3.53pm - Wednesday, February 5

County council elections cancelled as unitary authority comes step closer

* Brentwood and Ongar Conservative MP Alex Burghart, in a post on X, has said he is "very disappointed to hear that elections in Essex have been postponed".

* Epping Forest Reform UK branch chairman and Ongar & Rural county councillor and Ongar district councillor Jaymey McIvor said: "In an unimaginable yet predictable manner the Labour Government have cancelled elections at the request of the local Conservative councillors.

"I agree with leading figures in politics, including our MP for Ongar, that this is very disappointing.

"There are so many unknowns about how devolution and local government reorganisation will look like in practice in Epping Forest.

"But one thing is now certain, given the unprecedented nature of the cancelled elections, Reform UK are going to sweep seats at the next election because the people of Essex will never forget how the local Conservatives have so cowardly stopped the people of Epping Forest from exercising their democratic right in long standing elections.

"The Conservatives are out of ideas, out of touch and very soon will be out of office along with this appalling Labour government that they so desperately cosey themselves up to.

"The Reform UK wave is a tsunami which will capsize and sink every Conservative and Labour candidate that has treated peoples' right to vote with such contempt."

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The May county council elections have been cancelled and a new unitary authority with Epping Forest District Council effectively to be dissolved and potentially merge with several other neighbouring councils has come a step closer after Essex was among the areas chosen to be front of the queue for devolution. 

The Government has confirmed that Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council have had their request to be part of the Devolution Priority Programme confirmed. 

This follows the councils writing to the Government requesting inclusion on the programme and committing to local government reorganisation. 

Essex County Council leader councillor Kevin Bentley said: "I am thrilled that our hard work to bring devolution to Essex has paid off and we are a step closer seeing real positive change in our county. 

"We welcome the government’s acceptance of our request and eagerly await next steps. 

"I truly believe devolution is the best choice for our county’s future. It is the biggest chance we will get to rethink our system and bring more power into the hands of local people. This will mean more opportunities for our residents and businesses that will help them and our whole county flourish. 

"With regard to Local Government Reorganisation, we will commit to work together with all councils in Essex to ensure that it delivers the best outcome for our residents and businesses too."

The councils will now begin working with each other and the Government as part of the programme. 

Epping Forest Liberal Democrats group leader councillor Jon Whitehouse said: "Labour and the Conservatives have combined to deny local people a voice. 

"Essex residents now face sweeping changes to how their services are delivered without being able to elect the councillors who will negotiate how local government is reorganised."

Councillor Whitehouse said new unitary councils are expected to begin as "shadow" councils in 2026 and will take on their powers and replace Essex County Council and local district councils in 2027 or 2028. 

He added: "Essex county councillors elected in May 2021 for a four-year term could now serve for seven years - nearly double the term they were elected for."

1.01pm - Wednesday, January 29

Epping Forest Reform UK selects candidates for county council elections - should they go ahead

The Epping Forest Reform UK branch has adopted its first candidates for the Essex County Council elections in May - should they go ahead amid the current Local Government devolution proposals.

A decision on whether the elections will take place is expected to be announced by the Government this week, Epping Forest District Council leader Chris Whitbread told last night's overview and scrutiny committee meeting.

Five Reform UK county council election candidates were chosen at a branch meeting chaired by Ongar and Rural county councillor and Epping Forest Reform UK branch chairman Jaymey McIvor in Epping on Monday.

Orla Minihane will stand in the Epping and Theydon Bois Division, the seat currently held by councillor Holly Whitbread (Conservative).

Natalie Wilding Barrett will stand in Loughton North.

Sarah White will stand in Chigwell and Buckhurst Hill East, the seat currently held by councillor Lee Scott (Conservative).

Karen McIvor will stand in North Weald and Nazeing, the seat currently held by councillor Chris Whitbread (Conservative).

A boundary review has meant some county council divisions (wards) have changed.

Councillor Jaymey McIvor, Reform UK's first county councillor in Essex, will contest his current Ongar & Rural division.

He said: "Our branch meeting was well attended, once again we had queues out the doors. I’d like to thank Funky Monk for their hospitality and all of our members who attended.

"Members were able to adopt candidates for some of the district's Essex County Council seats.

"I'm delighted with the candidates who have been selected. They will be first class representatives for the great people of Epping Forest and I look forward to seeing them all make their maiden speeches in the council chamber at County Hall.

"Reform UK is fighting to win every single seat in Epping Forest with these exceptional candidates who will combine their local knowledge with real world life experience to deliver for their communities.

"That is assuming, of course, that the Government choose to ignore the outrageous attempt to cancel elections by the councillors who are behaving like turkeys before Christmas.

"Reform UK has all the momentum in British politics, the two-party system is letting the people of Epping Forest down.

"Genuine change is on the horizon and the people of Epping Forest can be reassured that on every ballot paper in Epping Forest there will be a Reform UK candidate."

Reform UK said candidates for the other county council divisions which cover the Epping Forest district will be adopted following an internal selection process with members due to the volume of applicants who have applied and passed vetting.

Anyone wishing to become a Reform UK member or support the local branch can email EFReform@gmail.com.

9.36am - Monday, December 30, 2024

Petition calls on county councillors to vote against cancelling May's county council elections

A petition calling on Essex county councillors to vote against a proposal to scrap May's elections has been launched ahead of a county council vote on Friday, January 10.

The petition "urges Essex County Council to ensure the local elections scheduled for May 2025 proceed as planned".

The January 10 extraordinary full Essex County Council meeting will see councillors debate whether Essex should join the Government’s devolution priority programme.

The Government has informed the council that to participate in the programme, Essex must send a confirmation letter by January 10.

This letter, to be issued jointly with Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council, could include a request to postpone the 2025 elections.

The petition states: "We believe this must not happen. Elections are essential for democracy and accountability. The public must have the opportunity to elect a new council to oversee the devolution process."

All 75 Essex county councillors are invited to participate in the debate, with the final decision resting with council leader councillor Kevin Bentley.

The petition adds: "We must stand together to prevent elections from being cancelled at the discretion of politicians.

"Democracy must be protected. Politicians cannot be allowed to decide when they face elections.

"Cancelling elections at short notice erodes public trust and undermines the democratic process.

"The Essex County Council elections are scheduled for May 2025, and they must go ahead as planned.

"If the Government moves forward with its proposed changes, there is no certainty about when these elections would be held.

The people deserve a say. A democratic mandate is essential.

"Let the people vote."

Everything Epping Forest has approached the district's seven county councillors for their views on the petition.

Ongar and Rural division Reform UK county councillor Jaymey McIvor has told Everything Epping Forest he is supporting the petition saying "we can have elections and devolution."

He said: "Many residents have been in touch with me regarding the vote on January 10.

“Let me be clear, I didn’t go into politics to vote against elections taking place

"That would be like turkeys voting to postpone Christmas.

"I’m in favour of devolution, if delivered properly it could be excellent for us all.

"I believe there is no reason why the architects of devolution shouldn’t have a democratic mandate.

"We can have elections and devolution."

For the petition CLICK HERE

1.08pm - Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Essex County Council to vote on cancelling May's elections as part of local government reorganisation proposals

Essex County Council is to vote on a proposal to cancel May's elections as part of plans for local government reorganisation which could see an election for an Essex Mayor in May 2026.

The Government - with the publication of its White Paper on English Devolution - has said councils can postpone their elections for one year, and potentially for three years.   

A council statement said all 75 county councillors are being asked to look at the potential benefits for residents of streamlining the way councils in the county operate, improving services and bringing value for money to council tax payers.

County councillors are set to debate Essex’s participation in the Government’s devolution priority programme, including local government reorganisation, at an extraordinary full council meeting on Friday, January 10. 

The final decision for Essex County Council will be taken by council leader councillor Kevin Bentley following the meeting.

The debate comes after the Government published its White Paper on English Devolution, on December 16 with the document setting out plans for implementing devolution more widely across England.

It also sets out the case for local government reorganisation, moving from the two-tier county-district model to unitary local authorities. 

In addition, the Government has said councils may ask to postpone their 2025 elections. This would initially be for a period of one year, but potentially for three years.

Councils have been asked to write to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government by January 10 if they wish to proceed with devolution, reorganisation, and to request postponement of their local elections in May.

In Essex, this would be a joint letter from the Leaders of Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council.

