HIGHWAYS England’s latest consultation seeking views on refinements to the design of the Lower Thames Crossing ended last night. The four-week consultation was seeking feedback on the latest refinements to the design including more detailed landscaping proposals; updated paths for walkers, cyclists and horse riders; and further developed environmental mitigation plans. The refinements were based on feedback […]
YEAR 13 students across Thurrock are receiving their A-level results this week. Published by the Department for Education on Thursday 13 August, the results follow months of disruption to the usual end of year and exam process due to the coronavirus pandemic. Cllr Shane Hebb, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “I would like to […]
OVER the last few days, eagle eyed readers noticed what can only be described as police activity at Thurrock Council offices in New Road, Grays. With reports of whole floors of the offices being taken over, we thought, we would make a discreet enquiry of Thurrock Council. Obviously, they were not obliged to say anything. […]
EMPLOYMENT in the UK fell by the largest amount in over a decade between April and June, official figures show reports the BBC. The number of people in work decreased by 220,000 on the quarter, said the Office for National Statistics. This was the largest quarterly decrease since May to July 2009, the depths of […]
IN MAY, we asked Thurrock Council a number of questions regarding the council-controlled care home in Corringham, Collins House. It has taken them nearly three months but they have now supplied answers to questions. The questions were: Have there been any deaths at Collins House due to Covid-19? Have residents recovered from Covid-19? How are […]
LOCAL Councillors have been told that the electronic gates protecting sheltered housing complexes in their wards are under threat of removal. The gates, currently protecting elderly residents, need to be updated or replaced but due to the cost, Conservative led Thurrock Council have told ward Councillors they want them removed instead. In recent […]
Government extends coronavirus support for bus and tram operators across England as part of wider efforts to safely get people back to education and work spaces New model will provide rolling support for bus operators with up to £218.4 million guaranteed over the next eight weeks Five tram systems in the North and Midlands also […]
THE Government’s exam grading body, Ofqual, has announced changes to the appeals process for pupils dissatisfied with their grades under this year’s exam arrangements, following pressure from the cross-party Education Committee, led by Robert Halfon MP. In their report, “Getting the grades they’ve earned – Covid-19: the cancellation of exams and ‘calculated grades’”, the House […]
TWO of the UK’s largest port businesses – Forth Ports Group and DP World – today announce a partnership which will submit a joint freeport bid incorporating the Port of Tilbury and DP World London Gateway. As part of the commitment to this joint bid, the partnership announces the appointment of Vivid Economics who will […]
Basildon Council increases special collection services BASILDON Council has announced that an extra 35 slots for special collection will be available every day, from Monday 10 August 2020 onwards. Basildon Council operates the special collection services for the collection, recycling and disposal of large household items and electrical goods, and is expanding the service to […]
PLANS to redevelop Grays have been given a major funding boost from the Government to help build up to 1,000 new homes in the town centre. The infrastructure funding had come after redevelopment plans were nominated for financial backing by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP). The cash will is part of the Government’s […]
A NEW deal has safeguarded more than 4,000 jobs at three prominent restaurant chains. Private equity firm Epiris has acquired control of the Bella Italia, Las Iguanas and Cafe Rouge businesses, preserving more than 150 restaurants. The business formerly known as Casual Dining Group was acquired from administration in a process handled by AlixPartners. The […]
THE biggest shake-up of planning for decades has caused fury that moves to fast-track the construction of “beautiful” homes across England will “dilute” democratic oversight, choke off affordable housing and lead to the creation of “slum” dwellings reports The Guardian. Under the proposals, unveiled on Thursday, planning applications based on pre-approved “design codes” would get […]
COUNCILS across the country are backing the creative industries to help drive economic recovery in local areas, the Local Government Association and Creative Industries Federation set out today. The LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, has today published a guide to help councils to support their local creative industries recover from the coronavirus […]
MEDICAL negligence solicitors, Blackwater Law have reviewed data published by NHS England that reveals that only 40.9% of patients at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust were receiving treatment for cancer within the current 62-day waiting time during May 2020. This figure is significantly below the current NHS target of 85%. There are […]
A LOOK at excess death rates has created a false impression that Thurrock has seen an extremely high number of excess deaths during the coronavirus pandemic. Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that excess deaths in Thurrock peaked in the week ending 17 April with 286% more deaths than usual. However those figures […]
PIZZA Express today revealed it could shut 67 of its UK restaurants with up to 1,100 jobs at risk as it becomes the latest business devastated by coronavirus. The 55-year-old company, owned by Chinese private equity firm Hony Capital, has debts of £735million and has put itself up for sale after bringing in experts. Bosses […]
THE final list of 34 projects that will receive funding from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership’s (SELEP)£85 million share of the Government’s new Getting Building Fund has been announced. The projects include: Grays Shopping Centre: Upgrade of electrical infrastructure to support redesign of shopping centre, improving resilience of retail offer and facilitating provision […]
By Local Democracy Reporter Steve Shaw SECRETIVE meetings over how to reshape south Essex have cost taxpayers more than £1.2million, it has been revealed. Over the past three years a partnership of six council leaders from across the region has been holding meetings in secret, with no record of when they took place or what […]
IN MAY, we asked Thurrock Council a number of questions regarding a care home in their charge, Collins House in Corringham. We first started researching the piece back in April. At the time, there were concerns (in care homes all over the country) regarding residents returning from hospital without being tested for Covid-19. There were […]
DINERS across the East of England will see their restaurant bills slashed by as much as 50% from today as the government’s landmark Eat Out to Help Out scheme officially opens for business (Monday 3 August). Anyone visiting a participating restaurant, café or pub on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August will receive the half […]
OPERATOR of Tovi waste facility enters administrative receivership but waste collections to continue as normal The operator of the Tovi Eco Park facility in Basildon has entered into administrative receivership, the Council has been informed. The facility’s operator had already, from Monday, 29 June, suspended all deliveries of waste into the facility. Since then, instead […]
NEW homes and hospitals will be granted “automatic” permission to be built as part of sweeping planning reforms in England, the housing secretary says. Robert Jenrick announced a “permission in principle” will be given to developments on land designated “for renewal” to speed-up building. It comes after the PM pledged £5bn to “build, build, build” […]
By Local Democracy Reporter Steve Shaw THE Government has told councils across south Essex that a plan to completely transform the way the region is governed is unlikely to work. The setback came on the same day that Southend Council voted to join authorities from across south Essex in lobbying the government for more cash […]