News in Thurrock

THURROCK Council's director of finance – who has found himself at the centre of a storm of concern over his decisions to borrow more than £1 billion – spoke bullishly about the authority's financial position this evening (Tuesday, 9 June), but warned there were tough times ahead.

Sean Clark delivered a financial update to the council's corporate overview and scrutiny committee which met virtually.

A THURROCK resident of almost 30 years is about to release a book reflecting his difficult upbringing in the East End of London as one of the first immigrants in the area.

Jag Singh - who lives in Stifford Clays - is well known in the borough, where he works as a team leader in logistics but his passion for writing motivational blogs, fiction and public speaking have often put him in the public eye.

ONE of Thurrock's biggest stores has confirmed it will be reopening on Monday, 15 June.

Primark at Lakeside says it will be putting rigorous health and safety measures in place and will operate strict social distancing protocols.

A LOVE of knitting that began when she was a teenager taught by her nan has turned into a business for a young Horndon on the Hill woman.

Lucy Rivers, who celebrates her 25th birthday on Thursday (11 June) is currently furloughed from her work at St Paul's Cathedral where she is part of the visitor experience team and so has used the time at home to build up her creative knitting service, Little Festive Knits.

A THURROCK flytipper's vehicle was taken away by the borough council today (Monday, 8 June) and the offender hit with a £1,460 fine.

Police assisted in the removal of the van from its owner's home in Stanford-le-Hope after it was identified as being involved in flytipping.

TRAFFIC is flowing again around the Dartford crossing after a incident earlier this morning when both north and southbound carriage ways were closed.

Kent Police attended the motorway near junction one shortly after 6am today (Tuesday 9 June 2020 due to concern for a man on a bridge.

THURROCK Council has assured residents in borough tower blocks that they are safe, despite a report to the authority that recommends action to replace cladding that does not mean building regulations.

Thurrock Nub News reported on a planning application for Kier Hardie House yesterday (Sunday, 7 June) which involves replacing its cladding and making other improvements.

DESPITE a warning they might face legal action and cause embarrassment and huge financial loss to the authority, members of Thurrock Council's planning committee backed their decision to overrule planning officers and give approval to a huge development on a borough golf course.

Councillors at tonight's meeting of the committee found themselves on the end of a stern lecture from councillor solicitor Caroline Robins. Speaking from her home as part of a virtual meeting, Ms Robins warned councillors they could make a mistake that would end up with the "council washing its dirty linen in public which would not be good."

AFTER four months of waiting, residents hoping for a change of heart by Thurrock planning councillors who backed a controversial plan for around 160 new homes will have to wait a little longer.

At tonight's (Monday, 8 June) virtual meeting of Thurrock Council's planning committee when the proposal for up to 161 new homes on Thurrock Marshes came up again it was decided to defer a decision for a site visit.

A MAJOR renovation is being planned for three tower blocks in Grays – which currently fall short of safety regulations.

In a submission seeking planning permission for the renovation of one of them, Kier Hardie House, Thurrock Council gives its reasons for the need for work to be carried out, including stating the current external cladding of the block does not meet current, albeit evolving, building regulations for fire and thermal performance criteria.