Launch issue, 28th September - 4th October, 2026

Welcome to the launch issue of The South West Essex Briefing. A weekly plain-English summary of the public record from Thurrock Council and Basildon Borough Council: decisions made, money spent, planning applications and open consultations.

This issue covers Monday 28 September to Sunday 4 October 2026. Where a council published a record in that window for an earlier meeting, it is reported here.

AT A GLANCE

• ⚠️ Thurrock Local Plan (Regulation 19 consultation): comments close at midnight on Wednesday 14 October 2026.
• ⚠️ Basildon, new premises licence applications: Wickford Bazaar, 24 High Street, Wickford (representations by 14 October) and Hodo Kitchen, above 24/26 Southernhay, Basildon (representations by 30 October).
• ⚠️ Basildon Planning Committee meets Wednesday 7 October at 7pm with six applications on the agenda, including outline applications for up to 175 homes (Tye Common Road) and up to 95 homes (Glebe Road).
• Thurrock Council on 30 September adopted the Thurrock Transport Strategy 2026-2040 and lowered the key-decision threshold from £500,000 to £250,000 from 1 October.
• Thurrock Audit Committee agenda (5 October) includes an external audit update stating that the auditor expects to issue a disclaimer of opinion on the 2020/21 to 2022/23 accounts.
• Thurrock Adult and Health Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee minutes: the Minor Injuries Unit is planned to move from Orsett Hospital to Thurrock Community Hospital in November 2026.
• Basildon Regeneration Scrutiny Committee minutes: the Council has acquired the former M&S building in Basildon town centre; proposals include a civic centre with space for a central government department.
• Planning: 23 applications validated and 31 decided in Thurrock; 11 validated and 29 decided in Basildon (listed below, with householder items grouped).
• Local Government Reorganisation in Essex was withdrawn by the Secretary of State on 7 September 2026 pending a review; see The Countdown.

IN THE CHAMBER

Thurrock Council

Full Council, Wednesday 30 September (draft minutes). The meeting finished at 9.43pm.

• Leader's announcements covered a £1.5m Pride in Place programme (Chadwell St Mary, Grays town centre and parks, expanded CCTV and a community grants scheme), a Strategic Business Board and SME Panel, a Civic Pride Recovery Task Force, and an intention to request a scrutiny task force on re-establishing the Tilbury–Gravesend ferry. The Leader also welcomed the Government's pause of Local Government Reorganisation.
• Thurrock Transport Strategy 2026-2040: an opposition amendment to reaffirm a 2023 resolution and include the Wharf Road–Corringham Road / Stanford-le-Hope link road was lost (6 for, 42 against). The recommendation to adopt the strategy was approved (42 for, 4 against, 2 abstentions).
• Constitution: the key-decision threshold was reduced from £500,000 to £250,000 for all decisions from 1 October 2026; revised Council and Executive rules and ethical-framework protocols (officer and member relations, gifts and hospitality, social media) were approved; Planning Committee terms of reference and the National Scheme of Delegation were approved. All unanimous.
• Revised political balance after the 23 July by-election, and changes to committee appointments, were agreed unanimously.
• The Monitoring Officer was authorised to recruit up to three independent persons, and the two current independent persons were extended for up to 12 months. Unanimous.
• Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2025/26 noted.
• Public questions covered the Abberton Way bus gate (written reply to follow), grass verges, and open-space designation at Brandon Groves.
• Members' questions covered devolution after the withdrawal of the Greater Essex reorganisation proposal, car cruising at Lakeside (further Community Safety Partnership funding secured for joint enforcement with Essex Police), and footpaths in the Aveley and Purfleet area.
• Motions: thanks to Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (carried 48-0-0); Big Lunch 2026 (carried 48-0-0); a motion on the costs of Local Government Reorganisation was carried 44 for, 4 against, directing the Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer to establish the full cost to Thurrock to date and the Leader to write to the Secretary of State seeking reimbursement.

General Services Committee, Tuesday 29 September (two meetings; minutes published 29 September and 1 October).

• 9.30am (record): one item, recruitment of a Consultant in Public Health, taken in exempt session.
• 7.00pm (draft minutes): the Committee noted the Commissioners' decision to establish an Interim Executive Director of Landlord Services post and the appointment to it. It recommended revised Financial Procedure Rules, a revised Scheme of Delegation and revised Contract Procedure Rules, and the Planning Committee terms of reference. A Smarter Commissioning Programme update was taken in exempt session.

Adult and Health Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 17 September (minutes published 30 September; record).

• Adult Social Care CQC Improvement Plan: the Director for Adults and Health said the Care Quality Commission assessed statutory adult social care duties in May 2025 and rated them "good". Development areas included equity of access (a translation service has been introduced) and carer assessments; a Carer's Strategy is being prepared. The next inspection is expected in May 2028. The committee asked for the self-assessment to return in February 2027.
• Minor Injuries Unit: NHS Essex Integrated Care Board told the committee the Orsett Hospital unit (about 80 attendances a day) is planned to move fully to Thurrock Community Hospital in November 2026, with hours of 8am to 10pm and longer x-ray hours. A full Urgent Treatment Centre is planned from April 2027.
• Equity of healthcare services: the committee asked for regular updates from the ICB.

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 10 September (minutes published 29 September; record).

• 2025/26 Financial Outturn: provisional total operating outturn of £231.439m, £9.217m (3.1%) below budget after a £9.587m transfer to reserves; Exceptional Financial Support of £59.070m; HRA surplus of £1.702m; savings delivered or mitigated £18.011m of an £18.966m target; Dedicated Schools Grant overspend of £5.302m. Pressures cited: Children's Social Care, Adult Social Care and homelessness.
• Corporate and Improvement Plan 2025/26 year-end report: over 78% of planned activity completed and 54% of key metrics met or exceeded targets. The report describes the financial position as "a significant concern".

Coming up in Thurrock

• Audit Committee, Monday 5 October, 7pm (agenda): External Audit Progress (BDO), Annual Corporate Complaints Report 2025/26, Annual Information Governance Report, Annual Audit Committee Report, Internal Audit Progress Report and Internal Audit Charter. The BDO paper dated 30 September says it expects to issue a disclaimer of opinion on the 2020/21 to 2022/23 accounts, and sets an indicative timetable ending in December 2026.
• Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Thursday 8 October, 7pm (agenda): Q1 2026/27 Financial Outturn.

Basildon Borough Council

Council, Thursday 10 September (minutes published 29 September; record).

• The Leader announced that the five-unitary Local Government Reorganisation model has been withdrawn and is under review, that the Council will seek recompense for disruption and officer time, and that the Best Value Review report is anticipated towards the end of October.
• Capital and Investment Strategy annual report 2025/26 noted. Social Media Policy agreed after a named vote.
• Local Plan (Regulation 19): recommendations were carried by recorded vote, including a new recommendation to explore seeking Judicial Review of the Government's intervention (referred to Cabinet) and an amendment objecting to ten traveller pitches on land south of Basildon Golf Course. The recommendation to submit formal advisory comments was not carried.
• Essex Coast RAMS Supplementary Planning Document (2020) revoked.
• Motions: a Sensory Room at Basildon Centre and a Changing Places toilet at Eastgate, the latter by 1 April 2027 (amended motion carried); a motion to end routine homeworking was not carried.
• The Appointments and Dismissals Committee report on Monitoring Officer and interim Chief Executive arrangements was noted, with concerns raised on process, timing, recruitment and costs.

Regeneration Scrutiny Committee, Tuesday 22 September (minutes published 29 September; record).

• Former M&S building: the Council has acquired it. Proposals are for a civic centre of about 75,000 sq ft, including about 50,000 sq ft for a central government department. Architect procurement is under way and the appointment is to be approved by Cabinet. The committee queried the absence of a detailed written report.
• A Construction Academy pilot is to run through a lease and collaboration agreement; a change-of-use planning application was expected in early October 2026.
• Town-centre safety report due to scrutiny and Cabinet in October 2026; lighting works and the Make Space for Girls project due early October.
• Laindon Centre: a visioning statement is being prepared; the committee was told this was a final opportunity before a Compulsory Purchase Order is considered.

Appointments and Dismissals Committee, Wednesday 30 September. The Council's records list the meeting on 30 September; no agenda, report or minutes had been published when this issue was compiled.

