New ECC councillors for Maldon pledge to help residents

The seats for Southminster, Maldon, and Heybridge and Tollesbury were up for grabs at the Essex County Council elections on ‘Super Thursday’.

After an exciting night, the Conservatives emerged with the majority, securing 52 seats countywide.

However, they lost their Southminster seat to Independent candidate Wendy Stamp.

Mrs Stamp, who is also district council leader for Maldon, said she was over the moon after winning with 3,131 votes.

Councillor Wendy Stamp

She also made history as the first woman and first Independent candidate to hold the seat.

She said: “I’ve had massive support from the residents, so it’s been really good.

“It’s hard work, and all candidates need to be given their dues for putting their heads above the parapet and doing all the work to run a campaign.

“I’m a great believer in community and doing the best we can to support those communities.

“The biggest issues I will be looking at are potholes and the state of road signs.

“I’m also looking at school places and the lack of places at GP surgeries.

“I think it’s really important for people, especially young girls, to have someone to look to and say ‘I can do that’.”

Conservative candidate Jane Fleming won the county’s Maldon seat with 2,818 votes.

Mrs Fleming, who represents the Purleigh ward at district council level, said it was a great honour to be elected.

Councillor Jane Fleming

She said: “I visited the council chamber where I will be arguing the case for the Maldon division.

“I will work hard every day to get the very best for my residents.

“My focus will also be on protecting Maldon’s historic core, revitalising the high street and protecting our surrounding rural heritage and, of course, the next four years will be about rebuilding after Covid. “The education and health of our children and young people is also a priority.

“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of the other candidates – it takes courage to stand and many hours of walking.

“I would also like to pay tribute to outgoing county councillor Penny Channer for her 12 years of hard work and dedication.

“The fact polling day and the count ran so smoothly during these difficult times is a testament to the staff at Maldon District Council.”

Conservative candidate Mark Durham held the Heybridge and Tollesbury seat with 3,359 votes.

Councillor Mark Durham

Mr Durham, who also represents the Wickham Bishops and Woodham ward at district council level, said: “I’m pleased the electorate have put their faith in me for another four years.”

“The most important aspect is always representing the people who voted you in no matter what other responsibilities you may have.

“As Conservatives, we put our residents’ views first, irrespective of my or their political views.

“If I can say ‘I’ve done my best’ then I’ve at least done my duty.

“The biggest thing to deal with is highways and the problems which come with them such as speeding, potholes, and anti-social driving.

“I will have other responsibilities looking after culture, tourism and promoting Essex as a destination – we have a lot of exciting work to do with that.

“I continue to have my district seat and elections for that will be in 2023.

“It’s perfectly possible to do the two jobs as I have done it for the past four years.

“It’s not an easy job and anybody who thinks it is, is fooling themselves.”