"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. 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.""
Essex County Council elections are scheduled to take place on 7 May 2026 after Communities Secretary Steve Reed confirmed he will not include the county's poll in legislation to postpone local elections. Reed told Conservative council leader Kevin Bentley that the council had not made a clear and unambiguous case for postponement and cited Bentley's repeated statements that the council would not seek postponement. Reed recognised the significant demands of elections and local government reorganisation on the authority but concluded the vote should proceed. Conservative control of the council has lasted nearly three decades, and Bentley confirmed he will seek re-election while some Conservatives expect heavy losses to Reform UK.
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