The Mayor stated that his mayoralty had started off busy with him attending 12 separate jubilee events across the borough and thanked all the community groups who had ensured this historical event had been accessible for all. Two flag flying events had taken place, firstly the Armed Forces and the other for Gay Pride. Thanks were given to Reverend Canon Darren Barlow for the use of the church’s flagpole which had provided the magnificent backdrop of the historic church. Thanks were also given for allowing the church to be open prior to council for members to formally take their oath to public service and the Queen. The Mayor informed Members the first round of Mayoral Role of Honour names would be published in next month’s agenda and encouraged all to forward the names of those people helping to make Thurrock a great place to live, work and play. The Mayor congratulated Councillor Gledhill who had become the longest serving Leader of Thurrock as a Unitary Council. Members were invited to the parlour following the meeting to be presented with their lapel pin of the borough crest.

Councillor Gledhill, Leader of the Council, made the following announcements:

Councillor Gledhill had attended an event at the Port of Tilbury to mark Windrush Day and the 74^th Anniversary of the arrival of Empire Windrush. He had joined the Mayor, Cabinet Members and members from across the Council in raising the Armed Forces Flag this week which not only represented the services given by the serving army, navy and air force but also commemorated those veterans who had served to protect the countryand for those cadets that will do so in the future.

Councillor Gledhill referred to the “Scam Awareness Fortnight” in recognition of the excellent work being carried out by the Trading Standards Team, who had also been named runner-up in the national Regulatory Excellence Awards. Referred to text and email scam messages and encouraged all to report these to the Citizens Advice Scan Action Service. Councillor Gledhill thanked the Director of Communications for the work undertaken.

Councillor Gledhill then referred to some upcoming events:

·       Next Monday the Mayor, Councillor Abbas and Councillor Huelin will raise the Remembering Srebrenica flag outside St Peter & St Paul’s Church in Grays ahead of remembering Srebrenica Day on 11 July 2022. This would then be followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and the blessing of a tree which had been planted in Grays Town Park. 

·       On Friday 8 July 2022, the Education Awards Ceremony will take place to recognise some of the staff heroes from the boroughs’ schools. Also on this date will see the Commonwealth Games Baton arrive into the Port of Tilbury as it makes its way back to Birmingham for the start of the games on 28 July 2022.

Councillor Gledhill provided an update on Clean It, Cut It, Fill It that since April 2022:

·       Had filled 534 potholes.

·       Had cleared 341 fly-tips

·       Removed over 410 tonnes of waste from our streets and other public areas.

·       Had issued 522 fixed penalty notices for offences including littering, spitting and dropping cigarette ends.

Councillor Gledhill concluded that going forward he would be expanding on other services achieved as part of his announcements.