News

Make next Christmas a family Christmas for a child in care

12 December 2024
As the festive period gets underway, councils from across the region are asking people to think about opening their lives up to fostering.

For many people, Christmas is a time when friends and family come together to indulge in the festivities, but for thousands of children across England who cannot safely live at home, it can be a challenging time.

Across the East of England, there are 7000 children in care.

Foster carers, Bev and Steve were inspired to start fostering on Christmas Eve, after a chance encounter with a child that needed a home.

Bringing Christmas cheer to vulnerable residents in Thurrock

12 December 2024
Vulnerable residents in Thurrock have been gifted festive hampers containing food and essentials for the Christmas period, thanks to Thurrock Council and several of its housing contractors, sub-contractors and consultants.

Cabinet Member for Children's Services statement on industrial action at borough school

11 December 2024
Cllr Vikki Hartstean, Cabinet member for Children's Services, has issued a statement following industrial action by teachers which took place at Gable Hall School, in Stanford-le-Hope, today.
Cllr Hartstean said: “The priority for Thurrock Council is ensuring that children have access to a high-quality education. We are carefully monitoring the situation and I hope that the trust and the union can quickly reach an agreement so that this situation does not further impact pupils, who should be focussing on their education.

Have your say on polling stations

11 December 2024
With proposals for a new ward map for Thurrock set to go Parliament for a decision early next year, Thurrock Council has launched a consultation on proposals for polling station locations.
The consultation asks residents to have their say on proposals to divide wards into polling districts to make sure everyone has access to a polling station and can vote on polling day.

Tree-mendous Christmas event in Grays

10 December 2024
Grays Christmas Tree came to life on Monday 9 December, following a special tree lighting ceremony which took place in the High Street.
Deputy Mayor, Cllr Sue Shinnick, officially switched on the lights following a Christmas event that included Christmas pop hits, carols and songs from local school choirs, a procession of princesses, and even a special appearance from Father and Mrs Christmas.

A new political map for Thurrock Council

3 December 2024
New boundaries for Thurrock Council’s wards will go to Parliament for decision following a Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC) review of the council’s ward arrangements.
The recommendations put forward by the LGBC will change the boundaries of all the borough’s wards, however Thurrock will continue to have 49 councillors representing 20 wards - nine of which will be represented by three councillors and 11 of which will be represented by two councillors - despite the boundary changes.

Christmas comes to Grays

29 November 2024
Grays High Street Christmas Tree lights will be officially switched on by the Deputy Mayor of Thurrock Council at a special event on Monday 9 December.
Cllr Sue Shinnick, Deputy Mayor of Thurrock, said: “I am really looking forward playing my part in helping to bring the joy of Christmas to Grays High Street by switching the Christmas tree lights on this year.
“I would especially like to thank DP World London Gateway who have supplied the tree this year. It is great that we have been able to work with them to support Christmas in Grays Town Centre.

Cllr Mark Hooper joins primary school pupils for tree planting day

29 November 2024
Cllr Mark Hooper, Cabinet Member for Health and Well-being, joined pupils from Stifford Clays Primary School to plant trees as part of National Tree Week.
On Thursday 28 November, three trees were planted at Blackthorn Park in Stifford Clays.
The trees were provided by Thurrock Council and pupils were supported with the planting by the council's arboriculture team.
Pupils from Stifford Clays Primary School were involved throughout the planning process, with 18 children aged five to 11 from their school council choosing the types of trees that would be planted.

Cabinet Members join community engagement session to raise awareness of Gender-Based Violence

29 November 2024
Cabinet Members and Councillors joined Thurrock Council's Community Safety team to speak to residents about Gender-Based Violence.
It is estimated that almost one in three women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, none-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their lives.
As part of the UN Women's 16 Days of Activism campaign against Gender-Based Violence, Thurrock Council hosted two community engagement sessions at South Essex College and Grays Train Station on Thursday 28 November.

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