Agenda item
Statements by the Leader
Minutes:
The Leader began his statement
and outlined the daily change in the levels of COVID-19 across the
borough. He stated that he would not give a breakdown of cases by
age, but that added that Thurrock currently had 224 positive cases
per 100,000. He confirmed that although COVID levels were rising
across the borough, the number of COVID cases amongst people over
60 had dropped. He added that neighbouring council’s across
Essex and London were also facing increased COVID levels. The
Leader confirmed that the decision surrounding tiers was made by
central government, and Thurrock’s tier position would be
updated next week. He hoped that Thurrock would remain in Tier 2,
and urged residents to practice ‘hands, face, space’,
as well as social distancing and wearing masks in all shops,
regardless of how large they were. He added that the Council would
be working with businesses to make sure they continued to be
COVID-19 compliant.
The Leader moved on and discussed the annual Give a Gift scheme,
which ensured disadvantaged children from across the borough
received presents at Christmas. He stated that donations were
currently being accepted online via an Amazon wish-list, which
would close at midnight on Sunday. He stated that the project
currently needed donations of gift cards, to make sure that older
children could choose presents they really wanted. He stated that
all information was on the Council’s website, and urged
Members to share the scheme on their social media pages. He added
that an email from the Communications team was also being sent
round, and outlined how easy it was to send a gift to a
disadvantaged child. He thanked Thurrock Council staff for their
help in organising the scheme, as well as Amazon, and the people
who had already donated. He stated that donations had been received
from people all around the UK, as well as from people
overseas.
The Leader then discussed the free school meals scheme, which would
ensure that eligible children received £15 per week over the
two weeks’ Christmas break. He stated that the scheme was
grant funded from central government’s Winter Grant Scheme,
and would begin to be distributed on 14 December 2020 directly from
the schools. He added that this would help ensure 6,200 Thurrock
children had enough to eat over the Christmas period, and would be
continued for the February half-term too. He stated that Thurrock
Council were working with central government and volunteers to
ensure the scheme would continue through later half-terms and
school breaks. He thanked all charities and volunteers that were
working with eligible families to ensure that no child went
hungry.
The Leader then outlined the Transforming Homes scheme, which had
continued to renovate and improve the homes of 205 families living
in the borough’s high rises and flats. He stated that new
windows had been fitted, as well as communal areas being decorated
and new external doors fitted. He gave the example of Derwent
Parade, and the benefits that residents had already seen from the
scheme in this area. The Leader moved on and stated that the Local
Plan consultation had started today, which would create a direction
for Thurrock’s communities. He stated that the Council were
working with the Prince’s Foundation on the ‘BIMBY
Project’, which stood for Beauty in my Back Yard. He
encouraged all residents to take part in the consultation process,
and highlighted how successful the charrette process had been in
Aveley.
The Leader then outlined the Clean It, Cut It, Fill It update, and
stated that 1938 potholes had been filled, all within target time;
260 tonnes of litter had been cleared; 814 fly-tips had been
cleared; and 2342 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued.
The Leader summarised and stated that the discretionary grant
scheme was still running and offered help for businesses across
Thurrock struggling with the impact of COVID. He urged those
businesses that needed support to discuss this with the Council, as
the team would work with businesses on an individual basis to make
sure they had the support they needed. He added that individuals
struggling to pay their Council bills should also discuss this with
the team, as the Council could help set up payment plans and offer
support. The Leader then wished everyone across the borough a Merry
Christmas and a happy New Year, even though it would not be the
same festive season as in previous years. He urged residents to
follow government advice and help keep infection rates down over
the Christmas period.