One of seven recently resigned Burnham Town Councillors has spoken out following the mass departure earlier this month.

Nick Skeens, former Councillor for Burnham-on-Crouch South Ward, told the Maldon Standard that "severe abuse" faced by departing members was what encouraged the move.

He said: "We're unpaid volunteers, and last May we were all elected. And now we have all stood down because there is no job in England where you sustain that level of abuse without the possibility of recourse or defence.

"We are here to serve the town. It just isn't fair.

"Seven councillors had to resign. It should not have happened. This is a complete threat to democracy."

Councillors Fiona Clegg, Jane English, Duncan Rawlinson, Paula Stanbury, Diane Carter and Mary-Ann Mumford also resigned within one week of one another.

There will be an extraordinary meeting held on Monday, November 25 at 7.30pm, to discuss the appointment of a new town mayor after the departure of both the Town Mayor and the Deputy Town Mayor.

There will also be discussions on disbanding council committees in favour of a coordinator-led structure, and practical matters such as banking authorisation, rearrangement for switching on the Towns Christmas lights, and determining the date for a Town Council budget meeting. 

Discussing the future of the council ahead of the meeting, Mr Skeens told the Maldon Standard: "Talking about the future of the council ahead of the meeting, Mr Skeens said: "The remaining councillors will be temporarily pulled onto the council until another election.

"But my question is who will stand knowing they will be continually abused. That is my concern."

Another ex-councillor, who chose to remain anonymous, also told the newspaper: "We voluntarily stepped down, not because we did something un-toward but for our own safety."

Following the resignations, the Town Council was left non-quorate and therefore un-operational.

Maldon District Council has temporarily appointed District Councillors to stand in at Burnham Town Council meetings to allow it to continue to function.

These Councillors include Cllr Vanessa Bell, Una Siddal-Norman, and Ron Pratt.

Maldon Nub News has approached Maldon Town Council for comment.