Conservatives call for action over GP numbers

LOCAL Conservatives are calling for a review of GP services in Thurrock to be the first task of the council’s new Health and Wellbeing Board.
The new Board consists of councillors and healthcare experts, and will play a major role in setting the council’s health priorities for Thurrock. Conservative Board member Cllr Shane Hebb used today’s inaugural meeting to call for a thorough review into GP services. The Government recently criticised out-of-hours’ services, such as weekend and evening care.

Council launch probe into handling of Baldwin enquiries..or have they?

THURROCK TORIES claim that Thurrock Council will launch its own investigation into the handling of requests for information surrounding possible benefits probes surrounding a Tilbury councillor. Last week, it was reported that Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park ward councillor and mum-of-ten Claire Baldwin was involved in an investigation by Epping Forest District Council into an alleged housing benefit matter.

Thurrock MPs give reasons for voting against same sex marriage bill

BOTH THURROCK MPs have explained their reasons for voting against the same sex marriage bill in the House of Commons on Monday night.
It was a free vote, and the Bill passed 366 to 161. Thurrock MP, Jackie Doyle-Price said: “My position is as it has always been. I support equality for same sex couples, but for me marriage is a sacrament, it is not a creation of the state.

Leader Kent unimpressed with no “None of the above” option

THURROCK Council Leader, Cllr John Kent, says he is disappointed the government consultation of the Thames Crossing does not offer a None of the above option.

Speaking on Tuesday (21 May), Cllr Kent said: “Our own poll over the past few months has made it perfectly clear we do not want any more crossings in our borough.”

Woodside Academy blooming despite admission changes block

THURROCK Council Leader, Cllr John Kent, says he welcomes the decision of the Schools Adjudicator over admission proposals by one of the borough’s new academies.

Woodside Academy in Grangewood Avenue, Little Thurrock, had wanted to change its admission criteria to give precedence to children in its nursery classes.

Minister defends Dartford Crossing consultation

THE ROADS transport minister, Stephen Hammond came to the Dartford Crossing on Tuesday morning (May 21st) to launch the consultation on the next crossing across the Thames. Option A is the site of the existing Dartford to Thurrock crossing. Option B would connect the A2 with the A1089 (near to ASDA Tilbury), while option C would join the M2 in Kent with the A13 and M25 going through Chadwell and Orsett.

Time for Labour to grow up over scrutiny committees says Tories

THE importance of scrutiny has been highlighted by Thurrock Conservatives ahead of the start of the new council year. Leader of the Conservatives Cllr Phil Anderson said “There were no elections in Thurrock this year, and so like last year Labour still have a majority and will be running the council again.

Baroness questions delays on asylum seekers

My Lords, asylum seekers sometimes wait years for a decision and delays are increasing. As we have heard, that leaves genuine refugees in limbo and makes it harder to send failed cases home. We currently have a shambolic situation whereby 300,000 people are trapped in the immigration asylum backlog, with 90,000 cases being written off so far or given effective amnesty because papers have been lost in some cases.

Minister scales the height as he praises apprenticeship scheme with DP World and South Essex College

COMMUNITIES minister Brandon Lewis praised the apprenticeships scheme launched by DP World London Gateway and South Essex College as he visited the site on Monday morning. Showing a head for heights, Mr Lewis joined by local mp, Stephen Metcalfe, principal of South Essex College, Angela O’Donoghue and chief executive of DP World London Gateway, Simon Moore as they ascended the 200 metre cranes at the port.

South Essex College responds to government cuts

SOUTH Essex College will safeguard the quality of teaching and learning despite the latest round of Government funding cuts, insists Principal and Chief Executive, Angela O’Donoghue.Angela said: “These are difficult times, but our focus and our top priority is our students. None of us will allow Government funding cuts to prevent this College from offering a fantastic education to the thousands of people who walk through our doors every year.”

Educating engineers is the key to Thurrock’s future says Metcalfe

As a result of some of the initiatives, we are beginning to see an improvement in the uptake of engineering and particularly in the number of engineering apprentices and apprenticeships in our economy. Today, just before I came here, I had some very good news. DP World, which is constructing the London Gateway container port down at Shell Haven in my constituency, will on Monday announce the creation of six new engineering apprenticeships to support the engineering activity that takes place on that site. To see £1.5 billion invested in south Essex is great, but the engineering feat—the reclamation of the land and then the handling of millions of containers—is a fantastic sight and something that will, we hope, excite those six potential engineers.

Thurrock councillor at centre of benefit probe

A TILBURY councillor has found herself at the centre of a housing benefits investigation. YT understands that the probe into Tilbury councillor Claire Baldwin has been led by Epping Forest District Council and centres on property in the Loughton area.

