A DETAILED report on Thurrock Council levels of performance for the first half of the current financial year shows the authority missed more than one in four of the targets by which its achievements are measured.

Nevertheless, portfolio holder for central services, Cllr Jack Duffin, gave an upbeat analysis on the figures that were reported to this week's meeting of the authority's ruling cabinet.

Its members heard the council has met 71 per cent of its targets between April and September this year and Cllr Duffin said: "As Covid-19 continues to impact services, we have worked to restore normality as far as possible and deliver for residents to the best of our ability.

"I am pleased that we have been able to deliver on almost three quarters of our performance targets, with 59 per cent of targets met being higher than the previous year.

"Supporting residents is our top priority and we have continued to do so. We have completed 95 per cent of repairs to council properties and achieved 90 per cent tenant satisfaction with the Transforming Homes project.

"In addition to this we have also supported a 95 per cent successful completion rate of treatment in the Young Peoples Drug and Alcohol Service. We also provided new apprenticeship placements for 33 people, exceeding our target in helping people take the first step on an exciting new career path.

"Economic growth and recovery is a top priority nationwide and we have enabled the start-up of 16 new Micro Enterprises in the borough.

"Our staff have had to manage complex challenges in the face of the pandemic, and have continued to work hard, delivering services and support that are essential to our residents. I'd like to thank them for their dedication, resilience and perseverance, which has allowed our borough to continue to move forwards."

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To read the full report, click on this link.