CLLR Lynn Worrall, Leader of Thurrock Council, and Cllr Mark Hooper, Cabinet member for Housing, were at Brisbane House today (Monday, 22 December) as the first residents moved back home in time for Christmas.

Each household got a treat to help them get in the Christmas spirit.

Yewande Kannike, who lives on the first floor and is also leader of One Community Development Trust which is based in Tilbury, said: "I am over the moon to be back home, I couldn't be happier. It is great to be back in my flat so I can celebrate Christmas here at home."

Cllrs Worrall and Hooper also visited most of the other residents as they settled back in. 

Cllr Worrall said: "It was great to see how happy everyone was to be home, especially the young children who get to be back in their bedrooms and now know that Santa will be able to find them and drop their presents off.

"This has been a difficult time for these residents and the resilience they have shown has been incredible. It was a good opportunity to speak with them about their experiences and learn first-hand just how much they have valued the support they have got from the council throughout."

Cllr Hooper said: "All the residents that we spoke to told us that the support they had was excellent and we saw for ourselves just how good the relationships between them and their assigned Tenancy Management Officers are.

"As well as thanking the residents for their patience I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff on our housing team for going the extra mile following this incident."

All 24 flats on the first six floors are now ready for residents to move back into. Residents were given the choice to move back now, ahead of Christmas, or spend Christmas where they are and return in the New Year. 

Work is ongoing throughout the rest of the block.

Assessments of most of the other flats in the block have now been completed by the specialist contractor and necessary restoration works identified, says the council.

A council statement said: "We are keeping residents informed of progress and will continue working to get them all home as quickly as possible."