From

To

Question

 Overview of Response

Councillor Speight

Leader

Does the portfolio holder not believe that this penalises those who will struggle to pay by having to find £80 in a single amount, and that it disadvantages those in the borough that do not have access to online services? 

Leader was not aware of any discussions or meetings that had taken place where it had been discussed or agreed that payments for the garden waste subscriptions could be made through council tax payments as this would not be possible. Residents wishing to join the service could do so online or, they can call the councils contact centre where a subscription to the service can be set up and the payment taken. Residents who may have difficulties preventing them from joining the service online or through the contact centre can get a friend or relative to help them to apply on their behalf. The Leader confirmed council had provided good communication with every household receiving a letter explaining the new services.

Councillor Speight

Leader

Can the Portfolio Holder give the chamber details of provisions being made to offset the problems of flooding in the Stanford West ward? 

Site meeting took place on 18 March with Stanford West Ward members to engage members before a wider public engagement took place to create a flood management scheme for Ruskin Road and Runnymede Road area to mitigate potential flooding in the SLH West ward. The engagement exercise will be undertaken after the Local Elections. Leader promised to provide a written response to Cllr Speight to update him on the £4.3 million piece of land purchased by the council which may now not be useable due to flood risk (former Daybreak Windows).

Councillor Polley

Leader

Would the Leader please advise if any schemes under the Essex Police safer streets initiative have been put forward for Thurrock. 

In the year 2021/22 as part of round 2 of safer streets funding, we were awarded £432,000 with £193,380 match funding for use within Grays High Street. In 2023/24 we were awarded £16,320, which formed part of a wider Essex bid for resources to support the Transport Safety Officers Department for Transport pilot, with information leaflets / personal alarms, torches and anti-drink spiking awareness forming part of that funding. Additionally in 2023/24, through the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s office, Thurrock was awarded £9,286 for addressing violence against women and girls in Corringham (CCTV improvements, additional officer patrols and self-defence classes) and £15,417 for Operation Dial to address anti-social behaviour in West Thurrock and Chafford Hundred station. Looking ahead for 2024/25, we will receive £5,589 to install a new lamp column and CCTV overlooking the playing fields in Aluric Close and a further £10,731 for the Transport Safety Officer, again Essex wide. The Leader agreed that the 79 new officers was great news and how fantastic it would be if more female police officers were recruited.

Councillor Polley

Councillor D Arnold

Would the Portfolio Holder please advise what consideration will be given to existing work programmes

It was not for cabinet to determine the work plans of overview and scrutiny committees it would be for the chair and committee members to have oversight and give consideration of existing and setting their own work programmes.

Councillor J Kent

Councillor B Maney

Will the Portfolio Holder update us on efforts the council is taking to fulfil its responsibilities to ensure the upkeep of this listed building

Since ownership of former state cinema changed in June 2023 work has been undertaken to try and safeguard the future of this local landmark. Owners have now appointed a contractor who has produced a method statement which will form the basis for a scheme of urgent repairs. Owners have also submitted pre planning applications.