News

Inconsiderate neighbour prosecuted after her waste filled garden puts neighbours at risk

12 November 2025
A woman has been forced to pay out more than £1,800 after a skip full of food and other waste caused public health issues for her neighbours by attracting pests and vermin.
Samantha Doyle, of Bata Avenue, East Tilbury, was fined £440 by Basildon Magistrates on Wednesday 5 November. She was also ordered to pay £1,200 costs and a £176 victim surcharge.
Thurrock Council’s Environmental Protection Team took action after receiving complaints from neighbours. The council was forced to take legal action after Ms Doyle refused to listen to warnings and orders to clear the rubbish.

Help Thurrock's vulnerable children have a Christmas to remember

6 November 2025
Residents of Thurrock can help to make sure that some of Thurrock's most vulnerable children wake up to a gift on Christmas day through the joint Give a Gift campaign with Thurrock Council and Impulse Leisure. 
Impulse Leisure is accepting donations of toys and gifts at any of their leisure centre sites, which will go to vulnerable children in Thurrock and those at Little Havens Children's Hospice. 
As an incentive, residents can save £50 on a new gym membership at the sites, when they donate two or more toys. 

Support available for private foster carers

5 November 2025
Thurrock Council is raising awareness of private fostering arrangements and sharing why it is important to let us know if you are in one.
Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (or under 18 if they are disabled) is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a ‘close relative’ for 28 days or more.
Examples of private foster carers could include a family friend, a great aunt or great-grandparent, family friends of the child or a more distant relative.

Cost of living campaign returns for second year to show residents that Thurrock Cares

31 October 2025
Thurrock Cares is back for a second year, building on the success of the cost-of-living campaign run last winter to ensure local residents could find the help they needed through the colder months.
The campaign, run in partnership by Thurrock Council, Thurrock CVS, and local community and voluntary sector organisations, makes it easy for local people to access financial support, help with food, debt advice, and warm spaces.

Thurrock Council host special event to boost SEND students' employability skills

30 October 2025
Young people with SEND from across Thurrock took part in a special workshop that looked to boost the skills they could use in their supported internships and future employment.
Thurrock Council hosted a fantastic skills day at Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre on 21 October, for USP College and South Essex College students on Supported Internships.
Supported internships are a structured, work-based study programme for 16- to 24-year-olds with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.

Tackling mould in our council homes

30 October 2025
New legislation, known as Awaab's Law, requires social housing landlords like Thurrock Council to investigate and resolve damp and mould hazards within set time periods.
Emergency hazards must be attended and removed within 24 hours, whilst significant hazards require investigation within 10 working days, with any removal works to be completed within 5 working days from the investigation. Written summaries will be provided following investigations and completion of works.

Celebrate safely in Thurrock this fireworks season

28 October 2025
As fireworks season approaches across Thurrock, the Council is reminding residents, community groups and local businesses to celebrate safely, responsibly and considerately. Whether hosting a small garden display or attending a local event, it’s important to plan and keep safety front of mind. 
Enjoy the season safely 

Protect young children this winter: Free flu vaccinations available for 2 and 3 year olds

28 October 2025
Parents and carers of young children in Thurrock are being encouraged to make sure their child receives their free flu vaccination this winter. Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children and may lead to serious complications, particularly for those under the age of five.
Free flu vaccinations are now available for 2 and 3 year olds through local GP practices and participating community pharmacies. This year, there is a renewed focus on making the vaccine as accessible as possible, with more vaccination sites available across the borough.

Thurrock memorial remembers the 39 Vietnamese victims six years on

26 October 2025
Today (Sunday 26 October), a memorial event was held to remember the 39 Vietnamese people whose bodies were found in Eastern Avenue, West Thurrock, in 2019, having tragically died at the hands of a criminal people-smuggling gang. 
Families of the victims were joined by local faith, civic and community leaders at West Thurrock Memorial Park, Hilltop Road, West Thurrock, where a permanent memorial and 39 trees honour those who lost their lives. The service included readings, a moment of silence, and the laying of wreaths.  

Sign-up for Thurrock News – our monthly email newsletter.

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.

For emergency media enquiries outside of these times, phone 07912 782 470.

The communications team email inbox is not monitored outside of office hours, so email media enquiries received out-of-hours may not be answered until the next working weekday.

We advise our staff, when approached directly by a member of the media, not to answer questions themselves but to refer you to the communications team who will provide our response.

We do not normally comment on individual cases or enquiries relating to council staff.