HOUSEBUILDING and development has dominated the political agenda in Castle Point over the past year, as the council frantically tries to agree on a Local Plan setting out sites for new homes between now and 2031.
Political parties in the borough will be hoping their stance on the issues will help convince voters to choose them when they cast their vote on Thursday.
A January vote to decide on the Local Plan saw 25 councillors from all political parties vote against a plan to build 4,000 homes across the borough. Six voted in favour.
But the following month, an alternative plan excluding some green belt sites and reducing the total homes to 2,000 was narrowly passed, by 15 votes to 14.
The decision went along party lines among those councillors eligible to vote, with Tories favouring the revised plan and Ukip and Canvey Independents opposing it.
The Tories currently boast a slender majority, holding 22 of the 41 seats available in the council chamber.
They will be hoping to maintain their stronghold in Benfleet, Thundersley and Hadleigh, as well as looking to gain numbers on Canvey.
Much of the island is dominated by the Canvey Independent Party, which holds 13 seats. This makes them the main opposition and the group pride themselves on being “islanders fighting for island issues.”
Inevitably, this means they will not be fielding any candidates in mainland wards.
This year’s election will also see Ukip contest seats on Canvey, marking the end of an agreement between the party and the Canvey Independents.
Last year, the two parties agreed not to field candidates against each other in Castle Point, an alliance which also saw Canvey Independent Party members campaigning for Ukip's General Election candidate Jamie Huntman.
Labour, which has been without a seat in the chamber since 2007, will be hoping they can finally get their foot back in the door.
Three councillors will not be seeking re-election this year, making elections in St George’s, Canvey North and Canvey East particularly interesting.
Canvey Independent Martin Tucker has called time on his 12 years of service, meaning he will not be fighting to keep his seat in the island’s North ward.
Mr Tucker says frustration at the borough’s failed attempts to finalise its Local Plan and his wish to spend more time with family have both contributed to his decision.
The Local Plan also acted as the motivation for Colin Letchford, a councillor with no party allegiance, to resign from his East ward seat in the middle of a key vote on green belt development.
After Tory councillor Jackie Govier died earlier this year, her seat in St George's ward will be up for election.
The election campaign took an unexpected twist last week, after Ukip was accused of fraud in its nomination process.
Lucy Parkin has been selected as Ukip's candidate for Canvey Winter Gardens, but Rupert Duke, 51, of Castle View Road, Canvey, was shocked to discover he was listed on official papers as one of the ten people who had nominated her.
Ukip blamed the mishap on an administrative error, but Mr Duke informed police after suspecting fraud.
Despite the alleged error, Castle Point Council has confirmed Ms Parkin will not be barred from standing in next week's election, as her nomination had already been accepted.
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