A VETERAN councillor has been kicked off the planning committee after joining the Conservative Party.

Brian Wood, who was elected as a Ukip councillor for Benfleet St George’s in May, became an independent days after the election before joining the Tories weeks later.

Mr Wood had a seat on Castle Point Council’s development control committee as an independent member of the council.

As a result of him switching parties, he is no longer allowed to sit on the committee in order to keep political balance in the group.

The move comes after Mr Wood said he joined the Tories to affect policy and change in the borough.

Councillors decided at full council on Wednesday night to appoint independent councillor Ron Hurrell to the vacant seat on the committee.

Council leader Colin Riley nominated Mr Hurrell to the role, seconded by Colin Letchford.

Mr Riley said: “I welcome Mr Wood across to us, he is a long serving councillor and I know no matter what party he sits in he will always do his best for the community.”

Ukip councillor Alan Bayley opposed the move and called for by-elections to be included in the council constitution if a councillor switches party.

He said: “This is caused by maverick councillors being allowed to run around and do as they please, leaving political parties without the mandate of the people that voted for them.”

Mayor Andrew Sheldon shut down the outburst.

The seat allocated on the wellbeing policy and scrutiny committee to an Independent member is now transferred to the Conservative group as councillor Wood was appointed to the seat no change is necessary.