THE likelihood of elections to Thurrock Council in May 2026 has increased with messages coming out from central government and the local council.

What exactly voters will be able to cast their vote for remains couched in doubt with a number of options on the table.

It does seem a certainty that there will be an election for a new county-wide mayor. Plans are currenlty being made for the creation of a shadow authority comprising existing council representatives, to plough the way for the Mayor's office to be created after next May's poll.

The planned 'all out' election for a new Thurrock council in May this year was cancelled by the government as it shaped its plans for local devolution and council restructuring.

The all-out election had been called by the government and local commissioners who currently run the authority in the wake of its financial collapse - but elections were also cancelled for other councils, including Essex County.

One further complication is the boundary commission was due to reshape the electoral wards in Thurrock - but plans for that, which were expected to be implemented this year, have stagnated.

The matter was discussed at last week's meeting of Thurrock Council's Corporate overview and scrutiny committee, which was addressed by Labour council leader Cllr Lynn Worrall.

Currently, 16 council seats in Thurrock are scheduled to be up in May 2026, at the end of the current incumbents' four-year spell.

If boundaries remain the same, and there are just 16 elections, they will be in the following wards: Aveley and Uplands, Belhus, Chadwell, Grays Riverside, Grays Thurrock, Little Thurrock Blackshots, Little Thurrock Rectory, Ockendon, Orsett, South Chafford, Stanford East & Corringham Town, Stifford Clays, Homesteads, Tilbury Riverside & Thurrock Park, Tilbury St Chads and West Thurrock & South Stifford. Those seats are held by Labour (6), Conservatives (8), Reform (1) and Independent (1).

Cllr Worrall was questioned by committee chair Cllr Ben Maney, who said: "You mentioned that it's 'all go' for a mayoral election next May. Do you anticipate there should be council elections on the same day?

"If the government were to ask you now, or in a few months, would you be recommending council elections take place, or would you be advocating for another postponement?"

She responded by saying: "Council elections are scheduled for next May. It will not be our decision whether they happen or not, but they are scheduled. And we are planning to run elections next May. That's all I can say. Our party is getting ready for elections next May. I don't know what your party (Conservatives) is doing, but we have been told to prepare for elections next May.

Cllr Maney responded by saying: "We are always ready for an election. When they were postponed last year it was not a question of what the individual parties think, apparently what was good for the council. Do you think it would be in the council's interest to have those May elections, or will you consider asking for a postponement?"

Cllr Worrall said: "I don't think it will be us asking for a postponement, it will be what the government decides.

"It's not for me to decide. We won't be debating shall we do it or shall we not. It will be for government to decide. We are scheduled to have elections next May and we are proceeding as if there will be elections next May."

The matter of elections was also raised recently by South Basildon and East Thurrock MP James McMurdock.

He asked local government minister Jim McMahon to 'confirm specifically which local elections will be taking place next year?'

The minister responded by saying: "Elections are scheduled to elect councillors to Essex County Council, Thurrock, Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Colchester, Epping Forest, Harlow, Rochford and Southend-on-sea."

Mr McMurdock has not disclosed if there was any further information, but on social media said: "The only question is, given the Uniparty cancelled them this year, do you believe them?"

Under government proposals outlined last year, Thurrock Council was due to be abolished and become part of a new series of unitary authorities, operating administration in conjunction with the new mayor.

However, what will unfold is in a state of flux.

The current unitary authorities (Thurrock and Southend), Essex County Council and district councils across Essex are currently in discussion and negotiating what options will become reality.

At the moment the preferred option among councils other than Thurrock appears to be three councils, ie north, south and east unitary authorities – each with a population of around 750,000.

Cllr Worrall believes the best option would be four authorities and she has instructed local officers to come up with options – which she says will be put to local consultation over the summer.

All final suggestions have to be lodged with the government by Friday, 26 September.

Addressing last week's corporate services committee, Cllr Worrall said: "When I became leader I said that I would make sure that Thurrock was firmly at the top of the table and I will get the best deal.

"The program is really moving at pace so there's regular meetings. Over the last two months and at every single meeting, I've made sure that I've spoken whenever I go.  Locally our working group has really picked up pace and they are going to start every two weeks - and more so if they need to as the program progresses.

"Shortly I will be bringing a paper to council."

Cllr Worrall said she expected more information to be issued by the government in the coming week about greater Essex and the mayor's role, adding: "We hope that there will be an announcement that we go to elections next May.

"But there's a lot of work to make sure that when the mayor goes into office on May 10 or whatever day it works out that they've got some work to get on with so that they don't just walk into an empty building and there's nothing there for them to do.

"I never realised how complex it would be.

"Looking at reorganisation, the guidelines for new councils means you should not have more than 10% of your budget laid down to debt. So we will need significant financial support from the government.

"For me the three council option is too big. It takes us further away from our communities."