Chris Whitbread, Leader of Epping Forest District Council, has announced his intention to write to the Secretary of State asking her to not postpone the district council elections, scheduled for May 2026, despite the government’s offer.

On Tuesday 6 January, the leader met with council group leaders to discuss the implications of the government’s proposal to delay the elections in May. The government made the offer because of concerns holding elections would delay preparation for local government reorganisation (LGR).

This proposal follows the government’s recent decision to defer the Mayor of Greater Essex election from 2026 to 2028.

Despite hearing about the cost of holding elections and that they risked delaying local government reorganisation, group leaders agreed that elections should still take place and no extraordinary meeting of full council will be required to formalise the council’s response.

No to postponing district council elections

Epping Forest District Council will not call on the government to postpone the district council elections, however we do recognise that this has the potential to delay local government reorganisation.

Councillor Chris Whitbread, Leader of Epping Forest District Council

• Read our news story on 19 December – Government proposes cancelling elections