Thurrock Council

Thurrock Borough Council
Logo
Type
Type
Leadership
Kairen Raper,
Labour
since 22 May 2024[1]
John Kent,
Labour
since 22 May 2024
Dave Smith
since 21 March 2023[2]
Structure
Seats49 councillors[3]
Thurrock Council composition
Political groups
Administration (27)
  Labour (27)
Other parties (22)
  Conservative (13)
  Independent (9)
Length of term
Four years
Elections
First past the post
Last election
2 May 2024
Next election
1 May 2025
Motto
By Thames to all the peoples of the world[4]
Meeting place
Thurrock Town Hall, New Road, Grays, RM17 6SL
Website
www.thurrock.gov.uk
Constitution
Constitution

Thurrock Council is the local authority for the borough of Thurrock in the ceremonial county of Essex, England. Since 1998 the council has been a unitary authority, being a district council which also performs the functions of a county council. It is a member of the East of England Local Government Association. The council is based in Grays.

In 2022 the council's level of debt arising from failed investments led to it issuing a Section 114 notice, being the local authority equivalent of declaring bankruptcy. The government directed neighbouring Essex County Council to take over Thurrock's finances and also appointed a new managing director for the council.

Since 2024, the government has planned to abolish the council and merge it with other parts of Essex as part of its planned reorganisation of local government in Essex in 2025, with the next local elections in 2025 likely postponed until 2026.[5]

History

[edit]

Thurrock Urban District had been created in 1936 from the former urban districts of Grays Thurrock, Purfleet and Tilbury and the Orsett Rural District.[6]

Urban districts were abolished in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. A new non-metropolitan district called Thurrock was created covering almost the same area as the former Thurrock Urban District, with just a minor change on the border with Basildon to place the whole designated area for Basildon new town in that district.[7][8] The reformed Thurrock district was given borough status at the same time, allowing the council to call itself "Thurrock Borough Council" and letting the chair of the council the title of mayor.[9]

The council was made a unitary authority on 1 April 1998, taking over county-level services in the area from Essex County Council. The way the change was implemented was to create a new non-metropolitan county of Thurrock covering the borough, but with no separate county council; instead, the existing borough council took over county council functions, making it a unitary authority. Since 1998 the council has generally styled itself "Thurrock Council" rather than "Thurrock Borough Council".[10] Thurrock remains part of the ceremonial county of Essex for the purposes of lieutenancy.[11]

The planning function for large developments was exercised by the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation in the whole of the borough from 2003 to 2012.[12][13]

Financial difficulties

[edit]

In 2020, it emerged that the council had borrowed £420 million to buy into the solar power market, eventually rising to a total investment of £655 million.[14] One of the companies in which the council had invested, Toucan Energy, went into administration on 11 November 2022.[15][16] Businessman Liam Kavanagh is accused of cheating the council out of as much as £130 million in relation to the deals.[17] Thurrock also made a £94 million loan to the Just Loans Group plc, a business lender which went bankrupt in June 2022.[18]

On 2 September 2022, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities intervened in the running of Thurrock Council, passing financial control of the council to Essex County Council, as well as ordering a Best Value Inspection, in response to concerns about the council's level of financial risk and debt.[19] The council's financial exposure arises from loans of more than a billion pounds used to fund commercial investments. Council leader Rob Gledhill resigned on 2 September 2022, the day the government intervention was announced.[20]

On 29 November 2022, Thurrock Council admitted that in that financial year it had a near £500 million budget deficit, mostly from failed investments. It asked for emergency financial assistance from the government.[18][21] On 19 December 2022 the council issued a Section 114 notice barring any new expenditure, being the local authority equivalent of declaring bankruptcy.[22][23] In March 2023 the government appointed a new managing director for the council, Dave Smith.[24]

Governance

[edit]

As a unitary authority, Thurrock Council provides all local government services, albeit with oversight of the council's finances from Essex County Council since the government intervention in September 2022. There are no civil parishes in the borough, which is an unparished area.[25]

Political control

[edit]

The council has been under Labour majority control since the 2024 election.

Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms has been as follows:[26][27]

Lower tier non-metropolitan district

Party in control Years
Labour 1974–1979
No overall control 1979–1982
Labour 1982–1998

Unitary authority

Party in control Years
Labour 1998–2004
Conservative 2004–2007
No overall control 2007–2012
Labour 2012–2014
No overall control 2014–2021
Conservative 2021–2024
No overall control[28] 2024–2024
Labour 2024–present

Leadership

[edit]

The role of Mayor of Thurrock is largely ceremonial, usually being held by a different councillor each year. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council. The leaders since 1989 have been:[29]

Councillor Party From To
Jimmy Aberdein[30] Labour 1989 1995
Andy Smith[31][32] Labour 1995 30 Jun 2004
Anne Cheale Conservative 30 Jun 2004 24 May 2006
Terry Hipsey Conservative 24 May 2006 25 Mar 2009
Garry Hague Conservative 25 Mar 2009 19 May 2010
John Kent Labour 19 May 2010 25 May 2016
Rob Gledhill[33] Conservative 25 May 2016 2 Sep 2022
Mark Coxshall Conservative 13 Oct 2022 7 May 2023
Andrew Jefferies[34] Conservative 24 May 2023 22 May 2024
John Kent Labour 22 May 2024

Composition

[edit]

Following the 2024 election, the composition of the council was:[35][36][37][28]

Party Councillors
Labour 27
Conservative 13
Independent 9
Total 49

Of the nine independent councillors, eight sit together as the "Non-political Alliance of Independent Councillors", the other does not belong to a group.[38] The next election is due in May 2025.[39]

Premises

[edit]
Civic Offices, New Road, Grays: The 1986 original building to the right of the entrance, 1992 central block in the middle and 2022 block to the far left.

The council is based at Thurrock Town Hall on New Road in Grays.[40] When the council was created in 1974 it used the former offices of the Thurrock Urban District Council in a converted house called Farley and adjoining buildings around the junction of Whitehall Lane and Palmers Avenue in Grays.[41] In 1986 the council built itself a new headquarters at the corner of New Road and Derby Bridge Road in the centre of Grays.[42] The building has subsequently been extended westward along New Road with a large central block added in 1992 and a new wing at the corner of New Road and High Street completed in 2022.[43][44]

Elections

[edit]
See also: Thurrock Council elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2004, the council has comprised 49 councillors representing 20 wards, with each ward electing two or three councillors. Elections are held three years out of every four, electing a third of the council each time for a four-year term. In the fourth year of the cycle there is no election.[45] This system will change from 2025, with elections being held every four years for the whole council.[46]

Wards

[edit]

The wards, with their numbers on the map below, are:[45][47]

  • Aveley and Uplands (1)
  • Belhus (3)
  • Chadwell St Mary (14)
  • Chafford and North Stifford (6)
  • Corringham and Fobbing (17)
  • East Tilbury (15)
  • Grays Riverside (7)
  • Grays Thurrock (8)
  • Little Thurrock Blackshots (10)
  • Little Thurrock Rectory (11)
  • Ockendon (2)
  • Orsett (20)
  • South Chafford (5)
  • Stanford East and Corringham Town (18)
  • Stanford-le-Hope West (16)
  • Stifford Clays (9)
  • The Homesteads (19)
  • Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park (12)
  • Tilbury St Chads (13)
  • West Thurrock and South Stifford (4)

