LARGE sections of Thurrock's Civic Offices in Grays continue to be out of bounds following a major water leak that happened three weeks ago.

Last month several meetings, including a packed full council meeting, were cancelled or moved because of the leak which took place in the ground floor café of the three storey section of the council building which also houses the civic chamber.

While the damage was confined to specific areas of the building and below stars section where records are kept, the council says the impact of the flood on the building's electrics have rendered it unsafe. Some staff who would normal work in that section of the building have been moved to other offices.

And there appears to be no telling when the repairs will be completed – or indeed if the council will even attempt repairs as in the early part of next year it hopes to open its new extension currently under construction in the western section of the building.

In a previous statement the council said: "The affected older wing of the building will make way for much needed town centre housing as work on the new building, which includes a new council chamber and meeting rooms, is nearing completion and will replace the aging and now unsuitable part of the existing building."

Two major committee meetings were due to take place in the chamber this week but both tomorrow's (Tuesday, 5 October) planning, transport, regeneration overview and scrutiny committee and Thursday's cleaner, Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee have been switched to the neighbouring South Essex College.

The council has made arrangements for both meetings, which will be open to the public and begin at 6pm and 7pm respectively, to be webcast.

You can find more information about council meetings and possible rescheduling of other meetings via this link