THE Conservative party has been wiped out from the Castle Point Council following an election count whilst two independent parties cemented their control of the available seats.
The Castle Point Council borough election took place on May 3 following a day of polling from residents on Thursday, and now the fate of the council and its 13 wards has been decided by the people.
The People’s Independent Party (PIP) and the Canvey Island Independent Party (CIIP) both dominated this year’s election and have complete control of the party.
Remarkably there is no main party such as Conservative, Labour or the Green Party on this council, it’s solely made up of the two independent groups.
Following the election, Castle Point Council will now consist of 15 Canvey Indepenent Party councillors and 24 People's Independent Party councillors.
Out of the 13 wards up for grabs, PIP has a hold of eight of them and CIIP controls five of them.
Last year, the Conservative Party held seven seats but has now lost all of its influence over the council, as all standing conservative councillors failed to win any foothold in the election.
Councillor Dave Blackwell, the Canvey Island Independent Party Leader, and current leader of Castle Point Council, was re-elected to represent Canvey North this year.
Mr Blackwell is looking forward to continuing to work with PIP, the majority seat holder.
He said: “We’re very pleased, I think today is history in the making, it’s the first time ever in history of Castle Point where there are no main parties in the council, it’s an independent-run council.
“We get on well with PIP and the people are finally in control, running the local authority, I think people don’t have faith in mainstream parties anymore.
“We are determined to make it a council where people feel like they can approach us, and we’ll do the upmost to ensure that.
“I will prove in the next four years we can be a trusted council, and we will consult with our residents.”
Mr Blackwell claims PIP want him to continue as the leader of the council due to his years of experience.
The joint cabinet for this new council will focus on delivering its local plan.
There will be a focus on regeneration for Canvey Island and the use of the £20million of Levelling up funding, setting up a town board full of residents and local businesses, and much more.
Councillor Janice Payne, of the CIIP, has shared her reaction to being elected to Castle Point's Canvey South Ward and today's events.
She said: "It feels amazing, it is incredible.
“This is for my husband who was a councillor until last year when he passed away."
A full list of the winners and losers of the election can be found here.
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