Mark Whitehead 30 January 2023

Thurrock Council requests over £182m to stabilise services

Thurrock Council requests over £182m to stabilise services  image
Image: SevenMaps/Shutterstock.com.

Trouble-torn Thurrock Council has requested £182.5m in Government support over the next year to shore up its services.

The Tory-controlled council said it would cover 57% of its spending, paying for social care, refuse collection and road maintenance.

It has a £469m blackhole this current financial year and an additional £184m for 2023/24.

By the end of March, Thurrock Council's total borrowing will stand at £1.511bn, mostly made up of loans from the Public Works Loan Board which it has used to pay back other councils which it borrowed millions from to invest.

The council’s finances collapsed after a series of controversial commercial investments failed.

It has now proposed increasing council tax by 4.99%, the maximum allowed without a referendum.

The emergency funding follows the announcement of a full intervention by the Government amid concerns over the authority’s finances.

In September ministers sent commissioners from Essex County Council into Thurrock to oversee its financial management.

A Best Value inspection team recently provided an interim progress update to local government secretary Michael Gove ahead of a full report next month.

Leader Mark Coxshall, interim chief executive officer Ian Wake and Essex County Council Commissioner Nicole Wood said: ‘the scale of the issue at Thurrock Council is so profound that the levers currently available to the council are not sufficient to achieve financial sustainability, even over a long-term period, and we will continue to discuss creative options with your officials’.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Revenues and Benefits Administration Officer

West Northamptonshire Council
£26914 - £27781
The Revenues and Benefits Administration Officer at West Northamptonshire Council provides essential administrative support across the Revenues and Benefits team. The role involves managing emails, indexing documents, raising orders and supporting financi Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Strategic Commissioning Manager (Markets Team Manager)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Drive real change in your community - shape the future of careDrive real change in your community - shape the future of careAt the Royal Borough of Ke England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Social Worker - Family Finding, Adoption Mid Essex

Essex County Council
£34902.0000 - £50081.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Family Finding, Adoption Mid EssexPermanent, Full Time£34,902 to £50,081 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Sheltered Housing Officer

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£33291 - £34291 per annum
Support residents to live independently in safe, welcoming homes - making every day easier, safer and more connected.Support residents to live indepen England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £32,597 - £36,363
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner