Maldon District Council (MDC) will hold its Annual Statutory Meeting next Wednesday (20 May) - where who leads the council, as well as the make-up and chairmanship of committees, will be decided.

The Independent administration formed in November last year is set to continue as at the local elections last Thursday (6 May) one Conservative Party candidate and one Independent secured seats in the two district council by-election seats, meaning the political balance is unchanged.

The agenda for the meeting, which will be the first held face-to-face since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, includes three motions supported by two Conservative councillors - who both belong to the Democratic Alliance Group on the council - regarding questions to the leader.

Councillor Michael Helm, seconded by Councillor Adrian Fluker, proposes that questioning of the leader should be strengthened at meetings, with less restrictions on time, a demand for written answers where the leader cannot answer and a regular spot for questions to the leader at meetings.

The meeting will take place at Maldon Stadium (Maldon and Tiptree Football Club), in Park Drive, Maldon at 10am on Wednesday, 20 May. Attendance in person needs to be booked due to Covid-19 restrictions - the details are available by visiting the Maldon District Council website at the link here. The meeting will also be live streamed to help provide easier access to members of the public.