BASILDON Council is edging closer to being controlled by the Conservatives once again after a councillor defected to join the group.

Peter Holliman, previously Wickford Independents councillor for Wickford Park, announced yesterday he would be joining the Tories with immediate effect.

Independent councillors Kerry Smith and Imelda Clancy have also expressed an interest in joining the party, which could potentially give the Tories exactly half of the 42-strong chamber.

The Conservatives have not had a majority on Basildon Council since 2013 and are currently governing as a minority administration, which means they must rely on votes from political rivals to pass votes.

Mr Holliman formed Wickford Independents last November along with two other then-Ukip councillors in the town, David Harrison and Alan Ball.

The group was set up with the intention of ensuring issues concerning Wickford were given more prominence in council debates.

But Mr Holliman said he had grown frustrated with his inability to exert power in the chamber.

He said: “As my time for re-election is coming up in 2018 I was unsure whether to carry on as a member of the Wickford Independents or to change parties.

“I feel that as the power in Basildon Council is Conservative, I think I will have more influence over decisions about the future of Wickford by joining the party in power.

“It feels right. I am doing this for Wickford as everything I do is for Wickford and I took my time and thought about the decision.”

Phil Turner, Tory leader of the council, has welcomed Mr Holliman to the party, but insists his arrival will alter Tory policy.

He added: “As far as I am concerned nothing will change in terms of council pledges and promises.

“We are working to develop and improve Basildon and that will not change, as a Basildon born man myself I am passionate about making Basildon better for the future.

“Peter is a tireless crusader for residents and the town of Wickford and has a reputation for championing causes and resolving them.

“He is a universally well-respected member of the community and with the political fraternity too.”

Earlier this year, mother and son Imelda Clancy and Kerry Smith announced their intention to join the Tories.

But Mr Turner said the move being made official was dependent on establishing whether the duo’s views and policies were compatible with the Conservative group.

The pair are also former Ukip councillors, but formed the Independence from EU group when Mr Smith quit as the party’s parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock in December 2014.