Officer decisions published 29–30 September (all non-key; values are not stated on the public records).

• 214-26: new lease for Mopsies Park Bowls Club and Pavilion (record).
• 215-26: residential lease extension, 29 Brackley Crescent (record).
• 216-26: lease assignment, 5 Kibcaps (record).
• 217-26: deed of rectification, 3 Cross Green (record).
• 218-26: extension of an Audit and Risk Committee Independent Member appointment (record).
• 219-26: residential lease extension, 54 Mellow Purgess Close (record).

Coming up in Basildon

• Housing Scrutiny Committee, Tuesday 6 October, 7pm (agenda): Tenant Engagement Update, Housing Improvement Recovery Plan Update, Housing Performance Report Q1 2026/27, draft Rent and Service Charge Policy 2026.
• Planning Committee, Wednesday 7 October, 7pm (agenda):
  • 25/01214/OUT: outline, up to 175 dwellings, Land West of Tye Common Road, Little Burstead. Officer recommendation: grant subject to S106 and conditions.
  • 26/00506/OUT: outline, up to 95 dwellings, Land North of Glebe Road, Ramsden Bellhouse. Officer recommendation: refuse. An appeal for non-determination has been lodged; the committee is asked how it would have decided.
  • 25/01657/FULL: demolition of Nos 9-25 and 28-44 and 16 garages, 19 houses, Knights, Basildon. Recommendation: grant.
  • 26/00051/FULL: 8 houses, 2-36 High Barrets, Vange. Recommendation: grant.
  • 25/01084/FULL: replace a multi-use games area with a Football Foundation Playzone, Pitsea Central Open Space. Recommendation: grant.
  • 24/00294/OUT: outline, up to 30 dwellings, land rear of 311 Pound Lane, Bowers Gifford (deferred from 9 September). Recommendation: grant subject to S106 and conditions.
• Miscellaneous Licensing Sub-Committee, Wednesday 7 October, 11am (agenda): a street trading consent application for The Pantiles, Billericay, and a driver licensing item taken in exempt session.

PLANNING WATCH

Source: each council's planning portal weekly lists. This is the first issue, so there is no carry-forward from a prior issue.

Thurrock — validated (28 September to 4 October)

• 26/01152/FUL — 32 Carew Close, Chafford Hundred: Retrospective change of use of single dwellinghouse (C3) to 7-bedroom HMO for up to 8 occupants (sui generis). Validated 30 Sep 2026; comments by 26 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/01128/ENQNEI — Ryjo, Thames View, Langdon Hills (Basildon borough; Thurrock consulted by Basildon): Consultation from Basildon on demolition of existing buildings and erection of five detached dwellings with amenity space, parking, access, landscaping, bin and cycle storage. Validated 29 Sep 2026; comments by 16 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/01089/LDOPND — Central 1, Atlantic Avenue, Stanford Le Hope: Erection of 70,108 sqm B8 warehouse with incidental office space, transport hub, staff amenity space, gatehouses, sprinkler tanks and pump house, trailer parking bays, dock levellers, plot parking, site access, circulation roads, footpaths, service infrastructure, landscaping, lighting and drainage. Validated 28 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00971/FUL — 1 Russel Road: Conversion and alteration of detached outbuilding to annexe ancillary to main dwelling, with associated internal and external alterations. Validated 28 Sep 2026; comments by 20 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00962/FUL — 16 Poynder Road, Tilbury: Ground-floor front porch extension and internal alterations to convert dwellinghouse (C3) into one 1-bed ground-floor flat and one 2-bed flat. Validated 28 Sep 2026; comments by 22 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/01124/CLOPUD — 8 San Juan Drive, Chafford Hundred: Certificate of lawfulness (proposed): change of use of dwelling from C3(c) to C2 residential institution, no external alterations stated. Validated 1 Oct 2026. Council record

Discharge of conditions and approvals of details:

• 26/01145/CONDC — 136 Long Lane, Stifford Clays: Approval of details reserved by condition 5 (CEMP) of 24/00958/FUL (4-bed house replacing workshop). Validated 30 Sep 2026; comments by 26 Oct 2026. Council record

