A council has elected a new leader and deputy leader after months of waiting.

Maldon District Council elected Independent Councillor Wendy Stamp, representing Burnham-on-Crouch North, as its new leader at the Statutory Annual Meeting last night (November 5).

The meeting was originally postponed in May due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mrs Stamp replaces Conservative Councillor Elaine Bamford in the role, which she took on after the resignation of Councillor Adrian Fluker who was found to have breached the councillors code of conduct.

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The vote was split directly across party lines, with all 15 Independent voting for, 13 Conservatives voting against and one abstention.

As Mrs Stamp is the leader of the largest political group, the vote gave her formal consent in the position.

Independent Councillor Stephen Nunn was also elected as Deputy Leader.