Agenda item
Statements by the Leader
Minutes:
The Leader began his statement
by discussing the government’s roadmap to recovery as
children returned to school this week for face-to-face lessons;
care home residents could now receive one nominated visitor; and
residents could now meet with one person outside their homes, as
long as social distancing remained in place. He then stated that
39,000 first dose vaccines had been given in Thurrock this week,
and 1,300 second dose vaccines had also been given. He explained
that the number of positive COVID cases had dropped by 96% in
Thurrock from early January, and numbers were now returning to
levels that had not been seen since October. He felt that although
the numbers were moving in the right direction, people still needed
to follow the guidelines. He described how the next step of the
roadmap could not be carried out unless certain criteria, such as
reduced rates of infection, continued vaccine deployment and a
lower risk to the NHS, had been met, and urged residents to follow
the rules and guidance to ensure the next step of the roadmap could
take place when due.
The Leader stated that Thurrock needed to be prepared for the next
step of the roadmap by continuing to get tested regularly,
particularly working-age men who could not work from home. He
explained that there were many locations across the borough where
tests could be accessed, which included walk-through centres,
drive-thru centres and a new drop in testing centre in South
Ockendon. He urged residents to continue to take care as the next
stage of the roadmap occurred, including parents on the school run
maintaining social distancing and not forming crowds during
drop-off and pick-up times. The Leader added that the Prime
Minister would be assessing the data before moving on to the next
roadmap step, and felt that this allowed Thurrock time to prepare
for the next step of rule relaxation. He stated that Thurrock were
working with pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues to
ensure they can open safely outdoors, in a COVID secure way, on 12
April, as well as working with other non-essential retailers who
were due to open. He urged residents to continue to follow the
guidance of ‘hands, face, space’ and felt that if
residents continued with their hard work, the ultimate goal of
leaving lockdown for good would be achieved.
The Leader then outlined the COVID figures for Thurrock and stated
that between 26 February and 4 March, there had been 15 positive
COVID cases for those under 18, which had decreased from 26 cases
the previous week; 60 positive cases for those aged between 18-49,
which had decreased from 98 cases the previous week; 8 positive
cases for those aged between 50-59; which had decreased from 21
cases the previous week; and 6 positive cases for those aged over
70, which had decreased from 10 the previous week. He stated that
therefore there had been a drop in positive cases from 170 to 97
last week. The Leader then stated that 5,526 tests had been carried
out in the previous seven days, which had increased from 4,964 the
week before, which meant that there was currently a positive test
rate of 55.6 per 100,000, which had again dropped from 97.5 per
100,000 the week before. He stated that Thurrock currently had the
82nd highest number of COVID cases across 149 local
authorities, and this had decreased from 70th the week
before.
The Leader moved on and outlined the success of the Thames Freeport
bid, which had been agreed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer as
part of his budget, and meant that Thurrock would be one of eight
new Freeports across the country. He
felt that the Freeport would deliver transformational change across
the borough, as well as creating thousands of new jobs and high
levels of investment. He stated that Thames Freeport would contain
1,700 acres of development land, much of which already had planning
consent due to previous industrial sites on the land. He felt that
the Freeport would provide new opportunities for those who lived
and worked in Thurrock, and would attract billions in private
investment over the next 25 years. He added that over 25,000 direct
jobs and up to 20,000 indirect jobs would be created across
industries such as aerospace, automotive, manufacturing and
processing across the borough.
The Leader stated that the successful Freeport bid also meant that
new specialist training centres would be developed to ensure that
residents could up-skill and secure better-paid roles in brand new
sectors, which would help local communities. He mentioned that
using the river for transport and freight, as well as increasing
rail capacity, would also have a positive impact as it would reduce
the use of road haulage and improve air quality. The Leader
explained that the Free Port would also help Thurrock reach its
goal of a net zero carbon footprint, as Thurrock would become a
centre for clean energy innovation and transformation. He felt that
Thurrock would become more attractive to investors, businesses and
entrepreneurs, and would help improve the lives of residents. He
welcomed the successful bid of the Thames Freeport and felt that it
would reinforce Thurrock as the ports capital of the UK.
The Leader then discussed recent enforcement success, and
highlighted how the Council were willing to take action on those
that blighted the boroughs landscape and were a nuisance for their
neighbours. He highlighted a man from West Thurrock who had to pay
over £3,500 after allowing his rear garden to become a
dumping ground, which had a negative impact on his neighbours. He
felt that all residents had a right to enjoy their gardens, and
stated that the Council would take action when incidents similar to
this were reported by residents. He added that the Council would
also take action against people who dropped cigarette ends, rubbish
and undertook other anti-social behaviour. He stated that the best
way to avoid a fine or fixed penalty notice was to take your
rubbish home or use a litter bin. The Leader stated that since
April 2020, over 3,800 fixed penalty notices had been issued for
offences such as spitting, littering and dropping cigarette ends,
as well as 166 fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping. The Leader
commented that the Council had prosecuted 524 people who did not
pay their fixed penalty notices. He mentioned that the Council had
also attended every dumped vehicle within the borough within 24
hours, and removed all those which the Council had been instructed
to move within 48 hours.
The Leader summarised and stated that this was the last Cabinet
meeting that Roger Harris, the Corporate Director of Adults,
Housing and Health would attend. He stated that Roger had had a
distinguished 40 year career in health and social care, and had
spent the last 13 years at Thurrock. He commented that Roger had
been highly regarded by officers and Members, and would be missed
by Cabinet colleagues, and officers at all levels. The Leader
wished him well for his retirement and thanked him for all his hard
and thoughtful work throughout the years.
Councillor Halden added that he had been a Councillor for 11 years,
and a Portfolio Holder for 7 of those years, and had worked very
closely with Roger. He felt that Roger had been an excellent
director, and had been very supportive during the early stages of
his Portfolio Holder career. He stated that Roger had helped to
build a resilient care system and had helped to protect the most
vulnerable residents. Councillor Halden thanked him for his hard
work, and wished him well in his retirement. He welcomed the new
Corporate Director Adults, Housing and Health, Ian Wake, into the
role and felt the good work would continue under his leadership.
Councillor Huelin also gave her personal thanks to Roger, as he had
helped her over the past six years as Portfolio Holder. She felt
that Roger should be proud of his achievements and wished him well
in the future.
Councillor Hebb added his personal thanks to Roger for all his hard
work, and felt he had been authentic and visible throughout his
time as director. He added that Roger had managed to achieve good
outcomes for the service, and had been an excellent leader during
the COVID-19 crisis. He mentioned that Roger had also built a
fantastic team, and felt pleased that Ian would continue this work.
Councillor Mayes commented that although he had not worked with
Roger as long as others, he was pleased to have worked with him for
the 13 months he had been Portfolio Holder. He stated that they had
only worked together for six weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic,
but despite that they had still managed to push forward with the
Integrated Medical Centres and other projects. He thanked Roger for
all his guidance and support, and wished him the best of luck for
the future.
Councillor Watkins reiterated the thanks that had already been
given and added that Roger had been a particular help to him
personally during his time on the Health and Wellbeing Board and
Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He felt that
Roger had always listened to his ideas, and had supported him in
his Cabinet role. Councillor Johnson summarised and thanked Roger
for his hard work in the Housing directorate. He felt Roger had
continually worked hard and provided invaluable knowledge. He
stated that both Roger and Carol Hinvest, the Housing Assistant
Director, would be missed.