Conservative Gavin Taylor won the Billericay East town council seat with 1,640 votes to Reform UK's 552. Turnout was 23.6%. The full declaration.

Conservative candidate Gavin Taylor has won the Billericay East Ward seat on Billericay Town Council. He took 1,640 votes in Thursday’s by-election, against 552 for Reform UK’s Denise Martin.

The figures are from the declaration of result signed by Julian Ellerby, the Returning Officer, on 22 October.

Candidate Description on the ballot Votes
Gavin Taylor The Conservative Party Candidate 1,640
Denise Martin ReformUK - Changing Politics for Good 552

That gives Mr Taylor about 75% of the valid votes, a majority of 1,088.

Turnout

The ward has 9,425 electors, and 2,225 ballot papers were counted. Turnout was 23.6%, the declaration says.

Thirty-three ballot papers were rejected:

  • 32 unmarked or void for uncertainty
  • 1 voting for more candidates than allowed

Why there was a poll

The seat fell vacant when Councillor Alan Talboys resigned. Parish vacancies are usually filled by co-option, but ten electors asked for an election, so one was held. We set out the timetable and how that request worked in our by-election preview in September.

What it means for you

Mr Taylor fills the vacant seat until the next whole-council elections for Billericay Town Council, due in 2028. The town council is the smallest part of a Billericay council tax bill: its precept adds £26.01 a year at Band D. Our Basildon council tax bands page has the full breakdown.

The town council’s own councillor list carries contact details for East Ward’s councillors once it is updated.

Sources