Thurrock Council News Latest

Commission targets schools

2013-05-21T17:04:42Z

The Thurrock Education Commission, announced to schools and educationalists earlier this year, started work in earnest last week.

Council Leader, Cllr John Kent has welcomed the commission, saying he wants a "warts and all" final report that will "help lead all of Thurrock's schools forward".

The commission, chaired by the former head of the school inspectorate Ofsted, Christine Gilbert, has been created by the council to identify the strengths of Thurrock schools that are doing well, and to use good practice to help all schools to achieve the best they can.

Its report, expected in September, is set to highlight opportunities for schools to develop and improve, while also making a series of recommendations geared towards ensuring all of the borough's schools are reaching for 'good'
or 'outstanding' in Ofsted terms.

Last week Ms Gilbert started work, meeting teachers, senior council staff as well as school governors and councillors to find the most effective ways of moving forward.

Cllr Kent said: "We know not everything in the garden is rosy and that's why we've asked Christine to spend the next few weeks looking closely at education here in Thurrock.

"We have seen some great improvement in core subjects such as English and maths and many of our schools are improving at a rate well ahead of the national average.

"We want to be able to take this best practice and success and use it to help all schools.

"We also know having all schools 'good' or 'outstanding' can't happen overnight. The new Ofsted regime simply won't allow it, but we do want all our schools to offer the best chances to our children - and that's what the commission will help us deliver."

Crossing consultation announced

2013-05-21T17:38:08Z

Thurrock Council Leader, Cllr John Kent, says he is disappointed the government consultation of the Thames Crossing does not offer a None of the above option.

Speaking on Tuesday (21 May), Cllr Kent said: "Our own poll over the past few months has made it perfectly clear we do not want any more crossings in our borough."

But he added: "I've only had a chance to have a quick look at the consultation documents. There is no None of the above, but there is an 'Other' option.

"When Thurrock Council puts in its response, it will be under that Other option."

The online consultation can be reached via www.thurrock.gov.uk/thamescrossing

Cllr Kent said: "Over recent weeks there have been several other developments which seem to support our main point - it's not that we don't want a new crossing, it's that neither we, nor our country needs one.

"With plans for a crossing in east London, talk about strategic links to the strange Boris Island airport, and investment at the current choke points - free-flow tolls at Dartford and at least some investment at Junction 30 - is a new crossing really necessary?

"All I want is a sensible discussion; one that takes all the options into consideration, not some sort of ad hoc debate which concentrates on various headline-grabbing schemes - to get that, everyone needs to tick the 'Other' box and say why."

He added that in the coming days, Thurrock Council's transport team would be examining all the government's documents - it would be impossible to come up with a detailed engineering and costed counter argument to the proposals at this stage."

He said: "It's all very well having a consultation about lines on a map that won't appear as roads on the ground for ten years or more if it simply suggests a major infrastructure project.

"But, as I have been saying for months now, what is badly needed is investment now, especially at Junction 30, to release Thurrock's own growth agenda.

"The minister was at Tilbury this morning - he knows what is needed and it isn't just lines and arrows on a map. That means blight for Thurrock people's homes; that means uncertainty for Thurrock's businesses; and it poses the question: have all the options been considered, including no new crossing?"

Adjudicator backs council objection

2013-05-21T17:04:11Z

Thurrock Council Leader, Cllr John Kent, says he welcomes the decision of the Schools Adjudicator over admission proposals by one of the borough's new academies.

Woodside Academy in Grangewood Avenue, Little Thurrock, had wanted to change its admission criteria to give precedence to children in its nursery classes.

Cllr Kent said: "The council objected because this could prevent children who live closer to the school, but who couldn't attend nursery, getting into the school's reception class.

"Thurrock Council has to look at the opportunities for all children in the borough and it has to ensure all schools - whatever their type, academy, church or other - are held accountable.

"But I don't want this to be seen as a 'council knocks academy' story as some will probably claim. I want to work closely with our schools to give each and every child the best possible chance - and the adjudicator agrees with us in this case."

