THE leader of Thurrock Council has confirmed that elections for a new county-wide mayor will take place on May 7 next year.

Cllr Lynn Worrall updated members of her cabinet on the devolution and reorganisation of local government at its meeting last night (Tuesday, 23 July).

She also confirmed that a 'shadow group', composed of representatives of existing councils across the county, will be formed in the autumn to help pave the way for the new incumbent.

Candidates for the post of mayor have yet to be named, though this week the Conservatives announced they will be selecting from a short-list of three, including a well-known businessman who began his career clowning around in Thurrock.

It now also seems likely that there will be an 'all out' election for all 49 borough ward council seats in May. Government cancellation of the elections, as happened last year, seems the only way that will not happen.

Cllr Lynn Worrall briefed colleagues last night.

Elections were due in May for a third of the council seats with polls in 16 wards but it seems all seats will now be up for grabs.

The council is moving matters forward on the understanding that the decision to stop elections last May was a deferment, rather than a cancellation and the authority is now preparing for a major local election. The government position is outlined in this link.

That is subject to further possible further intervention from Westminster, with many critics of the government suggesting it will seek to postpone again because of the surge of election successes by the Reform group, which picked up another local council seat in Basildon last week.

Clarity is also required as to where people in Thurrock will vote.

Boundary changes for local wards were due to be in place by now, but they too were delayed – with the council making an assumption that they will be implemented ahead of the next election.

The implementation of the changes to wards for Thurrock Council following the Boundary Commission review was also been similarly postponed. But an order due to come into force today suggests there will be new boundaries by May:  The Thurrock (Electoral Changes) Order 2025. 

The potential ward changes can be viewed in detail via this link.