The Mayor announced that since being elected Mayor she had the privilege of attending a number of events.

Members were informed that she had attended a BBC Symphony Orchestra event with school children from across the borough at the High House backstage centre High in Purfleet, and that schools had worked very hard with pupils who had learnt about Holst, Beethoven, Mozart and all the classic composers.

Councillor G. Rice arrived at the meeting at 7.10pm.

The Chamber were advised that the Rotary Club had received over 400 entries for the Thurrock Cycle Marathon where riders could undertake a 7 mile or 21 mile bike ride, which had raised considerable sums of money for charity and involved riders of all ages and abilities.

The Mayor further highlighted that the Thurrock Gurkha and Nepalese Community had held a Charity night for the earthquake victims in Nepal and raised £3,000 towards a new classroom in a small village.

The Leader of the Council reported that there had recently been a meeting held at East Thurrock United’s ground in Corringham where around 200 people had attended to have their say about the possibility of creating a Parish Council for the area, and specifically what to do about the condition of the roads.

The Leader of the Council further reported that when it was time for the Council to decide whether or not a Parish Council should be created, the question that needed to be asked by Members by law was not to do with the roads, but first and foremost was whether or not a Parish Council would enhance community cohesion on the Frost Estate.

The Chamber were advised that the Leader of the Council had said he would try to arrange a coming together of minds from the various interested parties so that the issues could be discussed and an amicable agreement reached. He observed that the joining together of diaries was unlikely to be easy but that he felt it would be the best way forward.

Members were advised that the Mayor had agreed to hold an extraordinary meeting of Council in August with standing orders suspended to discuss the Frost Estate Parish Council proposal, in order to allow all interested parties to have their say and be heard directly by all 49 Councillors who would ultimately decide.

The Leader remarked that it would give the Council an additional four weeks to ensure as many people as possible were involved in the discussions whilst also allowing Thurrock Council enough time to make its decision on a Parish Council before the September deadline.

Councillor Stewart remarked that she had not received any correspondence regarding potential dates of a meeting with residents and asked if she had been missed of the list, to which the Leader of the Council explained that an invitation had not yet been circulated as he felt it was important to coordinate a suitable date with residents first.

RESOLVED:

That an extraordinary meeting of the Council be convened during August in order to consider the proposal to create a Frost Estate Parish Council.