IN a bid to restore faith in its ability to deliver infrastructure projects Thurrock Council today (Wednesday, 8 June) put out an upbeat message about its new civic office extension – announcing it to be 'officially open'.

That's despite the fact that its botched new council chamber remains sealed behind locked doors and white-washed window and councillors have been sceptical about it readiness for this month's full council meeting. The annual mayor-making last month had to be switched to committee rooms.

And some of the much-publicised facilities that the building was promised to deliver are yet to come to fruition. Most notably its café and kitchen – which remains unfit for purpose and was delivered by contractors Kier Construction not fit for purpose without the electrics and other utilities in place to run a commercial kitchen and food and drinks preparation area. The newly appointed mayor, Cllr James Halden, has been scathing about the delay and functionality in his new parlour.

Nevertheless, today the council issued a 'big hurrah' and its leader Cllr Rob Gledhill said: "I am delighted that the impressive new building is starting to open up to the public."

And, despite considerable scepticism and opinion to the contrary including conflicting statements from the council's own officers about costs, Cllr Gledhill insists the building is delivered within a full and completed budget package of £9.8 million.

The statement released by the council today says: "The contemporary three-storey building, which will be delivered on budget, has been designed firmly with energy-efficiency in mind, showing the council's commitment to sustainability, lowering its environmental impact and kick-starting huge regeneration plans across Grays.

The welcome area.

"The ground floor features a significantly improved welcome area and will support the borough's most vulnerable residents who have been offered appointments or those who have been referred to council services.

"It is also home to the new bespoke Register Office and ceremonial garden, with over 30 weddings and many citizenship ceremonies taking place since early April.

"The building has opened in phases, with the multi-function committee rooms playing host to council meetings and welcoming the public over the last two months. The development also means the oldest part of the current Civic Offices can be used as land for building much-needed, 100 per cent affordable council homes for Thurrock residents."

Cllr Gledhill, said: "I am delighted that the impressive new building is starting to open up to the public.

"A lot of thought has gone into its design, how we use it and what we will use it for and it is reducing our carbon footprint as well as decreasing running costs.

"By opening our ground floor today, we can offer direct support to those residents who really need us most and will be able to do so in a sensitive and confidential manner.

"We know some residents and enquiries have to be dealt with face to face but through the pandemic residents made the most of our online services to pay, report and apply, which they can continue to do any time and any day of the week."

Cllr Mark Coxshall, Deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration and external affairs, added: "This new building will be the catalyst for the ambitious redevelopment of Grays, stretching from the River Thames through to the heart of the town.

"As it stands, millions of private and public investment has been secured for Grays regeneration, showing that the government,

"Thurrock Council and investors are serious about the future of Grays and its potential to be an engine for growth and opportunity."

The council says that: "Over the summer more facilities will open to the public, including a purpose-built coffee shop with indoor and outdoor seating, and the new Council chamber which has been meticulously designed to stand for generations."

The council has described the ground floor as 'a brilliant, new and improved welcome area'.

Council produces another calamity: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/has-calamity-council-struck-again-with-chamber-blunder-101899