Thurrock Council, along with Basildon Council, is on the lookout for local firms which may be able to help them deliver the government’s Green Deal a new initiative designed to help home owners use more green technologies in their properties.

The idea is to install eco-friendly technology with no up-front costs – the costs will be paid off through energy bill over time. Unlike a conventional loan where an individual or organisation keeps paying, the Green Deal bill stays with the property.

The two councils are holding a free event to help firms find out all they need to know about the initiative, including advice on how to become an accredited Green Deal installer and how to make the most of the commercial opportunities.

Being held at The Wat Tyler Centre, Basildon, from 7.30pm to 10am on Tuesday, 25 June, the event will provide information on business opportunities, accreditation and qualification for supplying under the Green Deal, and training in Green Deal technology.

The event is open to all Essex-based, small and medium sized companies that are interested in the Green Deal, but will be particularly relevant for businesses that carry out a trade associated with green technology, for example; electricians, environmental consultants, builders, plumbers, roofers, or installers.

Cllr Andy Smith, Thurrock Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “This is a great opportunity for our small and medium-sized businesses to win new business and improve their green credentials at the same time.”

Anybody wishing to attend the event and find out more should use the simple online registration form available at http://thegreendealeventforbusiness.eventbrite.com/#

When Thurrock Council launched its six-month CCTV vehicle trial, local schools were invited to come up with a name as the car’s main aim is to try and bring an end to dangerous and thoughtless parking outside schools.

The winner was eight-year-old Jodie Fullerton, from Grays a pupil at St Thomas of Canterbury primary in Ward Avenue.

Her suggestion, PIPPA, won the competition and on Tuesday, portfolio holder for public protection, Cllr Angie Gaywood – with her shadow, Cllr Simon Wootton – visited the school with the car.

Jodie won £25 of Decathlon vouchers and her school received £100 of vouchers to spend too.

Cllr Gaywood said: “There was a really overwhelming response to the competition, with more than 650 entries overall.

“All of them were looked at very carefully and we would like to say a very big thank you to all the school children who took the time to enter.

“We know, when we have taken Pippa to some of our schools. that the pupils are really excited to see her – I don’t expect parents who do not take the time to park with care will share the same excitement – but the message is clear: please park properly to keep our children safe. Do that and you won’t get a ticket.”

She added that Pippa will be seen outside all local schools working hard to keep the children safe.

Cllr Wootton added: “We are asking parents and guardians to think carefully about how and where they park when they are taking or collecting children near schools.

“The best option – of course – is walking, but we know that is not always practical, so if you are going to drive please remember to park legally and safely’’

A big joint effort from residents and staff enabled them to raise £510 from a table top sale at the complex with refreshments and a raffle. The sale was attended by members of the public as well as some relatives of the residents.

Danielle Argent, the representative from The MacMillan Nurses came to Piggs Corner on Thursday 25 April to receive the cheque on their behalf and now someone in need will receive twenty hours of support from the nurses.

Cllr Fish congratulated Cllr Yash Gupta – whose term of office ended that night, saying: “Yash and Pushpa did a great job and will be a hard act to follow but I’ll do my best.”

Cllr Fish was elected deputy mayor in 2003 but did not take up the post of mayor in 2004 as Labour lost power.

He said that when he lost the use of his legs in 1981 he couldn’t “dream I would one day be sitting here as Mayor of Thurrock.

“But back then I decided to adopt a positive attitude and make the most of what I had and I think achieving this ambition is a testament to that positive attitude.”

He said he wanted to use his year as mayor to “highlight the wonderful dedicated work that goes on in Thurrock to support vulnerable people lead rich and fulfilling lives where they have the same choices and control over their lives as everyone else”

He added that being part of this year’s group of diversity champions on a trip to Berlin to gain an insight into Nazi atrocities had really affected him.

“It made me determined to redouble my efforts to promote equality and diversity issues. This will undoubtedly be one of the themes of my Mayoral year,” he said.

The mayor concluded: “As a proud lifelong resident of Thurrock I will also be promoting our great borough and its rich, colourful history. With the regeneration taking place over the next few years I’m sure we’re looking at a great future.

“I intend to enjoy every minute.”

Cllr Fish announced the mayoress will be his sister, Sue Bradish.

Cllr Wendy Curtis was elected deputy mayor, with her husband, Cllr Charlie Curtis – himself mayor two terms ago – as consort.

Polka Dot Pantomimes and Thurrock Council are presenting a GIANT of a Pantomime for 2013/2014 in the shape of Jack and the Beanstalk – a great hit with all the family whether you are 3 or 103 years old! It runs for 53 performances between Friday 6 December 2013 to Sunday 5 January 2014.

