Residents’ parties and independents form alliance at Essex County Council to become official opposition

After the recent successful Essex County Council (ECC) elections, Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) has formed an alliance with similar residents and independent councillors to become the official opposition group at ECC.

Paul Gadd (R4U) Paul Gadd (R4U)

R4U’s Cllr Paul Gadd, Essex County Councillor for the Saffron Walden division, said “The residents’ movement is growing across Essex. As a result the largest number of residents’ and independent councillors were elected in the recent county council elections. At ECC we have joined with them to form what is called a ‘non-aligned’ group, which because of its size, is now the official opposition at ECC.”

Cllr Chris Pond (LRA) Chris Pond (Loughton Residents)

Cllr Gadd continued “The new grouping is led by long-serving Loughton Residents Association Councillor Chris Pond, who we know well and have an excellent working relationship with. In addition to both myself and Martin Foley as R4U councillors, the group includes councillors from Basildon, Canvey Island, Rochford, Southminster and Tendring. This important alliance gives our grouping a stronger say in decision making, more seats on committees, and increased power to work within ECC to try to secure a better service for our residents.”

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