• 26/01129/CONDC — Land adjacent Biggin Lane and Chadwell Hill, Chadwell St Mary: Approval of details reserved by condition 24 (Biodiversity Management Plan) of 25/01276/FUL (116 dwellings). Validated 29 Sep 2026; comments by 22 Oct 2026. Council record

• 26/01138/CONDC — 5 Hollow Cottages, London Road, Purfleet-on-Thames: Approval of details reserved by condition 3 (retention of historic lath and plaster) of 26/00889/LBC. Validated 29 Sep 2026; comments by 15 Oct 2026. Council record

• 26/01130/CONDC — Land adjacent Echo Farm, South Road and Mollands Lane, South Ockendon: Approval of details reserved by conditions 3 (CEMP) and 12 (Air Quality) of 25/00837/FUL (69 dwellings). Validated 29 Sep 2026; comments by 26 Oct 2026. Council record

• 13 householder applications and prior-approval notices (extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings and similar), listed on the Thurrock planning portal's weekly list.

Thurrock — decided

• 26/01053/NMA — Grays Park Centre And Former Adult Community College, Richmond Road, Grays: Non-material amendment to conditions for phasing plan, permission 25/00398/FUL (86-bed care home, 8 houses). Approved, 29 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/01029/TELENQ — The Croft, Church Road, Bulphan: Notice of fixed line broadband apparatus installation (BT). Advice Given, 29 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/01012/TELENQ — Telecommunications Mast, Tasmania House, Hobart Road, Tilbury: Base station installation. Advice Given, 02 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00985/TELENQ — 27 Seaborough Road, Chadwell St Mary: One 10m wooden pole opposite 27 Seaborough Road. Advice Given, 28 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00967/CV — 15 Medlar Road, Grays: Variation of condition 2 (approved plans), permission 26/00770/HHA. Approved, 01 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00960/PANTC — Telecommunications Equipment Adjacent Keir Hardie House, Long Lane, Stifford Clays: 20m streetworks monopole, 2 dishes, cabinets and meters (prior approval, electronic communications apparatus). Prior Approval Granted, 30 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00949/ADV — Highway Land Adjacent 6 And 8 Derry Avenue, South Ockendon: Advertisement consent: BT Street Hub unit with illuminated advertisement panels on both sides. Approved, 29 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00948/FUL — Highway Land Adjacent 6 And 8 Derry Avenue, South Ockendon: Global street hub installation with advertisements on both sides. Approved, 29 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00899/LBC — Inn On The Green, The Green, Stanford Le Hope: Listed building consent: pictorial panels, house name letters, lanterns, menu case, boards, chalkboards; removal of ivy. Approved, 28 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00850/FUL — Hollywood Bowl, Unit 613 The Quay, Lakeside Shopping Centre, West Thurrock: External covered winterised terrace and outdoor seating; four illuminated fascia signs. Approved, 01 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00844/FUL — 97 Orsett Road, Grays: Conversion of dwelling to two flats; part single-storey rear extension; loft conversion with rear dormer; garden subdivision. Approved, 01 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00808/FUL — 5 Chamberlain Avenue, Corringham: Demolition of detached garage; single-storey detached annexe. Approved, 28 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00783/PANTC — Treacle Mine Roundabout, Lodge Lane, Grays: 20m streetworks telecommunications monopole, 6 antennas, 3 RRUs, 2 dishes, 3 cabinets (prior approval). Prior Approval Granted, 01 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00681/CV — Land South Of Marsh Farm, Marsh Lane, Fobbing: Variation of conditions 9 and 11, appeal ref APP/M1595/W/23/3328712 (21/01635/FUL), solar array and battery storage. Approved, 30 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00622/LBC — A G Young & Son, Curtis Farm, High Road, Fobbing: Listed building consent: alteration and change of use of grade II listed building from agricultural storage to Class E(g)(i) office; replace office building. Approved, 30 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00621/FUL — A G Young & Son, Curtis Farm, High Road, Fobbing: Alteration and change of use of grade II listed building from agricultural storage to Class E(g)(i) office; replace office building. Approved, 30 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00131/FUL — Coryton Advanced Fuels Ltd, The Manorway, Coryton: Extension of office block, demolition of storage units, new laboratory. Application Withdrawn, 29 Sep 2026. Council record
• 25/01158/FUL — Land Rear Of Ewen House, High Road, Fobbing: Pool and eco annexe with green roof. Appeal Dismissed, 01 Oct 2026. Council record

