THURROCK Council's lead councillor for Central Services and Communities has put an upbeat message out about the authority's performance levels.

She told council colleagues at this evening's full council meeting that the council is now hitting 'a record high 74 per cent of key performance indicators achieving their targets'.

And Cllr Deborah Huelin added that the council's 'dedication to putting residents first and making sure that community is at the heart of all it does' has led to award-winning teams building on previous improvements.

Cllr Huelin's report this evening (Wednesday 29 January) focussed on performance levels in her portfolio over the last 12 months.

She said specific highlights from the report include:

Tilbury Library re-opening following refurbishment and Aveley Hub set to open in the coming weeks

Launching the £25,000 Voluntary Sector Development Fund which provides funding to support creative community projects.

The continuation of the hugely successful Community-Led Local Development Fund which has provided millions in funding for Tilbury

Improving self-service area at the Civic Offices meaning waiting times for residents have been reduced to an average of just one minute

The council's customer services quality framework has been recognised as an example of best practice

Engagement with residents has been improved through the introduction of a new consultation portal

Targets exceeded for recruiting apprentices

Employed more permanent staff and reduced the council spend on agency employees

Cllr Huelin told members: "This year we have continued building on our previous successes. We have helped more young people start careers by taking on more and more apprentices, supported a thriving voluntary sector, re-opened Tilbury Library, and help fund local projects and bring communities together through the Community Environmental Development Fund.

"Over the last 12 months we have received national recognition in being shortlisted for so many prestigious awards and almost three quarters of our key performance measures have achieved their targets.

"We will continue to build on these successes as we ensure our residents and communities are at the heart of everything we do."