Essex county election going ahead - minister

Essex County Council's elections will be going ahead in May, the Secretary of State Steve Reed has said.

In a letter sent to the Conservative council leader Kevin Bentley, Reed writes: "I will not be including the election to Essex County Council in legislation to postpone local elections".

The council confirmed it had been told elections on 7 May would be going ahead.

There are now 30 councils that have had their elections postponed this year so they can focus on local government reorganisation, which will see fewer all purpose unitary authorities replace existing councils.

The communities secretary told Bentley he recognised elections and local government reorganisation put "significant demands" on the authority.

However, he wrote: "I placed particular weight on the fact that the council has not made a clear and unambiguous case for postponement through its formal representations, and your repeated statements that the council would not be seeking postponement".

The minister added: "On balance, I consider it appropriate that the elections to Essex County Council take place in May 2026."

There had been speculation behind the scenes for the past week that the county could join Harlow, Basildon and Thurrock councils in having their elections postponed.

Elections for Southend, Colchester, Rochford, Brentwood and Epping Forest councils are going ahead.

The Conservatives have had a majority on Essex County Council for nearly three decades.

Bentley posted on X: "We have an excellent record to defend!", and confirmed to the BBC he would be seeking re-election.

But one senior Tory told the BBC they expected the party would be "slaughtered" in May by Reform UK.

A government spokesperson said: "We recognise the views of Essex County Council and their election will take place as scheduled."

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