Arms

[edit]
Coat of arms of Thurrock Council
Notes
Shield and crest originally granted to Thurrock Urban District Council on 17 January 1957. Supporters granted on 14 May 1976.
Crest
On a wreath of the colours an Albatross rising Proper from a bollard Sable roped Or.
Escutcheon
Argent on a fess wavy between in chief a ship's screw and a wheel Azure and in base a Celtic cross also Azure charged in the centre with a Tudor rose Proper three lymphads Argent.
Supporters
On the dexter a sea-lion guardant Or gutty Sable the tail Vert gutty Or and Argent holding in the dexter claw a block Or tackle Sable and on the sinister a knight in armour tempus 1370 resting the exterior hand on the hilt of his sheathed sword a hound at his feet all Proper upon a compartment per pale water barry wavy Argent and Azure and a representation of a stone quay Proper.
Motto
Secundum Tamesim Quovis Gentium (By The Thames To All The Peoples of the World).[48]

Mayors

[edit]

The mayors since 1982 have included:

Councillor Party From To
Bob Wood[49][50] Labour 1982 1983
Sid Josling[51] Labour 1984 1985
Arthur Clarke[52] Labour 1985 1986
George Watts[53] Labour 1988 1989
John Dunn[54] Labour 1989 1990
Ken Evans[55] Labour 1990 1991
Kitty Price[56] Labour 1991 1992
Pat Rice[57] Labour 1993 1994
Barry Palmer[58] Labour 1994 1995
Reg Lee[59] Labour 1995 1996
Sid Josling[51] Labour 1996 1997
Arthur Bennett[60] Labour 1997 1998
Albert Vandersteen[61] Labour 1998 1999
Carl Morris[62][63] Labour 1999 2000
Julian Norris[64][65] Labour 2000 2001
Barrie Lawrence[64][63] Labour 2001 2002
Gordon Barton[66][63] Labour 2002 2003
Gerard Rice[57][67] Labour 2003 2004
Ian Harrison[68][69] Conservative 2004 2005
Colin Churchman[66][70] Conservative 2005 2006
Joy Redsell[71][72] Conservative 2006 2007
Diane Revell[73] Conservative 2007 2008
John Everett[74] Conservative 2008 2009
Maureen Pearce[75] Conservative 2009 2010
Anne Cheale[76] Thurrock Concerned Conservative 2010 2011
Yash Gupta[77][78] Labour 2011 2013
Tony Fish[79] Labour 2013 2014
Steve Liddiard[80] Labour 2014 2015
Sue Gray[81][82] Labour 2015 2016
Cathy Kent[83][84] Labour 2016 2017
Tunde Ojetola[85] Conservative 2017 2018
Barbara Rice[86] Labour 2018 2019
Terry Piccolo[87] Conservative 2019 2021
Sue Shinnick[88][89] Labour 2021 2022
James Halden[90] Conservative 2022 2023
Sue Little Conservative 2023 2024
Kairen Raper[91] Labour 2024

See also

[edit]