…and MEP Howitt rounds on Metcalfe over Cameron rebellion

THURROCK’S MEP, Richard Howitt has criticised South Basildon and East Thurrock MP, Stephen Metcalfe after the MP joined 113 other Tores in voting to regret the absence of an in-out referendum bill in the Queen’s speech. Mr Howitt said: “David Amess, MP for Southend West; John Baron, MP for Basildon and Billericay; James Duddridge, MP for Rochford & Southend East; Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow; Bernard Jenkin, MP for Harwich & Essex North; Stephen Metcalfe, MP for Basildon South & Thurrock East; Priti Patel, MP for Witham and John Whittingdale, MP for Maldon went against their own Government on their Queen’s Speech.

Former Mayor’s allegations rejected

THE senior legal officer of Thurrock Council has taken the unusual step of issuing a public statement in the wake of a string of allegations against a Borough councillor by a former Mayor. Colin Churchman, a former Conservative mayor, issued a public statement, distributed to local councillors, MPs and the media calling on Thurrock Conservative leader Cllr Phil Anderson to mount an investigation into a councillor Mr Churchman believes has acted inappropriately in planning matters.

Pressure groups slam Thurrock MP over EU referendum vote

THE all-party People’s Pledge campaign has condemned local MP Jackie Doyle Price for failing to vote for an EU referendum in Parliament on Tuesday May 14th.

The People’s Pledge ran a ballot in the Thurrock constituency last year that showed that 89% of local voters favoured the holding of an EU referendum. The constituency was chosen by the People’s Pledge because Ms Doyle Price had voted in the House of Commons in October 2011 against holding a referendum.

Council launches school transport consultation

THURROCK Council has launched two public consultations into the future of home-to-school transport for the borough’s young people.
They are the School Transport Consultation (for ages eight to 11) which runs until 2 July, and the School Transport Consultation (for post-16) which will close a little earlier on 18 June.

Stanford-le-Hope town centre flats and store scheme backed

DESPITE an impassioned plea from a ward councillor and the leader of the town’s community forum, the green light has been given for the sell-off of land in Stanford-le-Hope for a new flats and shop scheme.
At Tuesday’s meeting of Thurrock Council’s Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee the last hurdle for the multi-million pound scheme for 22 new flats, a supermarket and a new two deck public car park was cleared.

Tories call for not so quiet revolution in education

THE Conservative education spokesman has reacted to Labour Councillor Oliver Gerrish’s resignation as cabinet member for education. Homesteads Councillor James Halden said “Oliver has always been extremely polite and earnest in his dealings with me, and I did send him a short message last week to personally wish him well.”

Polly backs State Cinema to 02 campaign

“I hope O2 is encouraged to look at the feasibility of the idea. What started on Twitter and Facebook is growing in strength as more and more residents support the idea. It shows there is great enthusiasm in Thurrock to make Grays a dynamic town centre and that many people want to use this historic building in a way that will benefit the community and bring in visitors.

Thurrock MP welcomes plans to strengthen probation service

LAST year 600,000 crimes were committed by people who had broken the law before. 212 people who had done time for murder were convicted of new offences. 3292 people who had been convicted of rape were convicted of fresh offences.

Jackie said, “clearly there is something not right with a regime which half of all offenders leave prison and commit fresh crimes which see them locked up again within a year. Of course our prison regime is about punishment, but it is about rehabilitation too. It is bad for public safety that criminals are simply released into the community simply to reoffend.

Tories slam council “fat cat salaries”

THE number of council staff receiving over £100,000 a year has risen by 40% after Labour took over Thurrock Council, according to latest top pay figures say the Thurrock Conservative group. A report compiled by the Taxpayers’ Alliance shows that in 2010/11, 10 council staff received a six figure package. In 2011/12, this had risen to 14. The number, which represents almost £2 million in pay, pension contributions and one pay-off, is higher than equivalent figures for Barking (10 staff) and Southend – who have just 7. These figures follow a damning report in February showing staff being paid more than £50,000 per year was up over 50%.

New Crossing: Leader thanks hundreds who voted

THURROCK Council’s Leader has thanked the hundreds of people who have taken part in online and paper polls about future river crossings in the borough. As the government’s consultation on a new Thames crossing in Thurrock approaches, Cllr John Kent said: “Over 800 people have had their say and there’s one overwhelming conclusion: we don’t want another crossing here. I want to thank each and every one of them for sharing their opinion.”

Bin Collections: Same Service, Different Day

FROM Monday, June 3, Thurrock Council will be making changes to waste and recycling rounds across the borough, but it will only affect the day of collections – nothing else. Cllr Victoria Holloway, portfolio holder for environment, said on Thursday (9 May): “Thurrock Council is committed to providing weekly collections for all three waste and recycling streams – general waste, recycling and kitchen/garden waste.

Thurrock MP welcomes Basildon Hospital “death rates” review

If anyone wishes to share their story they can either do so through me or directly to the Care Quality Commission by telephone on 03000 616161; by email at enquiries@cqc.org.uk; or in writing to CQC National Customer Service Centre, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PA. Comments about Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital can also be made directly and anonymously via the CQC website.