Latest news with #ThurrockCouncil
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Thurrock woman emotionally drained after fire destroys home
A woman who lost her home in a suspected arson attack said hunting for a new property had been "emotionally draining".Sophie Cole's house in Raphael Avenue, Tilbury, Essex, was destroyed after flames spread from a nearby alleyway on 19 May."It's hard because you don't know where you're going to be staying each night," the 31-year-old told BBC Council said Ms Cole, who has a three-year-old son, had been offered temporary accommodation in Grays. Her property was deemed uninhabitable by fire crews, who said the flames initially spread to the Police treated the fire as arson and appealed for witnesses who saw "someone acting suspiciously" in the area to contact officers. Ms Cole said she was fighting to ensure her son did not suffer while they sofa-surfed between family members' homes."We're trying to keep everything normal for him, but it's hard," she said. "My son doesn't know whether he's coming or going."It's put a strain on everything but it shows in hard times family comes together. It's been emotionally draining."Ms Cole accused Thurrock Council of "not moving with urgency" when it came to finding them a suitable said the 14th-floor flat she had been offered in Grays was unsuitable. 'Traumatic' Mark Hurrell, the council's cabinet member for social housing, said the first priority had been to get a roof over the family's said officers were assisting them through the rehousing process."I can only imagine how traumatic the experience of losing your home to a fire can be," the Labour councillor added. "Our thoughts and sympathies are with this family as we do all we can to get them settled in a new home." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Independent
7 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Investigation launched into suspected fraud against debt-ridden local council
The Serious Fraud Office has launched an investigation into failed investments in solar farms that left a local council £1.5 billion in debt. Investigators have issued so-called section 2 notices against banks and other financial institutions to demand documentation relevant to the case. Investments were made by Thurrock Council in Essex through Rockfire Investment Finance Plc and other companies operating within the Rockfire Group between 2016 and 2020. The local authority was offered returns of 3% to 6% on its multi-million pound investment. Rockfire went into liquidation, and Thurrock Council was effectively declared bankrupt in December 2022, with debts of £1.5 billion. It has since recouped £650 million of public money. Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Nick Ephgrave said: 'Today's action is a significant step in our investigation concerning this suspected criminality. 'We are grateful for the assistance of Essex Police, Thurrock Council and others in the early stages of this inquiry.' Victoria Holloway, Thurrock Council cabinet member for Place and the Environment, said: 'Since these catastrophic investments first came to light, this administration—standing firmly alongside our residents—has consistently and rightly called for a full investigation. 'We therefore strongly welcome today's announcement from the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). 'It represents a vital step toward securing justice and ensuring accountability on behalf of our communities. 'Thurrock Council will continue to fully support this investigation and will make sure the SFO has access to all the information it requires, as we have continued to do since these losses were uncovered. 'Alongside this, the council is vigorously pursuing civil claims against Rockfire and its owner, Liam Kavanagh, to recover public funds lost through these failed investments. 'Today's announcement strengthens our resolve to see this through.'
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Serious Fraud Office investigates solar firm paid £400 million by council after its owner blew £150m of company cash on luxury lifestyle including £14m yacht, and £9m private jet
The Serious Fraud Office has launched an investigation into an alleged £400 million fraud against Thurrock Council in Essex by a Dubai-based solar tycoon who spent almost half of it funding his luxury lifestyle. The body, responsible for investigating complex financial crime in the UK, has issued a series of Section 2 notices compelling financial institutions to provide information after launching the probe into the Rockfire Group. Headed up by Liam Kavanagh, Rockfire convinced Thurrock Council to invest £400 million in bonds for a green energy scheme involving solar farms - before its CEO allegedly blew £150 million on properties, jets and yachts. In a High Court lawsuit last year, Thurrock Council accused Kavanagh, 47, of spending £13.7 million on a new yacht, £9.1 million on a private Bombardier jet, £20 million on a 232-acre country estate in Hampshire and £3 million on a Mallorca property. The council initally invested £268 million in bonds sold by Rockfire Investment Finance Plc, and other companies in the Rockfire group. The firm is now in administration, with just £90 to its name at the time according to a statement of affairs, which also listed the company as owing £168,997,476 to Thurrock Council. Rockfire promised a three to six percent return on any investments made in addition to the bond costs. In its High Court filing, Thurrock Council said it went on to make further investments based on 'fraudulent misrepresentations' and claimed Kavanagh deliberately ensured 'completely unrealistic' electricity prices were used to increase the farms' value. The council was effectively declared bankrupt in December 2022 after accruing debts totalling £1.4 billion. The council's involvement with Kavanagh, who is based in the UAE, began in June 2016 when, alongside Warrington and Newham councils, it financed the purchase of a solar farm in Swindon through bonds marketed by his company Rockfire Capital. Over the next two years, Thurrock helped buy 53 sites across the UK, all of which are now owned by Kavanagh. The investments were issued through a complex series of bonds, all due to mature in the next three to four years. In return, Thurrock would get interest payments worth millions of pounds. Red flags were first raised after accounts showed Kavanagh's firm pocketed £5 million in 'commission'. Days after concerns emerged about Thurrock's solar deals in 2020, a new company, Anyard Holdings, was registered in the Isle of Man. Kavanagh subsequently liquidated key companies that owed the council hundreds of millions and transferred the solar farms into the new offshore structure. In total, according to Companies House, he has had roles in at least 96 different companies since 2006. Cllr Victoria Holloway, Cabinet Member for Place and the Environment, said: 'Since these catastrophic investments first came to light, this administration - standing firmly alongside our residents - has consistently and rightly called for a full investigation. 