News in Thurrock

AFTER months of trying to wrangle a budget for the next financial year and earmarking around 500 council jobs to be axed, Thurrock Council is still almost £4 million of savings short of meeting its target – a committee will be told next week.

And with ever-changing directives from government and the impact of Covid-19 still to be fully assessed it is likely the shortfall the council needs to find will rise.

THURROCK Council's lead councillor for regeneration who has shared the spotlight with his communities portfolio holder over plans to close the Thameside complex, and with it the Thameside Theatre, appears to have opened the door to the local community to take over the facility.

Next week the authority's Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be presented with a report on the council's plans to make significant savings by no longer having to maintain older buildings which are not fit for purpose.

THERE are currently a number of vacancies available at the Port of Tilbury, among them at the port's paper hub where cargo operatives are wanted.

The port is also planning two events for potential recruits to its workforce to learn more about the port.

COMMUNITY stalwarts in Aveley have once again ensured the town will have a Christmas lights display.

The volunteers who make up Continue Reading

FUTURE cancer patients in the region could get their diagnosis more quickly thanks to a new test which could help detect more than 50 types of cancer being trialled at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust which includes Basildon Hospital among its hospitals.

More than 700 patients from south and mid Essex have already taken part in the nationwide SYMPLIFY study, supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), will investigate a new multi-cancer early detection test in the NHS, known as Galleri, for patients with non-specific symptoms that could be a result of undiagnosed cancer.

HOPE has been expressed by ward councillors that one of the benefits of the creation of the new Thames Freeport in Thurrock will be an end to HGV problems for residents in Wharf Road in Stanford and on roads in other parts of the town.

Wharf Road is particularly blighted by problems with large vehicles who have to use it to approach and leave the Stanhope industrial park.

THURROCK planning officers have rejected two bids for new homes on 'infill' ploys adjacent to existing houses.

They have refused an application for a two storey, three bedroom dwelling to be located upon the end of an existing semi-detached pair of properties at 31 Elmway, Stifford Clays, Grays.

AN unusual tribute has been placed in Orsett's remembrance garden which hosts the village war memorial ahead of the weekend's wreath-laying event.

That will take place at the garden, opposite the Whitmore arms, on Saturday morning (13 November) – the first event in a series of tributes that will take place across the borough over the weekend.

THE death of a worker at the Amazon distribution centre in Tilbury has been described as 'tragic' by the company.

Emergency services rushed to the fulfilment centre on Sunday (7 November) but despite their best efforts were unable to save the man, who has been taken ill before his shift started and it was not a work related incident.

THE iconic Dulux dog has officially opened new Dulux Academy training facilities in the West Thurrock.

The new facilities at the site on Motherwell Way are aimed at helping more of the region's painters and decorators brush up on their skills or learn new ones.