Perhaps you’d like to perform alongside our professional West End and Celebrity cast or came to see Cinderella last year and would like to be part of the magic. We promise to bring you everything you’d expect from a professional Pantomime… and more! Dazzling costumes, fabulous scenery and some truly magical surprises are just a few of the things you can expect when you take part. This is guaranteed to be one of the most magical moments that you will NEVER forget.

For the run of the performances there will be professional principal actors and three casts of children’s chorus. The three children’s casts will alternate performances between Friday 6 December 2013 and Sunday 5 January 2014 which will include some schools performances. This is your chance to perform in front of thousands of people – an amazing experience you won’t want to miss. This year we are looking for the following young people aged 8 – 18 years:

An all singing, all dancing chorus of boys and girls who are full of personality and can move well.

Auditions will take place on Saturday 22 June at the Thameside Theatre, Grays from 10.00am – 1.00pm.

Children must be no younger than 8 years old by 1 September 2013. Parents will be asked to sign their child in at the theatre foyer and return to collect them at 1.00pm. NO PARENTS will be allowed into the theatre whilst the auditions are taking place. At 1.00pm, if your child is successful, parents will be required to confirm which three dates they will chaperone for – please bring your diaries with you.

To audition, you must fill in an application form which is available from the Thameside Theatre Box Office or by sending an email to Polka Dot Pantomimes at darren@polkadotpantomimes.co.uk and bring it with you on the day. The form will also require you to attach a recent photograph – passport style is probably best.

Please note that you will not need to bring any audition material with you on the day as it will be provided by Polka Dot. This ensures that everyone is auditioned fairly from the same material.

During the audition we will play some games, teach everyone a short dance routine and hear you sing as a group. It is important to try your best and show us lots of personality – that is more important to us than watching perfect dancers or singers with bored faces. We are looking for potential and ambition so just try your best and don’t panic – we are here to help.

The chance to perform in this year’s Pantomime production is truly amazing but it will require permission for children to be released from School for some performances. This is kept to a minimum and although many Schools are supportive of their pupils participating in events such as this, parents should speak to Head Teachers before the audition to ensure that they are willing to allow absence from School should your child be successful. Your child MUST be available for their selected performance dates and for all rehearsals. Every child performing requires a performance license – Polka Dot Pantomimes co-ordinate this but need parental support to help them achieve that!

For further information, or an application form, please call Polka Dot Pantomimes on Tel: 01775 712359 or call the Thameside Theatre Box Office on Tel: 0845 300 5264. We look forward to seeing you……….and GOOD LUCK!

ENDS

They come at unexpected moments.

My mother is in a care home. My father died seven years ago. One afternoon, my mother was in quite a state of confusion with a number of matters but in the middle of the incoherency, my mother turned to me and asked: “Dad’s gone hasn’t he?”

“Yes mum, dad has gone….”

This week is dementia awareness week and there are a number of events in Thurrock.

On Saturday, we spoke to Zambian writer, Grace Chama-Pupe who was one of the invited writers at the Thurrock Writers Festival. Grace’s book is entitled “Me and my mum” and charts her relationship with her mother as dementia takes a hold of her. You can find the book on amazon.

They managed to find overnight accommodation in the Knight of Aveley public house.

Working with members of the British Red Cross and the Knight of Aveley, volunteers from Thurrock Council assisted the 25 people young and old who could not find alternative accommodation.

Staff supplied welfare support and some goods for them as well as offering help to residents in the wider community that night and the following day – assisting a doctor’s surgery log a call to get help get their electricity supply back up and running, for example.

Ward councillors Wendy and Charlie Curtis visited the scene on Friday morning and said they wanted to pass on their thanks to everyone who helped.

Cllr Wendy Curtis said: “It was great of the pub to open its doors and supply drinks and food where necessary, council volunteers provided bedding and supplies for the babies while the British Red Cross supplied hygiene kits. It was a magnificent team effort in difficult circumstances.

“I’m just thankful nobody was seriously injured.”

The blaze was at the former Dilkeswood Centre building in Daiglen Drive and it was severely damaged in the blaze.

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.

Details of both consultations are available online at the council’s website (www.thurrock.gov.uk) and following the links to the consultation page.

The aim of the younger age group consultation is to look at whether the council should withdraw transport for pupils in the age group who live less than three miles from their school – unless families receive certain income-related benefits.

