Conference tackles major changes to Thurrock's population

Dealing with major changes to Thurrock’s population was the subject of a conference on Tuesday, after it emerged that some primary schools in Thurrock now have 50 per cent black, or ethnic minority pupils, while three years ago that figure was 10 per cent.

The Community Cohesion conference was held at the Culver Centre in South Ockendon.

It was split into two areas, opening with Homophobic Bullying, in conjunction with Stonewall, and following-up with a more general community cohesion focus.

£25,911.07 a year Councillor Sue MacPherson, the Tory council’s portfolio holder for Children’s Services from 26 Drake Road, Chafford Hundred ,said: “Community cohesion is the key to improving the life chances of young people in our borough.

“Community cohesion is about building one community.

“Bullying through lifestyle and gender, or open homophobic bullying must be challenged openly.

“Young people must be able to accept diversity in our community.

“At this conference we have set down a marker that says Thurrock understands its challenges; it underlines the way we educate our young people from naught to when they leave education, helps shape the way they view our community and helps ensure we can all work and live together.”

Thurrock Council is planning further conferences in the future.