Thurrock Council asks government to cancel local elections
Elections for the first greater Essex mayor are expected in May 2026 but for the new councils their inaugural elections might not take place until 2027 or later.
John Kent, Labour leader of Thurrock Council, told the BBC: “There will be no more Basildon, Rochford, Castle Point, no more Uttlesford. The face of local government across Essex will change fundamentally.
“If we are going to meet the government’s stretching timetable, which is to have elections for the new mayor of greater Essex next May and the new local authorities, then there simply isn’t time to hold elections this May.”
Most Thurrock councillors agreed on Tuesday that holding elections costing £300,000 for new councillors to serve just one year rather than four was a waste of resources.
But Conservative George Coxshall said he was “not comfortable” with cancelling the elections, telling councillors “local government reform isn’t going to be done in two years”.
Related
Youth football teams hold minute’s silence for 10-year-old Poppy Atkinson
Youth football teams and grassroots clubs across the country have held a minute’s silence at the start of their games to commemorate a 10-year-old girl who di
Girl’s death sparks minute’s silence at football matches nationwide
10-year-old Poppy Atkinson was killed when she was struck by a car during a training session at Kendal Rugby Club in Cumbria. Clubs from Leeds to London
Liverpool fans’ Uefa claim can be heard in England, judge…
The high court, sitting in Liverpool, heard Uefa had relied upon the principle that English courts will not inquire into the legality of actions by foreign gove
Alan Shearer’s Premier League predictions including Manchester United vs Arsenal
Caption: Alan Shearer?s Premier League predictions credit: Getty / Metro After some impressive results for English sides in Europe the focus is