Discharge of conditions and approvals of details:

• 26/01016/CONDC — Land Adjacent Dell Road And Orsett Road, Grays: Discharge of conditions 3 and 11, permission 25/01234/FUL (82-bed care home). Approved, 29 Sep 2026. Council record

• 26/00968/CONDC — Squibb House, Stanhope Industrial Park, Wharf Road, Stanford Le Hope: Discharge of condition 8, permission 25/00840/FUL (B8 open storage with flexible industrial use). Approved, 28 Sep 2026. Council record

• 26/00957/CONDC — Woodside, Kirkham Road, Horndon On The Hill: Discharge of condition 7 (dust management plan), permission 25/00916/FUL (one-bedroom dwelling). Approved, 01 Oct 2026. Council record

• 26/00909/CONDC — Amazon Unit 2 Tower Thurrock, Oliver Road, West Thurrock: Discharge of condition 5 (CEMP), permission 26/00255/FUL (canopy, HGV dock doors, yard reconfiguration). Approved, 29 Sep 2026. Council record

• 26/00878/CONDC — Supply 2 Location, Southend Road, Fobbing: Discharge of conditions 4 and 6, permission 25/00552/FUL (offices with storage and distribution unit). Advice Given, 01 Oct 2026. Council record

• 26/00343/CONDC — Lidl, St Chads Road, Tilbury: Discharge of condition 4 (surface water drainage), permission 25/00783/CV (food store). Approved, 30 Sep 2026. Council record

• 7 householder applications and prior-approval notices (extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings and similar), listed on the Thurrock planning portal's weekly list.

Basildon — validated (28 September to 4 October)

• 26/01058/FULL — The Barn, Ramsden Park Farm, Ramsden Park Road, Ramsden Bellhouse: Demolition of existing barn and formation of a new detached dwelling with attached cart lodge. Validated 01 Oct 2026; comments by 29 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/01052/DEMBAS — 1 Runwell Road: Demolition of existing car showroom/outbuildings (demolition notice). Validated 30 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/01044/VAR — 70 Pound Lane, Laindon: Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) of 19/00643/REM (outline 15/01392/OUT) to revise design and layout for plot 5, replacing plans, elevations and site plan. Validated 28 Sep 2026. Council record

Discharge of conditions and approvals of details:

• 26/01051/COND — Rosina, Break Egg Hill: Approval of details reserved by conditions 3 (self-build dwelling), 4 (landscaping), 5 (swift bricks), 6 (biodiversity enhancement), 10 (car parking) of 24/00572/FULL, granted on appeal APP/V/1505/W/25/3366596. Validated 30 Sep 2026; comments by 26 Oct 2026. Council record

• 26/01056/COND — Meadway Farm, Rectory Road: Approval of details reserved by conditions 7 (desk top study) and 8 (site investigation) of 23/01218/FULL. Validated 30 Sep 2026. Council record

• 26/01053/COND — Poundland, 49 High Street: Approval of details reserved by condition 3 (CEMP and site waste management plan) of 22/01720/FULL. Validated 30 Sep 2026. Council record

• 26/01046/COND — 128 High Street: Approval of details reserved by condition 3 (materials) of 25/01464/FULL. Validated 29 Sep 2026; comments by 26 Oct 2026. Council record

• 4 householder applications and prior-approval notices (extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings and similar), listed on the Basildon planning portal's weekly list.

Basildon — decided

Nine major outline applications appear on the weekly decided list with the portal decision field "Non Determination" dated 1 October. The portal shows no decision notice for them, and at least two still list future committee dates.

