THREE candidates were celebrating this evening (Friday, 7 May) after winning seats representing the Maldon district area on Essex County Council (ECC).

The count run by Maldon District Council at Five Lakes Resort in Colchester Road, Tolleshunt Knights, delivered the local election results before 1pm.

There was an average 35 per cent turnout at the polls for the ECC elections.

Due to the Covid-19 situation, candidates were not able to make acceptance speeches at the count - so Nub News spoke to them at the event to make sure they could give their reaction later.

Independent Wendy Stamp, who won the Southminster Division seat on ECC, said: "Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I am looking forward to making a difference for the Dengie. I am truly honoured and will continue working hard to achieve the necessary changes we need to continue prosperity and growth. We also need to ensure the spectacular community spirit shown throughout the pandemic continues. A special thank you to my lovely group of friends and family who always support me year on year .

"I also wish to thank all the staff at MDC and volunteers who have worked extremely hard to ensure the election ran so well."

Conservative Mark Durham, who won the Heybridge & Tollesbury Division seat on ECC, said: "I am very pleased and honoured to have been re-elected for the Heybridge & Tollesbury seat at Essex County Council with an increased majority over 2017 by polling 56 per cent of the votes cast.

"This has been a very tough election with the restrictions imposed on candidates by Covid and then the death of HRH Duke of Edinburgh. Candidates have all worked very hard and I would like to pay tribute to those who did not win or retain their seats today.

"Being an elected member of Essex County Council brings significant responsibility and it is essential that members honour the faith put in them by the electorate by doing their very best to represent them to the best of their ability. In some cases it isn't possible to deliver what a resident may ask for, but as long as everything is done by the councillor to deliver a positive outcome, they have fulfilled their duty.

"In the next four years ECC has to continue the excellent work from the previous administration as well as doing its part to bring the county's businesses and residents out of the recent hardships caused by the pandemic.

"I pay tribute to the Liberal Democrat, Green Party, Labour Party and Independent candidates who stood for this division who have all fought a fair and honest campaign.

"I promise to carry out whatever duties I may have in the council to the very best of my ability, which is all anyone can ask of me. The new Conservative administration will use the next four years to make Essex the best county in the United Kingdom."

Conservative Jane Fleming, who won the Maldon Division seat on ECC, said: "I am absolutely delighted to be the new Essex County Councillor for the Maldon Division.

"It is a great honour - thank you. I will work hard every day to get the very best for my residents, while focusing on protecting Maldon's historic core, revitalising the High Street and protecting our surrounding rural heritage."