The council's Let's Talk consultation said: “Even a 10 per cent reduction would have a very significant adverse affect on service provision. The closure of a leisure centre might be an outcome of a significant reduction.” But councillors admitted that these cuts could see the end of all three centres. Stifford councillor Anji Gaywood said: "We have a nationally renowned Thurrock swimming club that could now be made homeless and thousands of residents with nowhere to enjoy sport."
At a meeting of Thurrock Council's planning committee last night (Thursday) it was announced that the enforcement notice in respect of the Titan Lorry park in Oliver Road, West Thurrock had been served on Tuesday October 19th.
The CAB believe they have a more rounded service and more helpful approach than a certain "bureaucratic" approach from the council. Having said that, according to statistics, homelessness in the borough is down.
Some say the matter may well be settled at the ballot box with both sides, sources say, believing that the controversy over the Howard Tenens lorry park, South Ockendon residents association and the Dilkes park dispersal order have a long way to run yet.
But there can be no doubt of Cllr Worrall's commmitment and enthusiasm. There have been criticisms of the other Portfolio Holder's presentations but Cllr Worrall will have gained a remarkable degree of confidence from her marathon session and may well look back on it as a turning point in her political career.
Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle Price may find herself on the carpet after she criticises her own government over the increase of Dartford Crossing tolls by 66%."I don't think it acceptable to increase charges until the issues of capacity have been addressed-this amounts to a queue tax not a toll".
Last night at the monthly full council meeting, Chafford councillor Tunde Ojetola warned of the amount of litter deposited by lorry drivers parked on the verges in the borough. He said: "Now that we no longer have any lorry parks in the borough, it looks like this problem is going to get worse and worse."
"With police cuts of 4% and fire in the region of 25%. With the bridge tolls rising 66%. With half a million jobs set to be shed in the public sector and the cuts to the benefits, these are all sickening hammer blows to the borough."
Deputy Leader Val Morris-Cook took a leaf out of his book last night at full council by telling residents and councillors from the Frost Estate in Corringham that she had got it wrong when it came to the subject of waste collection.
The usually mild-mannered councillor burst out of his seat to make a point or order. He said: "I am sorry Madam Mayor, but that is just an outright lie. I called a meeting but that was cancelled by Labour."
However,on both occasions, she stood alone as a representative of Thurrock Council. Mayor Cheale made her feelings quite plain last night when she told the council how disappointed she was that none of the councillors turned up to pay their respects to the heroes that saved their country.
The Chancellor's Comprehensive Spending Review today (October 20) confirmed that toll prices will increase on the crossing from £1.50 to £2 by 2011 and then upto £2.50 by 2012.
Amongst the changes: The social housing budget in England is to be cut by more than 50%. Council houses "for life" will also end for new tenants, with their entitlement assessed at regular intervals. Despite the cuts, ministers are likely to set a target of building 150,000 affordable homes, changing the way councils charge rent to finance them.
RAG week stunt or serious eco-political protest. You decide but it took the resources of seven police forces to police the event. With tankers stacked up it doesn't take long before petrol stations start to run out. YouandIfilms have produced a document of the day which gives a clear insight into the day.
“Firstly, we must never again have the situation where waste collection crews are sent home on health and safety grounds while there is vital work that they could be doing clearing access to schools, healthcare facilities, and OAP complexes."
