Negotiations between Thurrock Council and the Essex Magistrates' Court Committee may lead to courts remaining in Thurrock.

Council leader Andy Smith explained the situation to Wednesday's meeting of the full council.

He said that the committee was re-organising courts across the county and in every area - except Thurrock - their plans were going ahead.

Talks involving Brentwood, Southend and Essex councils had led to their support for a magistrates' court to remain in Grays.

But, said Coun Smith, the present court building in London Road, Grays, was no longer suitable; it was lacking in many different ways the needs of a modern court.

Members backed Coun Smith's request to allow council officers to "identify an area of land and enter into discussions with the Magistrates Court Committee about the terms for incorporation such land into their initiative."

Confident of success, Coun Smith said: "We pay £144,000 a year and we deserve a court to cater for the people of this borough."

Published Thursday November 29, 2001