Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he had discussions with the Leader of Basildon Council before announcing the delay to the 2026 local elections in Basildon.

As set out to Parliament on 22 January, in reaching his decisions the Secretary of State carefully considered all the representations made, including those relating to elections in Basildon. The Secretary of State did not meet with the Leader of Basildon Council on the topic of 2026 local elections prior to the announcement of 22 January.