The Leader addressed Portfolio Holders informing them of the sad news that former Tilbury Councillor Ken Barrett had passed away. He commented that Ken was a lovely man who wouldn’t have said a bad word about anyone and had continued to work hard for the people of Tilbury.

Councillor Gledhill asked that a one minute silent be held.

The Leader notified Members of the Civic Awards which took place once every two years and were an opportunity to thank and reward our neighbours who quietly went about supporting their community and were often unnoticed. He continued to state this was the chance to take a few minutes to show appreciation and nominate those local heroes for one of the nine Civic Award Categories. Members were advised information on the awards could be found online with nominations opening on Monday 16 October.

Members heard that Councillor Halden has been shortlisted for the Finance and Transformation Award and Councillor S.Little for the Health and Care Award, the Leader wished them all best at ceremony.

Councillor Gledhill advised that since April, in just 7 months the council had collected nearly 1,000 tonnes of rubbish, this was the equivalent to 1,000 cars and 9,100 acres of grass being cut which was 18 times the size of the Olympic Park in London.

He continued to state that great work was continuing to take place in Grays, including regular action days with different organisations such as the Police and Enforcement Officers. Members were advised:

•               On the 28 September, 4 people had been witnessed to be breaking the PSPO, had alcohol confiscated and were banned from the area for 48 hours;

•               10 businesses had been visited regarding their trade waste duty of care documents and;

•               26 more Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued for not picking up dog mess.

The Leader mentioned that four cases of fly-tipping in Grays and Tilbury had resulted in FPNs totalling £1,600 in September.

Lastly Councillor Gledhill advised that since the Council had been authorised to remove vehicles that were parked on the highway without the correct road tax on behalf of the DVLA.

Members heard that in two weeks the Council had removed 38 vehicles, of which 19 vehicles had been claimed by owners who had paid the release fee. The remaining vehicles remained unclaimed by their owners. It was commented that this was one of the many ways the Council was looking to improve the street scene in Thurrock.

The Leader continued to advise Members there were a significant number of abandoned vehicles reported in the borough each year; though a number of these turned out to be poorly parked, vehicles parked for a few days or those on private land where arrangements with the owner allowed such parking of an untaxed vehicle.

It was commented that the Council would make information available to residents about the service as it settled in, however if they believed a vehicle had been left on public land they could report it on-line to the DVLA.

Councillor Gledhill finally mentioned the Council had received enquires about foreign registered vehicles that appeared untaxed. He stated Officers were looking into legislation and would provide Members with a briefing note in due course on how it may be tackled.