• 26/00960/DEMBAS — Beechwood Marketing Suite, The Fryth, Fryerns, Basildon: Demolition of former marketing suite. Granted, 02 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00932/PIP — Land South of Ramsden Park Road, Ramsden Bellhouse, Billericay: Permission in principle for up to 6 dwellinghouses. Granted, 02 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00909/FULL — 51 Runwell Road: New vehicular crossover; lowering 4 kerb stones, 2 ramped kerbs. Refused, 29 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00902/FULL — 9 Toppesfield Avenue: Retrospective boundary fence (1.78m) adjacent to footpath on Finchingfield Way; 4m x 7m garage, max height 2.55m. Granted, 02 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00849/FULL — 14 Furrowfelde, Kingswood: Front porch. Granted, 29 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00845/FULL — 28 Hillary Mount: Two storey side and rear extension with juliette balcony; remove rear conservatory, single rear extension. Granted, 02 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00825/FULL — 9 Vange Riverview Centre, Clay Hill Road: Subdivide hot and cold food takeaway to create convenience grocery shop; retain reduced takeaway; single-storey rear extension; external fruit and veg display rack. Granted, 28 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00774/FULL — 309 Pound Lane, Bowers Gifford: Single storey rear, side and front extensions; alteration to front dormers. Granted, 02 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00749/FULL — 46 Gardenia Court, Laindon: Change of use from Class C3(b) to sui generis large HMO; ground-floor rear wrap-around extension; cycle and refuse storage. Refused, 02 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00715/FULL — 1 Wayletts Cottages, Brentwood Road, Dunton: Subdivide site of No.1 to create new two-bedroom self-build detached dwelling with parking. Granted, 28 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00583/FULL — North Benfleet Lodge, Pound Lane, North Benfleet: Demolish existing dwelling; construct one self-build replacement dwelling with parking and amenity. Granted, 02 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00540/FULL — 17 Feering Drive: Part replacement single storey side and rear extension. Granted, 28 Sep 2026. Council record
• 26/00506/OUT — Land North of Glebe Road, Ramsden Bellhouse, Billericay: Outline, up to 95 dwellings; access off Glebe Road; pedestrian/cycle access off Orchard Avenue; public open space; all matters reserved except principal access. Portal outcome field reads "Non Determination (Status Unknown)", 01 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00455/FULL — Stirling, Branksome Avenue: Demolish dwelling/outbuildings; erect chalet-style self-build dwelling. Granted, 02 Oct 2026. Council record
• 26/00422/FULL — Land, junction of Pound Lane and Clifton Road, Bowers Gifford: Construct 5 dwellings with parking and rear amenity space. Granted, 02 Oct 2026. Council record
• 25/01666/FULL — Vallejo, Church Road, Ramsden Bellhouse: Move dropped kerb to driveway centre; wall and entrance gate on front boundary. Granted, 02 Oct 2026. Council record
• 25/01612/FULL — Land at Broomhills Chase, Billericay: Erect 2 self-build dwellings. Granted, 29 Sep 2026. Council record
• 25/01466/OUT — Land at Foots Farm, Southend Road, Great Burstead, Billericay: Outline, up to 910 homes, supporting Class E uses, Gypsy and Traveller pitches, open space, land for Class F1 education. Portal outcome field reads "Non Determination (Status Unknown)", 01 Oct 2026. Council record
• 25/01451/OUT — Land West of Laindon Road, Billericay: Outline, up to 420 homes, up to 500 sqm non-residential floorspace, new access off Laindon Road, drainage basins. Portal outcome field reads "Non Determination (Status Unknown)", 01 Oct 2026. Council record
• 25/01190/OUT — Land South of London Road, Crays Hill, Billericay: Outline, up to 56 dwellings (50% affordable), drainage basin, access from London Road. Portal outcome field reads "Non Determination (Status Unknown)", 01 Oct 2026. Council record
• 25/01188/OUT — Land South of Woolshots Farm, London Road, Crays Hill: Outline, up to 71 dwellings (50% affordable), drainage basin, accesses from London Road. Portal outcome field reads "Non Determination (Status Unknown)", 01 Oct 2026. Council record
• 25/00917/OUT — Land North and South of Barn Hall, Station Road, Wickford: Outline, up to 325 dwellings, access from Farnham Avenue, open space, drainage. Portal outcome field reads "Non Determination (Status Unknown)", 01 Oct 2026. Council record
• 25/00464/OUT — Land at Greens Farm Lane, Billericay: Outline, up to 310 dwellings in two parcels (255 northern, 55 southern), accesses from Greens Farm Lane and Outwood Common Road, 8.7 ha parkland, drainage. Portal outcome field reads "Non Determination (Status Unknown)", 01 Oct 2026. Council record
• 24/01248/OUT — Land Lying North East of London Road, Vange: Outline, up to 300 homes (Class C3), new access off London Road, cycle/pedestrian access, open space, drainage basins. Portal outcome field reads "Non Determination (Status Unknown)", 01 Oct 2026. Council record
• 24/01047/OUT — Blackthorn Stud, Kennel Lane: Outline, up to 11 dwellings, all matters reserved except access. Portal outcome field reads "Non Determination (Status Unknown)", 01 Oct 2026. Council record