Thurrock, the area with borough status which this council administers.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sexton, Christine (23 May 2024). "Labour takes the reins of 'bankrupt' council". BBC News. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Managing Director Commissioner joins Thurrock Council". Thurrock Council. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Council and democracy: Your Councillors". Thurrock Council. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Thurrock Council Communications Strategy 2021–24" (PDF). Thurrock Council. 13 October 2021. p. 2. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  5. ^ Kendix, Max (20 December 2024). "Taxpayers could be liable for £43bn of debts in council mergers". The Times. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  6. ^ "Thurrock Urban District". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  7. ^ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1972/2039, retrieved 31 May 2023
  8. ^ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1973/551, retrieved 31 May 2023
  9. ^ "District Councils and Boroughs". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 28 March 1974. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  10. ^ "The Essex (Boroughs of Colchester, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock and District of Tendring) (Structural, Boundary and Electoral Changes) Order 1996", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1996/1875, retrieved 9 June 2023
  11. ^ "Lieutenancies Act 1997", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1997 c. 23, retrieved 26 April 2023
  12. ^ "The Thurrock Development Corporation (Area and Constitution) Order 2003", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2003/2896, retrieved 11 June 2023
  13. ^ "The Thurrock Development Corporation (Dissolution) Order 2012", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2012/995, retrieved 11 June 2023
  14. ^ "Court hears Thurrock Council paid £5 million commission to flamboyant entrepreneur to set up flawed solar farm deals. Questions raised about its diligence and fears for the future over its billion pound borrowing strategy". Thurrock Nub News. 17 October 2020.
  15. ^ "TOUCAN ENERGY HOLDINGS 1 LIMITED overview – Find and update company information – GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  16. ^ "Solar farm owner Toucan Energy enters administration amid Thurrock scandal". The Guardian. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  17. ^ "The Sunshine Millionaire: How one man took £130m from British taxpayers". Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  18. ^ a b Butler, Patrick (29 November 2022). "Thurrock council admits disastrous investments caused £500m deficit". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  19. ^ "Government announces intervention into Thurrock Council". gov.uk. 2 September 2022.
  20. ^ Butler, Patrick (2 September 2022). "Tory-run Thurrock council faces inquiry over 'exceptional' debt levels". The Guardian.
  21. ^ Butler, Patrick (30 November 2022). "Thurrock council ignored bankruptcy warnings and took 'unprecedented risks'". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  22. ^ "What happens if a council goes bankrupt?". House of Commons Library. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  23. ^ "Thurrock Council issues S114 notice of financial distress". BBC News. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  24. ^ "Local Government update". UK Parliament. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  26. ^ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  27. ^ "Thurrock". BBC News. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  28. ^ a b "Conservatives lose majority on Thurrock Council after budget vote". BBC News. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
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  30. ^ "Council minutes, 8 October 1997" (PDF). Thurrock Council. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  31. ^ Abbott, Matt (12 August 2014). "Respected senior councillor Andy Smith dies". Thurrock Gazette. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  32. ^ "Tribute to Councillor Andy Smith" (PDF). Thurrock Council. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  33. ^ "Thurrock Council leader resigns as government steps in". BBC News. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  34. ^ Day-Parker, Jessica (14 May 2024). "Thurrock Council leader Andrew Jefferies' resignation". Thurrock Gazette. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  35. ^ "Local elections 2024: full mayoral and council results for England". The Guardian. 4 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  36. ^ "Bus decision is final straw for Tory councillor and she quits Tories". Nub News. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  37. ^ "Thurrock Independents". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  38. ^ "Public reports pack, 23 May 2024" (PDF). Thurrock Council. p. 35. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  39. ^ "The Borough of Thurrock (Scheme of Elections) Order 2024", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2024/543, retrieved 24 May 2024
  40. ^ "Contact us". Thurrock Council. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  41. ^ A History of the County of Essex: Volume 8. London: Victoria County History. 1983. pp. 35–56. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  42. ^ Foundation stone on eastern block says "This foundation stone was laid by the Mayor of Thurrock Cllr. Arthur A. Clarke J.P. March 1986
  43. ^ Foundation stone on central block says "This foundation stone was laid by the Mayor of Thurrock Cllr. Mrs A.M.K. Price May 1992
  44. ^ "Innovative new council building paves way for ambitious regeneration". Thurrock Council. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  45. ^ a b "The Borough of Thurrock (Electoral Changes) Order 2002", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2002/2234, retrieved 11 June 2023
