The full list of candidates has been announced for the May 2 local election - a vote which promises to be one of the hardest fought in years.
Basildon Council hangs on a knife-edge with predictions of Labour's slim minority administration swinging back to the Conservatives.
However, the picture is complicated by a number of boundary changes, including the creation of some new wards. These include Crouch, Pitsea South East and St Martin's.
At the moment Labour has 19 seats, the Conservatives 19 and the Liberal Democrats 4.
Notable absences include council leader John Potter (Fryerns East) who has decided to stand down after more than 30 years at the highest level in the council.
Mr Potter's replacement will only be chosen after the May election, leaving him with the awkward prospect of leading the party during a campaign at which he is not standing.
Likely replacements include Nigel Smith, husband of MP Angela Smith or portfolio holder Richard Llewellyn.
Other councillors standing down include leading Tory Peter Patrick (Billericay) and Labour veteran, Bob Sears (Langdon Hills).
For the full list of nominations see today's Evening Echo
Published Tuesday, April 9, 2002
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