Discharge of conditions and approvals of details:

• 26/00667/COND — Land at Nether Mayne, Basildon: Approval of details, conditions 25, 26, 27 (estate road/surface water, lighting/drainage, travel plan), Phase 2 plots, consent 12/01080/OUT. Granted, 02 Oct 2026. Council record

• 26/00573/COND — Land at Nether Mayne, Basildon: Approval of details, conditions 8, 10, 12, 16, 36 (dust, lorry routeing, wheel cleaning, CEMP/works method, resource efficiency), Phase 2 plots, consent 12/01080/OUT. Granted, 02 Oct 2026. Council record

• 26/00294/COND — Pitsea Leisure Centre, Maydells, Pitsea: Approval of details, conditions 13, 14, 16, 17, 23 (materials, swift/bat boxes, soft and hard landscaping, biodiversity), permission 23/01082/FULL. Granted, 02 Oct 2026. Council record

• 1 householder application or prior-approval notice (extension, loft conversion, outbuilding or similar), listed on the Basildon planning portal's weekly list.

YOUR MONEY

Thurrock. The 2025/26 provisional outturn is reported under In the Chamber. The Q1 2026/27 report to the 8 October Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee shows a net revenue budget of £267.290m supported by £68.908m of Exceptional Financial Support, a forecast net General Fund overspend of £3.480m (Adult Social Care), and savings of £14.877m budgeted of which £8.481m are delivered or on track and £6.397m unachievable or at risk. The key-decision threshold fell to £250,000 on 1 October. Thurrock publishes monthly contract lists on its current contracts page; the latest list posted is for July 2026.

Basildon. The six officer decisions above carry no published values. Basildon's contracts register lists contracts over £5,000.

JOBS & TENDERS

Basildon vacancies (from the Council's recruitment portal):

• Head of Property, Maintenance & Compliance, Band SE1 (£71,972 to £79,252), posted 30 September, closes 14 October.
• ICT Mobile Engineer, Band 6 (£36,323 to £40,234), closes 11 October.
• Pride in Place Coordinator, Band 7 (£41,197 to £45,006), closes 21 October.
• Non-Executive Director, £5,000 a year, closes 5 November.
• Refuse Loader (Pool Driver), Band 3 (£26,312 to £27,132), no closing date shown.

Thurrock vacancies posted in the window (from the recruitment portal):

• Business Support Assistant – Family Help, £27,435 to £29,715, 12-month fixed term, closes 11 October.
• School Crossing Patrol, £13.07 an hour, 10 hours a week in term time; internal closing date 18 October, redeployment closes 8 October; no external closing date is shown.
• Waste Collection Assistant, £27,435 to £29,715, closes 18 October.
• Engineer – Externally Funded Projects, Highways and Transport Delivery, £40,317 to £45,933, five-year fixed term, closes 18 October.
• Admin Support Worker, Caring for Thurrock Business Team, £27,435 to £29,715, internal secondment or fixed term to 31 March 2027, open externally, closes 11 October.
• Digital Field Support Officer, ICT, £27,435 to £29,715, closes 11 October.
• Safeguarding Lawyer, full-time and part-time, £55,227 to £63,675, closes 11 October.

Tenders. Thurrock's tendering portal lists one current tender, Electoral and Election Print Services (Corporate Services), with documents requestable until 17:00 on 26 October 2026. Other Thurrock tenders are published on Find a Tender (contract opportunities; the Procurement Pipeline Report of 4 August 2026 lists expected opportunities over the next 18 months). Basildon tenders over £50,000 are published on its Delta eSourcing portal.

