Annual Council Meeting

The annual Council meeting took place last wednesday, 25 May 2011. 

The Council elected:

Charlie Curtis as Mayor
Yash Gupta as Deputy Mayor

John Kent - Leader of Council
Val Morris-Cook - Deputy Leader

With the close numbers almost every post was contested, but Labour - who asked that the Mayor's office should be above local politics - used the Mayor's casting vote to secure every position. 

They won the contest for Mayor because the election between me and Charlie Curtis ended in a tie (24 votes each).

Ex-Mayor Anne Cheale then used her casting vote to support Charlie. She couldn't bring herself to support a Conservative administration (notwithstanding the fact that she was elected as conservative councillor in Corringham).

I enjoyed my role as deputy-mayor, representing the Council at numerous events in and around Thurrock.  It was a previledge to serve and I am pleased for the opportunity. 

Over the next year, I will serve on scrutiny, license committee and shadow the Housing cabinet member.  More importantly, I will continue to work hard for residents in Chafford. 

The main issues include,  the Library,  the Sixth form in Campus, increase in primary school provision to accommodate Chafford children; the proposed GP surgery at the site behind Bannatynes, the new Youth facility, anti social behaviour in Gabriel Close, etc.

I will continue to keep you posted.

Thank you for your support.