A REQUEST has been submitted by Reform UK councillors for an extraordinary meeting of Thurrock Council to be held in the new year, when councillors would get to speak, debate and possibly vote on the government's invitation for the council to apply for next May's local council elections to be postponed.

Thurrock Reform group leader Cllr Alex Anderson said: "Last year Labour 'postponed' local elections across the country, including here in Thurrock.

"At the time, they told us this wouldn't be for more than 12 months. Government are now breaking this promise and are asking Thurrock Council if it wishes to cancel elections for a second year on the bounce.

"The significance of this decision can't be understated and it's why Thurrock Reform have submitted a request to the mayor for an extraordinary full council. This issue must be discussed, debated, and voted on by all councillors.

"Reform's position is clear – let the people vote!"

Thurrock Nub News understands plans have already been proposed by Thurrock Council Labour leader Cllr Lynn Worrall to hold an additional cabinet meeting in January, ahead of the government's 16 January deadline for a response. At that 'open' meeting all councillors would have an opportunity to speak on the issue, but only cabinet members would be able to vote.

Reform want something more powerful than that and want all councillors to be able vote on postponement.

The call by Reform, which has been supported by two independent councillors to enable the requisite request from a minimum five members, has echoes of an extraordinary meeting in October when independent members requested and were granted an extraordinary meeting to discuss plans for Local Government Reorganisation.

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However, though the meeting took place, Thurrock mayor, Labour's Cllr Sue Shinnick, declined to allow members to have a vote on local Labour's preferred option of a 'London centric' merger with Brentwood, Epping and Harlow.