THURROCK Council's online services are set to be out of action over the coming weekend.

The council has announced that while essential 'electrical maintenance work' is taking place' from 8.45pm on Friday, 22 October to 7.30am on Monday, 25 October, many council services will not be available

During this period residents will not be able to use:

• most online services
• automated phone lines
• library computers, printers or scanners

• making an application
• making a report
• making a payment
• booking a service
• booking a ticket for an event
• searching planning or licensing records
• making measurements, checking routes and searching information on digital maps

[.B]Residents will not be able to access online accounts for:[.B]

• council tax
• housing benefit or council tax support
• school admissions
• free school meals
• free 2 year-old childcare
• checking progress with problems reported online

The council, which prides itself on its 'digital first policy' and has migrated many of its important services to its online platforms says residents will also not be will also not be able to use government secure services for blue badge applications or giving them notice of issues using the 'tell us once' service.

It says: "We recommend that you do not try to use any of our online services during this period. We apologise for any inconvenience."

The council has not said if the electrical work is connected with the failings that have seen many of its meetings cancelled or moved to new venues following damage caused by a flood.

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Earlier today (Tuesday, 19 October) senior councillors damned the council's inability to manage its repairs and mocked the performance of its IT and communications teams.