at this difficult time.
"Luke was a real friend and a dedicated public servant who worked hard to serve the people of Basildon and the county of Essex. His loss will be felt acutely across Basildon and neighbouring councils.

Legal proceedings confirmed

14 March 2024
Thurrock Council can confirm that proceedings have been issued in the High Court against Liam Kavanagh. We are advised not to say more at this stage but will provide further information when we are able to do so.
Find out more about the council’s intervention and improvement.

Local Development Order will pave way for London Gateway Logistics Park investment

6 March 2024
A new Local Development Order (LDO) will help unlock growth by clearing the way for the development of the London Gateway Logistics Park.
Local Development Order 1.5 replaces the original LDO, which was granted in 2013. The original order granted permission up to 829,700 square metres of commercial floorspace. It expired in November 2013 with 337,225 square metres of floorspace having been completed or consented on site.

Secondary school places for September 2024

1 March 2024
Over three-quarters of pupils who are expected to begin secondary school in Thurrock this September have been offered their top school choice.
Results announced today (Friday 1 March), revealed that 77.7% of students will be able to attend their most preferred school, with 91.1% of children being allocated one of their top 3 preferences.
This is a welcomed increase of 3.5% more students being allocated a space in one of their top 3 preference schools in comparison to the year before, despite 2,522 applications.

Council Tax 2024/25

29 February 2024
Budget Council has approved a Council Tax increase of 5.99% plus a 2% adult social care precept, a total increase of 7.99%.
Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: "This decision will help Thurrock Council continue to ensure that funding is available for vital services, while the council continues on its journey to financial recovery.

Toucan proceeds will pay down over half a billion pounds of debt

21 February 2024
Thurrock Council has received just over £510m in payments following the sale of Toucan Energy Holdings, which the council will use to pay down debt.
Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: "This not only allows us to pay down a significant amount of debt, and reduces the borrowing costs associated with that debt, it also provides further clarity to our financial position as we continue to work towards Thurrock Council's financial recovery.

Enrol for new courses starting at Thurrock Adult Community College

15 February 2024
Thurrock Adult Community College (TACC) is now enrolling for new courses starting after the February half-term, having recently moved to its new location at The Old Court House, Orsett Road, Grays.
There's a wide variety of courses available to help you learn new skills, find employment or progress in a current role.
Courses on offer include:
childcare
teaching assistants
bookkeeping
health and social care
There are also courses to help with English, maths and digital skills.

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Media enquiries

Journalists and media professionals can make enquiries from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, 01375 652 017 or at communicationsteam@thurrock.gov.uk.

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