'We therefore strongly welcome today's announcement from the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). It represents a vital step toward securing justice and ensuring accountability on behalf of our communities. 'Thurrock Council will continue to fully support this investigation and will make sure the SFO has access to all the information it requires, as we have continued to do since these losses were uncovered. 'Alongside this, the council is vigorously pursuing civil claims against Rockfire and its owner, Liam Kavanagh, to recover public funds lost through these failed investments. Today's announcement strengthens our resolve to see this through.' To date Thurrock Council has already recouped more than £650 million of public money from its various historic investments. Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Nick Ephgrave QPM, said: 'Today's action is a significant step in our investigation concerning this suspected criminality. 'We are grateful for the assistance of Essex Police, Thurrock Council and others in the early stages of this enquiry.' In a previous statement at the time of the High Court filing, Kavanagh denied all the allegations, adding: 'The claim has not been validly served on Mr Kavanagh and he is confident that his application challenging the court's jurisdiction will succeed. 'Irrespective of the question of jurisdiction, Mr Kavanagh strenuously denies the allegations. If and when necessary to do so, and should the court permit the claim to proceed, Mr Kavanagh will be putting forward a full defence.'
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Thurrock Council elects Labour leader Lynn Worrall
A council that was bankrupted after a series of failed solar farm investments has elected a new Worrall has taken charge of Thurrock Council in Essex and said it was a "responsibility I take extremely seriously".She replaced her Labour colleague John Kent, who announced his resignation last month and blamed the "disastrous Conservative borrowing and investment policy" for the authority's "precarious position".Speaking after a council meeting on Wednesday, where a new cabinet was also chosen, Worrall said she was "committed to being open, honest and transparent". She continued: "The strongest asset this borough has is our wonderful communities; my job is to make sure that those communities have a voice in all that we do and are given all that they need to thrive and grow right here in Thurrock."Since May 2024, Worrall had been the council's deputy leader. Massive debts Thurrock Council went through a major financial crisis following a series of failed investments in solar announced a budget gap of nearly £500m and issued a Section 114 notice - the local authority equivalent of authority's former chief finance officer, Sean Clark, resigned from his role in January 2023, leaving them with debts of about £ was later barred from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants for at least five Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said he "recklessly provided misleading information to council members, and therefore to the public". When Kent announced his resignation, he said the council still had debts of about £900m and needed to borrow £74m to meet its budget this offered his "unequivocal support" to his will remain in the cabinet, overseeing arts, culture and said it was a "real honour" to take over and said she would make sure all "voices are heard" and "reflected in all that we do". Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Future of tree facing the chop hangs in the balance
The future of an ancient oak tree hangs in the balance after councillors deferred a decision to fell it. The 16ft (18m) tree, which is more than 100 years old, was said to be the cause of subsidence at several properties in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, according to an engineer. But despite damage caused to his home, nearby resident Rob Selwyn was among those urging Thurrock Council to spare it the chop. The local authority's planning committee chose to delay a final decision on Thursday, saying it wanted more evidence before swinging the axe. Rooted in the grounds of a listed building on South Hill, the tree is protected by a preservation order. However, an engineer's report found it was causing "severe damage" to properties in Saffron Close, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Mr Selwyn said he preferred lopping the tree and installing a barrier over felling it. The 77-year-old's comments came despite cracks appearing both inside and outside his home. "I don't want to see it cut down," he said. "If it's lopped, that would take back the branches and curb its growth. "A metal barrier placed between my home and the roots of the tree would also help." The tree survived a previous bid to fell it eight years ago over concerns about subsidence. Thurrock Council's planning committee was told that if it did not act this time round, it could be liable for any damage. But Conservative ward councillor Barry Johnson said evidence of damage caused by the tree was not a "proven fact". More than 15 objections were also made against the tree's destruction. Betty Beaumont, who lives nearby, said the tree was a "landmark for the village". "When you're driving down from the flyover, you know you're home because you can see it, " she said. Her concerns were echoed by Gary Collins, landlord of The Bell pub, who said the village would be lost without it. He added: "There must be another way of solving the problem." In a report made by the council's planning officers, the tree was deemed a "fine specimen that provided a "high level of amenity in the village". However, the report concluded it must be axed. "In normal circumstances, its removal would not be permitted," the author wrote. "However, it is considered that it is likely that the tree is a contributory factor to the subsidence occurring at the property, and therefore its removal is justified." Planning committee councillors did not follow the recommendations and voted to delay the decision to get more evidence. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. 'Happy outcome' as 120-year-old tree gets reprieve Anger as 300-year-old oak trees set to be felled Felling 150-year-old tree 'hypocritical' says head Thurrock Council
