CULTURE Secretary Jeremy Hunt paid tribute to Thurrock, as he opened the Royal Opera House technical facility in Purfleet last night. Flanked by leader of Thurrock Council, John Kent, Chief executive of Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation (DC), Will McKee CBE, Chief exec of Royal Opera House, Tony Hall and Mayor of Thurrock, Ann Cheale, all the leaders referred to the huge significance of the opening of a technical facility means to the borough.
WHILE people’s focus last week was on getting the roads clear of snow and whether the council would collect waste and recycling, hundreds of council staff went that “extra mile” to make vulnerable people’s lives a bit safer.
Ngage are holding their annual Christmas Fun Event this year on Wednesday 15th December, between 4.00pm and 8.00pm at the Civic Hall, Blackshots, Grays. The whole night is FREE and includes free entertainment, craft and play activities for the children, refreshments and much more.
A spokesperson said: "The decision has been made to cancel the Orchards community forum meeting which was due to take place on Wednesday 8 December at St Thomas`s Social Club Hall, St Thomas' Place off East Thurrock Road, Grays, due to the sub zero temperatures and slippery conditions.
Staff will be carrying out scheduled Monday collections and will endeavour to collect from all scheduled roads. However, the weekend’s thaw did not reach all areas of the borough, and some roads still remain inaccessible.
Much of that is borne by the taxpayer with Thurrock Council making two contributions of £88,854 and £25,000 respectively. It also appears from the accounts that the group are assisted by only being charged £523 per year to rent their offices in the Thameside complex. The Big Lottery funded £39,235 and the PCT granted £60,802.
Under the plans, to be outlined in a localism bill, these new groups will be allowed to draw up agreed categories of development known as "neighbourhood development orders". The reforms would mean that homeowners could add to their homes without the need for traditional planning permission if they won support within their neighbourhood group.
The last “normal” collection day will be on Christmas Eve (24 December). Collection days will return to normal on Monday, 24 January 2011. Thurrock Council will pick up side waste — waste put beside bins because they are full — between Wednesday, 29 December and Wednesday, 5 January when every home should have had one post-Christmas collection.
Community Payback is a scheme which provides the community with unpaid work carried out by convicted offenders. The scheme publicly demonstrates that offenders are giving back something to society and is supported by the Thurrock Community Safety Partnership and Thurrock Council. During the first six months of 2010, Thurrock Council has benefitted from over 8,600 hours of unpaid work being provided across 24 projects in support of the local community, representing over £50,500 worth of labour at minimum wage rates.
Train services on all routes via Barking are being disrupted due to a broken down train. Engineers are working as fast as possible to restore services to normal. Short notice alterations, cancellations and delays can be expected.
Their (mostly) elderly clients depend on the meals coming in. The fact is that the two minute conversation with the drivers may well be the only human contact they have all day. Operations manager Maggie Chimes said: "We have a highly dedicated team. Three of our drivers walked to the depot and many others walked into the estates to deliver the food by hand.
Recycling and waste collections have been suspended for the rest of the week and the council is hopeful they will resume on Monday (6 December) with a fresh start and get everyone back to their normal collection day.
Route 22 suspended between Grays and Lakeside there is a 20 min service between Lakeside and Aveley Usk road. Route 44 as per timetable with delays of up to 15 mins Route 33 as per timetable with delays of up to 15 mins
Thurrock Council’s gritting teams have been busy as the snow continued to fall overnight (1 December). Gritting crews travelled the main routes three times overnight — following up on two gritting runs on Tuesday (30 November). Secondary routes are also being gritted today.
