As 2024 draws to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on the year just gone, as we also start to make plans for the year ahead.
Since I became Leader of the Council following the local elections in May, I’ve been really pleased with the progress the council has made on our journey to recover from the financial problems caused by past investment decisions, always with the clear aim of reducing any impact on residents, and putting the foundations in place to build a better future for Thurrock.
My priority as Leader this year has been to start to rebuild trust with you – the Thurrock community. I know we need to work hard to do that, and that it’s really important we are open and transparent about the decisions we take, and that we involve you in our plans. Our first ‘Ask the council’ public question time last month was a great opportunity to hear from you, our residents, about the issues and concerns that matter most to you, and do our best to answer them. We’ve published the full list of questions and answers, and we’re planning more events like this across the borough in 2025.
There have been so many other highlights this year, not least the opening of the Purfleet Pantry which supports local people who are struggling to feed themselves and their families, with very low cost food and other support. It’s been a brilliant community effort, run by volunteers with lots of help from council officers and councillors, and know it’s making a real difference. We hope to open more pantries in the future, as we know the cost of living continues to bite for local people. If you’re finding things tough, have a look at our Thurrock Cares campaign, that we launched with voluntary and community partners in the autumn, has lots of helpful advice and support available if you need help, so please don’t struggle in silence.
Thinking back to the summer, Thurrock’s Big Lunches – a joint effort between the council, other local organisations, and community groups – were a huge success again, with a over 7,500 residents enjoying one of ten family fun days across the borough. From bouncy castles to face painting, acrobatics to ice cream, it was fantastic to see so many Thurrock residents enjoying our parks and open spaces, and having fun in the sunshine.
I mentioned the financial problems the council faces and I know that many residents understandably feel very angry about the mistakes of the past, as do I. I want to assure you that we are leaving no stone unturned in recovering as much of the lost money as we can with action lodged in the courts against various parties who were involved. We’ve also been working really hard to get our budgets back on track, with a clear focus on protecting frontline services and limiting any impact on residents. After two years of painful council tax increases, I’m pleased we’ve managed to get things back on track enough that we can plan for a 4.99% increase which equates to about £1.65 extra per week for the average home. I wish I didn’t have to increase council tax at all, but almost all councils have been increasing by this amount each year to help pay for growing demands for services like adult social care, and we are no different.
What I can promise is that we will continue to use your public money to deliver excellent services for Thurrock residents. As our recent Children’s Service’s Ofsted rating of ‘Outstanding’ shows (one of only six councils across the country to achieve this highest grade over the last five years), we can and must continue to aim high and achieve the very best for Thurrock residents.
Next year promises to be another eventful year, with improvements planned in lots of parts of our borough, including in Grays and Tilbury through the Towns Fund projects, and the Government’s plans for handing more powers to local areas starting to take shape. We don’t yet know what the reorganisation of local government might mean for Thurrock, but while we work through that detail with our neighbouring boroughs, and the government, we will not lose sight of our main focus which is doing the best we can for those who live and work in Thurrock.
But for now I will end by wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and I hope to see you out and about in Thurrock in 2025.
Best wishes,
Cllr John Kent
Leader of Thurrock Council