Full details of the adjudication are below, but Cllr Kent said: "I'd like to pick out some phrases from the adjudication. She says that while the proposals offer 'advantage to those children, it disadvantages those whose parents decide not to, or cannot, make use of the nursery provision, or need different provision, or [who] do not gain a place.'

"She also writes: 'The school has sought to make this link with the nursery classes by naming them as a feeder school. It has offered no evidence to show how they may be lawfully designated as a school".

Cllr Kent also highlighted the adjudicator's statement that "it is unfair to determine admissions into the school where the admissions arrangements are regulated by statute, largely by reference to attendance at the nursery class where admission arrangements are not regulated".

He said: "Like the adjudicator, I do not think the school proposed this scheme for anything other than educational reasons, but the council's duty is to the wider community, not a single school.

"Some people will claim we did this for political, anti-academy reasons, but nothing could be further from the truth."

Whitsun - same day, same service

2013-05-21T17:03:48Z

There will be no changes to refuse collection days due to the Whitsun bank holiday on Monday, 27 May - or throughout that week.

The collection crews will be working on Bank Holiday Monday, so all three wheeled bin collections will be as usual - streets that usually have a Monday collection will still be on the Monday, Tuesday on Tuesday and so on.

However, people are being reminded that the collection system is changing in from Monday, 3 June.

Portfolio holder, Cllr Victoria Holloway, said: "Over Whitsun there will be no changes; it is usual service, usual day, but the following week your bin collection day may change.

"Some will notice no change at all, while others will see their day of collection change. We will still be collecting general waste, dry recycling and kitchen and garden waste every week, but we are making changes to the routes to make them more effective and efficient."

All residents will get information cards delivered through their door to tell them what their collection day will be and details of each home's collections will be available on the council's website (www.thurrock.gov.uk/waste). The information cards will all be delivered by the 31 May and the website will all be updated by that date too.

"We expect a few teething problems," said Cllr Holloway, "people might get their days mixed up - or forget the change - or crews may forget a road as they learn the new route.

"We've taken this into account and are ready to offer help, advice and support in the weeks following the changes."

Fine for not clearing rubbish

2013-05-20T13:12:42Z

A Grays woman was fined £500 and ordered to pay full costs of nearly £1,000 after not clearing rubbish from her garden.

On Friday (17 May) Basildon Magistrates found Victoria Porter a private tenant living at Whitehall Lane, Grays, guilty of Breaching a Notice served under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949.

Porter did not attend court and was found guilty in her absence.

The court heard the notice was served after environmental protection officers from Thurrock Council visited the home in September last year following a complaint.

A large accumulation of rubbish was seen with items in it that could harbour or entice vermin including food waste and putrescible items of household waste.

Porter failed to remove the rubbish, breaching the notice and was fined £500, ordered to pay £15 victim support, and full costs of £971.23 - a total of £1,486.23.

Celebrating anniversaries

2013-05-20T12:03:18Z

It was anniversary time at Blackshots Library on Saturday (18 May).

Not only was the library itself celebrating 60 years of serving the local
community, part of Saturday's entertainment was the music of Grays Town Band - which is celebrating its 125th anniversary.

Saturday's event was the culmination of a week of celebrations and there were photographic displays, a bookmark competition for children and Story Time sessions throughout the day .

Visitors to the Blackshots Lane library - including Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Yash Gupta and ward councillors Ben Maney and Joy Redsell - were offered tea and cakes as they strolled around the building.

Cllr Gupta judged the bookmark competition, cut a birthday cake and gave a speech on the value of libraries in the community.

Over a thousand residents visited during the day.

Writers' Festival success

2013-05-20T11:43:51Z

The first Thurrock Writers' Festival was held at the Thameside complex in Grays on Saturday (18 May)

Many visited the day-long event organised by Thurrock Council's libraries service, including Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Yash Gupta.

They could chat with local authors, share writing tips, buy books, or attend the free creative writing workshops.

Jean Fullerton ran a creative writing hints workshop which was full of inspiration and practical tips on how to write and get published and the Thurrock Writers Circle ran a successful short-story workshop stimulating the imaginations of those who came along.

As part of the festival a poetry and short-story competition was held and the winners were announced on the day - each won a Waterstones (Lakeside) gift voucher donated by the store.

