The Mayor invited all those present to reflect on and remember Thurrock’s fallen of World War One.

The Mayor welcomed Members back from the long summer break and made the following announcements:

That September marked 16 years of the atrocious attack on 9/11 and he had the opportunity to accompany 24 students and teachers from local schools in Thurrock on a visit to the 9/11 museum, the United Nations and to hear from witnesses and Mayor of New York about how they coped with the event and had rebuilt their community. The Mayor stated how proud he had been of the exemplary behaviour of the students.

The Mayor congratulated all Thurrock artists who had been involved in the Thurrock 100 event over the summer and that he was working with Well House Gallery to show case some of their work and thanked Terry Finnegan for allowing his work to be displayed in the Mayor’s parlour.

The Mayor was sorry to announce the passing away of ex-Mayor George Watts last week who had been Mayor for the year 1988-89 and had chaired a number of scrutiny committees. The Mayor had not worked with him on the Council, but had been aware of his community work on behalf of the Council and that thoughts were with his family at this time.

That earlier this month, the Mayor wrote to all members to remind them about the responsibility to adhere to the code of conduct that Members signed up to as community leaders. The Mayor stated that no matter how passionate Members got he hoped that all Members could display a moral example to the community.  As to debating of issues tonight, the Mayor reminded member and also asked residents in the public gallery to be calm and allow questions and answers to be heard. He understood that passions could run high but both the question and the answers had to be heard. The Mayor thanked all in advance for their usual calm behaviour.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Gledhill, updated Members on the following:

Clean It, Cut It, Fill It, since April this year a continued investment had been made to these important services. That 10 extra street cleansing rounds had continued with nearly 950 tonnes of rubbish collected. That 10 new ride-on-grass mowers had cut 9,000 acres of grass and that £2 million had been invested in road repairs and improvement to surface or treated 44 square kilometres of roads and filled over 4,000 potholes.

Councillor Gledhill stated that five action days had been held in the Grays Town Centre with Police and Council Enforcement Officers tackling street drinking, littering and businesses who had no trade waste duty of care documents. That 44 Fixed Penalty Notices for breaches of the Grays Public Space Protection Orders notices had been issued, covering abusive language and failing to comply with alcohol provisions. Three persistent offenders breaching the Public Space Protection Orders had been subject to prosecution for persistent breach. Also 13 businesses were visited regarding the inspection of trade waste duty of care documents with five penalty notices being issued to businesses who had previously received warnings.

Councillor Gledhill confirmed that 21 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued to persons who littered and encouraged residents to stop dropping rubbish on Thurrock streets as the Council would fine them.

Councillor Gledhill was pleased to report that one of Thurrock’s operatives who wished to remain anonymous, saved the resident’s life by quickly applying first aid skills after they had collapsed. Councillor Gledhill stated he intended to thank them personally for their swift actions on behalf of all Members.

Councillor Gledhill attended a reception at 10 Downing Street with a number of other Essex Members of Parliament and the Police and Crime Commissioner and discussed a number of issues:

•           Illegal Traveller Incursion Enforcement: A lack of direct action from Essex Police when there are unauthorised encampments in the borough and the delay in how Police deal with such encampments in Thurrock.

•           Thanks were given to the Police and Crime Commissioner for the extra work undertaken by the Grays Town Centre Team in helping tackle the issue of street drinkers and had reminded him that there were other Designated Public Places Order’s that had become Public Space Protection Orders that needed policing.

•           The extension of camera enforcement for moving traffic offences such as breaching width restrictions, blocking yellow box junctions and similar offences in Thurrock. This would be vital to keep the heavy logistics traffic moving and at the same time keep residents safe.

Councillor Gledhill stated that following an announcement made on Tuesday 26 September a temporary stop had been made to the grounds maintenance service charge for housing. This item will be referred back to Housing Overview and Scrutiny for further consideration and then returned to Cabinet.