The council has reviewed the services it provides or buys, especially in those areas that are discretionary such as children who live less than three miles from their school and those who require transport to attend faith schools.

For some time, Thurrock has voluntarily extended its transport service above the level required by law – for example transport is currently offered from two miles.

The council is now looking at whether it can continue to do so while promising to carry out its legal responsibilities.

Thurrock is also considering whether to withdraw or reduce funding to faith schools or introduce new charges for transport to faith schools from September 2014.

The consultation for the post-16 group looks two options – whether the council should withdraw its subsidy for post-16 transport and encourage students to take up the offer of a discounted bus pass with effect from September 2013 or whether, in certain cases, it should increase charges to cover the full cost.

With one in 14 people over the age of 65 and one in six over 80 suffering a form of dementia now and a predicted increase of nearly a quarter in Thurrock by[S1] 2020, dementia is everybody’s business.

On Tuesday (21 May), the local Alzheimer’s Society and a member of the Memory Service will be at Blackshots Library in Blackshots Lane, Grays, between 2pm and 5pm to give information and advice to anybody who is worried about their memory.

And two days later (Thursday 23 May) they will be at Corringham Library in St John’s Way, between 10am and 2pm.

The Blackshots and Corringham areas have the highest percentage of people with dementia in the borough.

Wednesday (22 May) sees a 20-minute film called Darkness in the Afternoon at the Thameside Theatre with showings starting at o 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm. All showings are open to the public and free of charge – just turn up!

Finally, on Friday (24 May) the Dementia Action Alliance is being launched at the Beehive Resource Centre in Grays.

Four one-hour information sessions are being held starting at 9am, noon, 1pm and 5pm where local organisations can find out more about the scheme.

The Dementia Action Alliance will see local businesses, council and other services, organisations and charities come together to make the local community a place where people can be supported to live well with the condition.

If you would like to find out how your organisation can take action and make a difference please e-mail info@healthwatchthurrock.org. stating which session you would like to attend.

Thurrock Council’s officers discovered a number of counterfeit mobile phone accessories on a market stall in the town – including phone cases, headphones, USB cables and mouse mats.

Brands such as Apple, Beats by Dr Dre, Louis Vuitton, BlackBerry, Manchester United FC and BMW were among the items being sold.

The items were removed from sale by officers and the market trader was issued with a written warning.

Thurrock Council’s portfolio holder for public protection Cllr Angie Gaywood said: “It is an offence to sell counterfeit goods and traders found guilty can face unlimited fines or up to ten years in prison.

“Counterfeit goods are often of inferior quality and sometimes even unsafe and the council takes its duties to weed out these goods or any unscrupulous traders very seriously indeed.

“It is equally important that the traders themselves take this message on board – if they don’t check the goods they are buying to put on their stalls they could be in for quite a shock.”

Thurrock Council is advising market traders to make sure they choose reputable suppliers; ensure they are given detailed invoices; and ask for written confirmation that branded goods are genuine.

Free advice is available to local businesses on trademarks, consumer rights and other matters – by calling 01375 652955 and speaking to the council’s trading standards business advice team.

People are also encouraged to report the sale of counterfeit goods to trading standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06.

An online directory of approved stockists for brands such as Adidas and GHD can be found at www.brand-i.org.

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.”

The council asked people to vote online through its own website, or on paper forms published in two local newspaper giving the three options the government is thought to be suggesting, A, B, and C, as well as a fourth option, D – none of the above.

Ckllr Kent said: “The national consultation is expected to be launched inside the next few days and indications are that the three options – close to the current crossing between Purfleet and Dartford; across the river through Grays Beach and close to the docks and Thurrock Park to the Dock Approach Road; or further to the east between Tilbury and Coalhouse Forts then north through the Green Belt, and Orsett – will be all that’s on offer. We’ll see.”

But he added: “Over 610 people voted online and 407 of them – 66.4 per cent – voted None of the Above, and of the 205 people who cut out and filled in a form before sending it in to us, 169 (82.4 per cent) wanted Option D.”

He said: “The aim of the exercise was two-fold, to confirm what the council believed local people thought, and it’s done that, and secondly, but more importantly, to raise awareness of the government’s intention to consult.

“River crossings have been in the news this week, with the focus on possible new bridge links between south and north east London. Perhaps that needs to be sorted out properly before a new strategic crossing is discussed.

“Unfortunately I don’t think the government will change its plans and there will be some form of consultation about a crossing in Thurrock and it will start soon. I urge everyone who took part in our little exercise over the last couple of months to tell the government what they think.