THE COUNTDOWN

Local Government Reorganisation. On 7 September 2026 the Government announced a review of reorganisation plans and withdrew its decisions on Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk "in light of new legal advice" (gov.uk). Thurrock Council states that the withdrawn decisions include the plan to create a South West Essex Council on the footprint of Thurrock and Basildon (Thurrock Council). No end date for the review is stated. The Government states that local elections in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries. No successor authority, Vesting Day or shadow-election date applies to this footprint while the review is open.

Greater Essex devolution. A separate process for a Mayoral Combined County Authority covering Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock (gov.uk consultation outcome). The linked consultation outcome was last updated on 17 July 2025.

Elections. Thurrock elects by thirds; the last one-third election was on 7 May 2026 and by-elections were held on 23 July 2026. Basildon Borough Council resolved on 20 March 2025 to change to whole-council elections (Section 35 Notice); the notice states that the first whole-council election will be in May 2028, and every fourth year afterwards.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Thurrock (consultation hub):

• Local Plan Regulation 19, to midnight 14 October 2026 (page).
• Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy review, opened 28 September, closes 9 November (page).
• Animal Activity Licensing Policy survey, opened 28 September, closes 9 November (page).
• Communities in Action: Help Shape the Future of Grays, opened 25 September, closes 8 November (page).
• Highways Standards and Maintenance Survey 2026, closes 16 November (page).
• National Grid's Norwich to Tilbury Community Fund consultation is listed on the hub; National Grid states the fund would be over £30 million if the project is consented (National Grid).
• Also open, closing dates not stated on the pages: Call for Sites 2026; Pride in Place Impact Fund small grants (£250,000 capital pot); NEET Strategy refresh; C-Card Survey; Infrastructure Requirement List.

Basildon (consultations):

• Animal Activity Licensing Policy and Animal Charter 2026-2031 (draft) and Anti-Social Behaviour Policy 2026-2029 (draft) are still listed on the Council's consultations page, but both survey pages state that the engagement phase has finished.
• £40 million investment for Chalvedon and Laindon Central: the Pride in Place survey closed on 31 July; logo voting is still open on the survey page.
• Local Plan Regulation 19 closed on 22 September; the Council states it intends to submit the plan for examination by 31 December 2026.

Essex County Council (consultations): Essex Care Search Provider Survey (to 31 October); Schools Block Funding Arrangements for 2027/28 (to 3 November); Early Years Ordinarily Available Guidance Survey (closing date not shown).

ON THE HIGH STREET

• Hodo Kitchen, above 24/26 Southernhay, Basildon: new premises licence application dated 2 October for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises 12.00-02.00 daily, live and recorded music, and late-night refreshment 23.00-02.00. Representations by 30 October (Basildon licensing list).
• Wickford Bazaar, 24 High Street, Wickford: new premises licence application dated 16 September for off-sales of alcohol 07.00-00.00 daily. Representations by 14 October (same list).
• Thurrock's draft Licensing Policy proposes updates on drink spiking, violence against women and girls, terrorism preparedness, outdoor seating areas and child exploitation (see Have Your Say).
• Thurrock Council reports that new tobacco legislation (the Smokefree Generation law) is due in three months (news).
• Basildon main-route vegetation works with lane closures run from Monday 5 October to Friday 13 November (notice).
• Thames Freeport free AI courses for businesses: Grays on 1 October and 18 November (Thurrock news).

COMMUNITY SAFETY & SERVICES

• Thurrock: highway repairs across South Ockendon, Tilbury and Brandon Groves; a drone trial for highway-structure inspection at Dunstable Road and St Margarets Road culverts; a free EasyPeasy app subscription for families with children aged 0-5 (Thurrock news).
• Basildon: the Council's September news lists further action on anti-social behaviour and a Community Together Fund of £100,000 (Basildon news).

HOW IT WORKS

The South West Essex Briefing is an independent, AI-assisted local government newsletter covering Thurrock Council and Basildon Borough Council. It reports what both councils have published in committee papers, decisions and planning registers, linked to primary sources. It carries no advertising and takes no editorial position on the matters it reports.

The South West Essex Briefing is published by Verified Brief. All information is drawn from publicly available sources including council minutes, planning records, procurement registers, and official government publications. Links go directly to primary source documents. Nothing in this newsletter constitutes opinion, legal advice, or political commentary.