News in Thurrock

THE contrasting sides of a Thurrock community have been illustrated by an incident in Stanford-le-Hope where a good deed is being lauded with praise equal to the condemnation of vandals who attempted to wreck a tribute to a much-loved town man.

Just over a week ago a bench erected in tribute to former Stanford cricketer Charlie Dowsett was damaged by a recalcitrant quad-bike riding youth who is well-known in the local community for his complete disregard for others, frequently riding his vehicle across sports grounds and endangering children and other members of the public.

PLANNING permission has been granted for two separate housing developments on land in Stanford-le-Hope, despite considerable local objections to both applications.

A recent meeting of Thurrock Council's planning committee rubber-stamped recommendations to approve the applications to build eight homes on Morley Hill and seven on Third Avenue.

THURROCK Council has given an assurance to residents who have commented on a gathering on the King George's Field, Blackshots, recently.

Thurrock Nub News was contacted by residents, with one in particular concerned that there appeared to be no public notification about what the event was and said that she had been told by staff at Impulse Leisure, which manages the adjacent leisure facilities on the site, that they did not know what was happening or if the large gathering was sanctioned.

EAST Thurrock's MP has welcomed a new initiative offering opportunity to young people and says he is looking forward to the launch of a pilot scheme in the region.

'Changing Futures' is a government led project that aims to change systems and improve services for people who experience multiple disadvantage including homelessness, substance misuse, poor mental health, domestic abuse, or contact with the criminal justice system.

THE 'mind-blowing' revelation that more than £11 million has been spent on consultancy fees for the botched Stanford-le-Hope rail station was raised again at this week's meeting of Thurrock Council.

The issue was raised by Homesteads ward councillor Gary Byrne as he quizzed regeneration portfolio holder Cllr Mark Coxshall over the project – also demanding that he give residents in the town some 'cast-iron' guarantees about the project as it moves ahead.

A SOUTH Essex hospice charity has places remaining for the popular Royal Parks Half Marathon event taking place in the capital this October.

Havens Hospices has charity places remaining for the 13.1 mile route due to take place on Sunday, 10 October across four of London's Royal Parks - Hyde Park, Green Park, St James' Park and Kensington Gardens.

COUNCILLORS have clashed over the cost of the bin strike that took place in Thurrock earlier this year - with ruling Conservative councillors accusing Labour counterparts of supporting the strike for politically-motivated reasons.

As reported by Thurrock Nub News earlier this month the council has put the cost of the five week long strike by environmental services department workers in April and May, at a fraction more than £109,000 – though it actually saved £194,000 in wages.

A CALL has gone out to Thurrock residents for volunteers to help support the life-saving work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

The borough has very close connections with the lifeboat stationed just across the river in Gravesend, which historically has taken part in many missions on the north bank of the local Thames riverfront and helped save Thurrock residents.

THURROCK Council's leader has called on residents in the borough to stick with and participate in Covid-19 guidelines - even though he recognises the frustrations they bring.

In a message to residnets, Cllr Rob Gledhill says: "On Monday the government lifted most of the legal restrictions which had been created to slow and stop the spread of coronavirus. Although this is the end of lockdown it is by no means the end of the pandemic.

AT the end of a week when Thurrock residents and art and culture supporters from further away have taken to the streets to make their protest about the closure of facilities in the borough, the senior councillor responsible for the arts has responded by saying why she thinks closure will bring positive benefits.

Thurrock Nub News reported on Wednesday's protest in advance of the council's fuill meeting. You can read the report here.