The theme for both competitions was Thurrock and the winning entries were short story: 1 Danielle Chinnon, Thors Rock; 2 Karen Collibee, Wish you were here; and 3 Wendy Mach, I wish it had never happened. Poetry: 1 Steve Davis, Grays Nostalgia; 2 Trevor Rawson, Our Thurrock often ignored; and 3 Joy Ridgewell, My home town.

Cllr Gupta said: "On behalf of the council's library service I would like to thank Waterstones at Lakeside, Thurrock Writers Circle and all the local authors who supported this event.

"It's been a great success and I'm told the council will be organising another festival next year."

Be creative at the Thameside

2013-05-20T11:35:33Z

Creativity is the name of the game at the Thameside Theatre in Grays over half term week as workshops for young people are being held.

Between Tuesday (28 May) and Friday (31 May) and between 10am and 4pm daily, young people aged between 11 and 16 can take part in the Creative Blast: Act Up! film workshop, where they can have a shot at writing, directing and starring in their own film.

They will work with a professional filmmaker to learn the performing, camera, sound and directing skills needed and by the end of the four days they will have their own short film to show on the silver screen.

The cost is £75 and can be booked from the Thameside box office on 0845 300 5264.

But if performing live is more attractive, come along and tread the boards of the Thameside stage for the three day - Monday (28 May) to Thursday (30 May) - stage workshop working with professional actor/musician Lorna-Marie Moore to learn the various skills needed to make it to the West End.

Creative Blast's Act Up! stage workshop delves into the world of theatre and perfecting skills in improvisation, text interpretation, characterisation and devising, with a short performance at the end of the three days.

The Act Up Workshop is aimed at eight- to 16-year-olds and will be held between 10am to 4pm on easch of the four days. Bookings should be made through the biox office on 0845 300 5264 and cost £55.

For the younger star-struck hopefuls, Creative Blast is putting on From Page To Stage - Roald Dahl workshop on the Friday (31 May) between 10am and 3pm.

At a cost of £20 (booked through the theatre's box office on 0845 300 5264) four- to seven-year-olds can explore the scrumdiddlyumptious world of Roald Dahl, and enjoy stories including The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Ex-driver must pay £1,000 costs

2013-05-20T10:13:48Z

A former Grays taxi driver has been ordered to pay £1,000 costs after withdrawing his appeal against a Thurrock Council decision to take his licence away.

Ghani Rhaman Ghani, 42, of Clarence Road, had appeared at the council's licensing sub-committee in October last year, which heard he had earlier misled the council's sub-committee by claiming he had not been convicted of an offence..

Members heard there had been "a clear breach of licence conditions" when he responded to questions about driving without insurance and a speeding conviction.

Ghani appealed against the sub committee's decision to revoke his Hackney Carriage / Private Hire driver's licence and the appeal was due to be heard at Basildon Magistrate's Court on Monday,13 May.

However he withdrew the appeal on the day and was ordered to pay £1,000 towards the council's costs.

Cllr Angie Gaywood, Thurrock Council's portfolio holder for public protection, said: "Securing the safety of passengers in Thurrock's hackney carriages and private hire vehicles is paramount and we are committed to ensuring we take appropriate action against those who flout our rules and regulations."

And Cllr Mike Stone, chair of the council's licensing committee, added: "I hope this serves as a warning to our licence holders than any breach of their licence terms will be judged seriously and it is the responsibility of licence holders to review their conditions and ensure they are not breached."

He said: "It will also serve as a warning that an appeal without good grounds can be a costly experience."

Booksale planned

2013-05-20T08:34:46Z

Grays Library will be hosting a book sale throughout the half-term week.

Thurrock Council's library service has been looking closely at its stock of books and those that are no longer needed are being put on sale.

The library - at the Thameside complex in Orsett Road,Grays - will hold the Big Book Sale from Friday, 24 May until Saturday, 1 June, at usual library opening hours - excluding bank holiday Monday.

Two weeks later the library will be having a sale of its unwanted CDs and DVDs on Friday and Saturday, 14 and 15 June.