  46. ^ "Local election candidates named". Thurrock Nub News. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  47. ^ "Wards and polling stations". thurrock.gov.uk. Thurrock Council. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  48. ^ "East of England Region". Civic Heraldry of England. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  49. ^ Cowin, Cliff (5 February 2020). "1982 Thurrock Labour Party Annual Christmas Dinner at Tilbury Community Centre". Tilbury and Chadwell Memories. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  50. ^ "Council Backs Village Fight to Ban Dump". Thurrock Gazette. 25 June 1982.
  51. ^ a b "Bet Josling (Thurrock)". Essex County Standard. 1 November 2001. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  52. ^ "The Russian Spy who loved Thurrock". Your Thurrock. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  53. ^ "Meeting of Council, Wednesday, 27th September, 2017 8.00 pm (Item 49.)". Thurrock Council. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  54. ^ Cook, Myles (22 April 1988). "In Other News...". Thurrock Gazette.
  55. ^ Keating, Terry (November 2013). East Thurrock United Club History. pp. 180–181.
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  57. ^ a b "Thurrock: Son follows dad to mayor's post". The Echo. 23 May 2003. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  58. ^ Speight, Neil (16 July 2020). "Tributes to former East Tilbury councillor and borough mayor from across the political divide". Thurrock Nub News. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  59. ^ "Tributes to Reg Lee: Former mayor and war hero". Your Thurrock. 8 March 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  60. ^ "Speak out on plans for Tilbury fort". Essex County Standard. 21 September 1998. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  61. ^ "Albert – driver to the rich and famous, and the mayor of Thurrock". Essex County Standard. 6 October 1998. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  62. ^ "Council Minutes: 8 December 1999" (PDF). Thurrock Council. 8 December 1999. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  63. ^ a b c "Borough Council election" (PDF). Thurrock Borough Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  64. ^ a b "Thurrock: Mayor in office". The Echo. 26 June 2001. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  65. ^ "Stanford-le-Hope East Ward (Pre-2004) Previous Election Results". Thurrock Council. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  66. ^ a b Speight, Neil (26 March 2008). "Farewell and thanks to ex-mayors". The Echo. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  67. ^ Cramer, Lucy; Ellis, Alex (2 May 2008). "Familiar name is back in the council business". Thurrock Gazette. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  68. ^ Pickles, Jonathan (15 March 2018). "Former Thurrock mayor, Ian Harrison, dies after a short illness". Thurrock Gazette. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  69. ^ "Former Mayor of Thurrock, Ian Harrison dies". Your Thurrock. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  70. ^ "Conservatives now officially biggest party on council after shock councillor decision". Thurrock Gazette. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  71. ^ Ellis, Alex (19 September 2007). "Go-kart tragedy". The Echo. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  72. ^ "Councillor Joycelyn Redsell". Thurrock Council. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  73. ^ "Tributes paid to well respected former Thurrock councillor and Mayor Diane Revell". Thurrock Gazette. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  74. ^ "Tributes made to former mayor of Thurrock, John Everett". Your Thurrock. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  75. ^ "New mayor appointed for the borough". Thurrock Gazette. 14 May 2009. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  76. ^ "Thurrock's mayor to retire". Thurrock Gazette. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  77. ^ "Political stalwart Yash Gupta retires after twenty years of public service". Thurrock Gazette. 24 April 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  78. ^ "Yash crushes the opposition". Thurrock Gazette. 2 May 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  79. ^ Abbott, Matt (23 May 2013). "New mayor of Thurrock announced". Thurrock Gazette. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  80. ^ "UKIP abstain as a Labour mayor Steve Liddiard elected in Thurrock". Your Thurrock. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  81. ^ G., Peter (28 May 2015). ""Thurrock's favourite Nan" installed as mayor of Thurrock". Your Thurrock. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  82. ^ "Councillor Sue Gray". Thurrock Council. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  83. ^ "Councillor Cathy Kent elected as new Mayor of Thurrock". The Echo. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  84. ^ "Councillor Cathy Kent". Thurrock Council. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  85. ^ Critchell, Matthew (24 May 2017). "New mayor is elected for Thurrock at ceremony". Thurrock Gazette. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  86. ^ "Chadwell councillor Barbara Rice is elected Mayor of Thurrock". Your Thurrock. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  87. ^ "Councillor Terry Piccolo appointed as new Thurrock Mayor". Thurrock Gazette. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  88. ^ Speight, Neil (27 May 2021). "Sue Shinnick is borough's new mayor". Thurrock Nub News. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  89. ^ "Councillor Sue Shinnick". Thurrock Council. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  90. ^ "New mayor vows Thurrock will 'rival London's square mile'". BBC News. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  91. ^ "Tilbury girl is borough's first citizen – new cabinet is named". Thurrock Nub News. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
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