The Mayor invited all those present to reflect on and remember Thurrock’s fallen of World War One.

The Mayor welcomed Members to the first Full Council meeting of the year.

Thank you to Councillor Sue Little’s team for organising the very successful ‘Give a Gift’ initiative. This had led to numerous generous gifts being bought and donated by Thurrock residents. So, on behalf of everyone involved, the Mayor thanked the Portfolio Holder for her generosity with around 1850 children in Thurrock receiving presents.

The Mayor attended a foster carer event at Orsett Hall last week that recognised the good work undertaken by Thurrock Foster Carers.

Numerous residents, school children and Members turned out to mark the international Holocaust Memorial Day on 26 January 2018. Stifford Clays and Hathaway Academy Schools had organised a presentation at Thameside Theatre to recite poems and songs in line with the theme, the Power of Words. The Mayor thanked Samson DeAlyn and Sharon of Learning Works and the students of Warren Primary, Woodside, Tudor Court, Corringham, Deneholm Primary Schools and Gable Hall.

The Mayor thanked Well House Gallery and the artist, Lisa Anderson, for continuing to allow him to showcase their work in the parlour.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Gledhill, updated Members on the following:

Keep Britain Tidy had now reassessed the borough on its cleanliness and had improved on most of the scores with the exception of graffiti. As part of the £2.3 million windfall from working good sound investments, special equipment will be purchased to clear this up where the Council had a responsible to do so.

To date nearer 3500 enforcement notices had been issued for littering and 10 offenders prosecuted in January 2018, of which 6 of those were people from outside the borough. The Leader stated that people need to stop using Thurrock as a tip and bin their rubbish.

8 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued to a garage business in Tilbury following complaints from residents and the local school. Those businesses must be held responsible for their rubbish.

The next Lower Thames Crossing Task Force Group will meet on the 19 February 2018 and will focus on the visible impacts that the crossing may bring. Lower Thames Crossing Task Force Group meetings will now be themed to ensure that Highways England have the appropriate specialists in attendance to answer the right questions being presented by cross party Members.

That as part of the £2.3 million windfall, the Council will spend an extra £380,000 to get independent facts and data to properly challenge Highways England on their plans to build the Lower Thames Crossing through the borough. This will help the Lower Thames Task Force Group to continue their good work going forward.

The Leader met with over 100 businesses from Thurrock at a business lunch at Orsett Hall last week, which had been well received with businesses who were confident to have their business in Thurrock. Councillor Gledhill had received an increase in enquiries on how business premises can be further increased in Thurrock.