THURROCK councillors have approved the sale of another wave of land and property as they continue efforts to pull the authority out of its financial crisis.

At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday (18 March), council leader Cllr Lynn Worrall said the latest package formed the "next tranche" in Thurrock's wider asset disposal programme, a key element of its Improvement and Recovery Plan.

The nine sites include amenity land, unused open spaces, landlocked parcels with no practical value and several vacant or underused plots across the borough. One small commercial property at 8 Linford Road is also included.

Cllr Worrall said all the assets had been thoroughly reviewed by council services, adding: "These are assets that are not required for service delivery, do not support our corporate priorities and in many cases create a management burden without delivering public value."

She acknowledged that selling council-owned land "comes with mixed feelings", but insisted disposals would be handled in line with statutory duties to achieve best value.

"This is a sensible and proportionate step as we continue to rationalise our estate, ensuring we focus on assets that support our communities and frontline services," she said.

The sites recommended for sale span locations including Belhus, Orsett, Tilbury, Purfleet, Langdon Hills and Stanford-le-Hope.

Many have been held for historic reasons and generate no income, while officers say no current or future operational need has been identified by regeneration, housing, planning or finance teams.

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A second report approved by cabinet recommends the disposal of two enterprise centres: Riverside Business Centre in Tilbury and the Thurrock Centre for Business in Grays.

Although the centres provide workspace for small and start‑up firms, independent modelling shows their income is insufficient to meet borrowing, ownership and maintenance costs.

Cllr Worrall said retaining them would require an ongoing subsidy the council "cannot afford", whereas selling them would deliver capital receipts, reduce debt and remove financial risk.

She stressed that tenants would not be affected, as both centres would continue operating under their existing leases.

The leader also made clear that Cowdray Hall Community Centre in Grays is not part of the disposal programme, following public speculation.

Government-appointed commissioners have previously warned that the council's asset sales are "of significant importance" to its financial recovery, with capital receipts from disposals helping meet the £29.6 million assumed in next year's budget.