MORE than half of a council, including the chairman, have said they are to quit.

Marks Tey Parish Council desperately needs new councillors.

There will soon be only five elected members, leaving six vacancies and a parish clerk to replace.

Chairman Nigel Fitch is standing down at tonight’s meeting, but will remain a councillor for a few weeks to help a new chairman find members.

Two others have already resigned and four have announced they are standing down shortly, according to Mr Fitch.

It follows more than a decade with many of the same people representing the fast-growing village.

Mr Fitch, who has been on the council since 1992, said he was fed up after years of broken promises surrounding safety improvements on the A120.

He said: “We hope to get more people in. We have had a full council for more than ten years and I have been chairman for 15.

“Every year you ask the same questions about the A120 and get the same answers.

“It is a shame we are going to drop down so quickly and we are losing our clerk as well.”

Clerk Abi Howe has been offered another job and has handed in her notice. Mr Fitch said: “She has been very good and will be a big loss.”

Despite the A120 frustration, Mr Fitch said the role of councillor was rewarding and pointed to the “thrill’’ of completing a project benefiting the community.

He cited a new playground, skate park and basketball facilities as just some of the achievements for which he was partly responsible.

But ultimately the frustrations had become too much for many members. He added: “You knock on the door of the higher authority, then you bang your head on the wall and if you keep doing it then it hurts.

“More and more is expected from Colchester Council, but they give you less and then you see how much they waste on things like the Firstsite gallery. They waste millions and we can make a big difference with a few thousand.”

Allan Walker will be elected chairman tonight, having joined in March.

Anyone living or working in or near Marks Tey and interested in becoming a councillor should call 01206 213250 or visit www.essexinfor.

net/marksteyparish