The extraordinary Essex County Council meeting will see councillors debate and vote on the proposal to:

* commit to take part in the devolution priority programme which would see a mayoral county combined authority established in April 2026 and a mayoral election in May 2026

* commit to local government reorganisation, with initial plans submitted in the spring and final plans by autumn 2025

* request the Secretary of State to postpone the Essex County Council’s 2025 elections for an initial period of one year.

Councillor Bentley said: "I have been very clear that there is a road to a better Essex for all who live here, and the way we will get there is through devolution. 

"This presents us with an opportunity for growth and productivity across the county like no other. 

"Linked to this is the proposed reorganisation of council structures which, as the White Paper sets out, is intended to drive greater efficiencies, help deliver better outcomes for people and strengthen accountability to the public.

"This decision is a momentous point in our history and a once in a lifetime chance to improve outcomes for Essex. 

"I look forward to discussing this in January and continuing to engage positively with our partners."

At this stage, no decisions have been made.

Southend-on-Sea City and Thurrock Councils will hold their own meetings during the week commencing Monday, January 6.

5.25pm - Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Labour to put up candidates in all seven district seats in county council elections

Labour has told Everything Epping Forest it will be putting up candidates in all seven of the Essex County Council seats which cover the Epping Forest district at May's elections saying "it is time for change in Essex".

Brentwood and Ongar Constituency Labour Party vice-chairman Kevin Hind, who lives in North Weald, told Everything Epping Forest: "Labour intends to contest every county council division within the Epping Forest district. 

"We are still in the process of selecting candidates and will confirm selections in the New Year. 

"In this year's Epping Forest District Council elections, Martin Morris was returned as the first Labour councillor for Epping Forest District Council in many years. 

"It's time for a change in Essex."

8.40am - Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Reform UK to contest all seven district seats at Essex County Council elections

Reform UK has promised it will contest all seven of the Essex County Council seats which cover the Epping Forest district at next May's county council elections.

The Epping Forest Reform UK branch was launched at a meeting at the Three Colts pub in Buckhurst Hill last night when Ongar district councillor and Ongar and Rural county councillor Jaymey McIvor was unanimously elected as branch chairman.

Councillor McIvor said there would be a candidate contesting every seat in Epping Forest next May and no reason why the Party could not achieve a clean sweep across the district.

He told Everything Epping Forest: "The meeting was a huge success with so many members attending.

"People in Epping Forest are fed up with being let down by politics locally and nationally. 

"The patriotic hard-working people of Epping Forest will have a very clear option of Reform UK on their ballot paper in May.

"Never again will you walk into a polling station in Epping Forest and not see a Reform UK candidate.

"As Reform UK’s membership surges nationally, there is never a better time to join our party and help Save Britain."

He added: "My thanks to the wonderful team at the Three Colts for their hospitality."

8.32am - Tuesday, November 12, 2024

ONGAR: Reform UK leader urges electors to get behind new Reform councillor ahead of county council elections

There are still 169 days until the Essex County Council elections next May but Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has launched campaigning with a "get on board, give him a hand, please help him" plea to Ongar and Rural electors to back new Reform UK councillor Jaymey McIvor.

The former Independent and Conservative Ongar district and Ongar and Rural county councillor joined Reform UK last month becoming the first local councillor nationally to join the Party after Nigel Farage wrote to all Conservative county councillors up for election next May inviting them to defect.

Councillor McIvor was suspended from the Conservative Party when he refused to stand down as Conservative parliamentary candidate for Hemel Hempstead for the General Election when an anonymous allegation was made against him just hours before nominations closed.

He said he resigned from the Conservative Party on October 4. The Conservative Party say he was expelled on October 9 following a disciplinary hearing.

Speaking on GB News shortly after his political move, councillor McIvor said he had been the victim of "vicious, toxic behaviour" during his time as a Conservative councillor while Reform UK said it believes he "has been the victim of vicious Tory infighting".

Nigel Farage - speaking in a video message with councillor McIvor, who describes Mr Farage, the Clacton MP, as "the boss" - urges local electors to get behind councillor McIvor.

He said: "Jaymey has done a brave thing, he's acted on principle, he's joined Reform because we really do believe in the county and the country so he needs your help, your support in the run-up to the local elections for Essex County Council in May.

"So please get on board, give him a hand and he can go on doing a great job for Ongar and the Villages. He's made a brave decision, please help him."