“When we see the details of their proposals, the council will make an official response and we will also let people know what we think of the options given. An internet link to the consultation will also be available on the home page of our website.”

Cllr Kent said: “There will be a couple of exhibitions from the Department of Transport in the borough and we too will be trying to engage face-to-face with local people. Remember, the government will look at the national picture, so we need to make as much noise as possible to be heard.

“If you’re on Twitter, look out for the chance to have your say and the same with Facebook too. I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities and plenty of different ways to get our message across.”

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.

“That commitment hasn’t changed in the least – we want Thurrock to be one of the best local authorities, delivering quality services to our residents.

“We are overhauling the routes our refuse trucks take and that means some people may find the day of their collection will change – same service, different day.”

She added: “During the first few weeks we will have a team in place to deal with any problems that arise and to provide support and advice to residents.

“We want to lessen the impact of any issues that may crop up and to make it easy for everyone to make the transition between the old and new collection days.”

Cllr Holloway said: “We have been working on the details of these proposals for several months and in the week before the changes happen we will be putting postcards through every home’s door confirming what day their collections will be after 3 June.

“The new dates will also be published online through the council’s website and the team at the council’s call centre – 01375 652652 – have been fully briefed on the changes.”

Thurrock Council’s trading standards have been informed about a number of recent telephone calls promising free alarm equipment.

However the businesses selling the alarms are not making it clear there is a monthly monitoring charge. Most of the phone calls have been made to people in the Chafford Hundred area although other areas of the borough may also get calls.

Cllr Angie Gaywood, Thurrock Council’s portfolio holder for public protection, said: “We want to warn residents to be wary of anyone who says their alarm system is on special offer or is linked directly to the local police and fire stations.

“These are not true and are sales tactics to try to convince you to sign up.

“We would ask everyone to check on elderly relatives or neighbours who may be targeted by these companies and warn them too.”

Anybody interested in buying a security system, should contact local companies – preferably with a shop premises that can be visited. People should also look out for relevant trade memberships such as SSAIB (Security Systems Alarms Inspection Board) or SIA (Security Industry Authority) and get two or three quotes to find out what is available and to compare costs.

If you have any queries about your rights, would like some help to find a good local trader or have dealt with a company that you have concerns about, please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline for further advice on 08454 040506.

Charlotte Edwards, Thurrock Council’s principal officer, trading standards, said: “If you have signed up to such a system at home, you must be given written information about your cancellation rights by the trader.

“These rights allow you to cancel the contract for those goods and services for seven days starting with the day after you signed the contract.

“These apply to any contract made in the home for goods and services over £35.”

She added: “If you change your mind, you can write to the trader to cancel the contract without any penalty.

“It can be difficult to ask someone to leave your home without signing up once they have been there for a couple of hours – however, once you do ask a salesperson to leave they must do so or they may commit a criminal offence.”

Cllr Val Morris-Cook, portfolio holder for housing, said: “The last year has shown us the housing development market here is at really difficult if not completely broken – we’ve had problems selling our own land and house building has almost stopped.

“Remember the problems we’ve had at Howards Road and selling St Chad’s for example.”

She explained a proposal called “Wholly Owned Housing Company” was – despite its title, “a way for this council to kick-start house-building in Thurrock and that’s got be exciting.”

The plan is, she said, to investigate the proposal more deeply and bring a more detailed report back to cabinet later in the year.

She said: “This is just a first step; a way to get agreement to look carefully at all the possible pros and cons and to pin down with more conviction and detail the risks the council might face, assuring us they are small enough to accept and that the potential up-side is as good as we believe it is.

“Basically, the scheme would be to create a company with a single shareholder – making it a subsidiary of Thurrock Council – that would lead on building the 1,000 new homes we have promised.

“Over the coming months we will dig further into the proposal, we will seek the views of as many interested parties as possible – including overview and scrutiny, members generally and including other housing providers too – before coming back with a firmed up proposal.”

Cllr Morris-Cook added: ““This will not only create affordable homes for rent for part rent-part buy – and possibly for sale – but also be a clear benefit to the regeneration programme as a whole.

“This could provide an alternative route to private sector housing delivery as well as directly support the delivery of 1,000 new homes of mixed tenures over the next five years.”

She said the company would act as an “investment company”, renting the majority of its properties, but selling some to individuals, other housing providers and possibly the council’s own Housing Revenue Account.

“This is an innovative way of overcoming the difficulties of a struggling economy, a lethargic house-building programme and an ever-increasing housing list,” she said.

“At the moment it seems to tick all the boxes – let’s just make sure before we commit ourselves.”