Reform to lead minority administration at Rochford

Reform UK will lead a minority administration on Rochford District Council, it has been announced.

Nigel Farage's party gained 13 seats on the Essex authority at the local elections, having previously had none, and became the largest group on the council.

The new leader, chartered accountant Adi Malviya, said he wanted to bring "financial discipline".

Following the annual council meeting on Tuesday, Conservative Simon Wootton was also appointed chairman.

"If we can identify more efficiencies, we intend to pass on those benefits to residents," said Malviya.

He said the council had already saved money by cutting the number of committees from ten, to eight, and in doing so, he wanted to use the money to offer free parking in Rayleigh on Saturdays as a boost for businesses.

This would need to be discussed among councillors.

Malviya said the finance, strategy and planning committees had merged with economic development - and the standards committee combined with audit and governance.

Reform won 13 out of 15 seats that were up for grabs on 7 May. They are seven short of a majority. The independents have 14 seats, the Tories have seven and the Liberal Democrats have five.

Malviya said he was chartered account and tax adviser and had previously worked in Dubai. He joined Reform in May 2025.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.