THE Conservatives’ loss of control at Rochford Council for the first time in 21 years was confirmed, on what they admitted was a “night of great disappointment” both politically and personally.

No party has a majority following the Tories’ loss of three seats, leaving them with 14 out of 39 councillors.

And Simon Wootton, who became leader of the council in 2020, said there was a human cost too.

He said: “From a Conservative perspective it was a night of great disappointment. We lost four seats, and with that, four very hard-working councillors.

“Behind every one of those seats is a real person who has worked very hard for the district, and it is a loss to us all.”

Rochford Council has been under Conservative control for 35 of its 49 years since it was created in 1974.

However, the party have been steadily losing seats in recent years, going from 27 councillors before last year’s local elections to barely half that today.

And the Tories had already been reduced to a minority administration earlier this year, when three councillors quit the party.

Following Thursday’s election there are now 14 Conservatives, nine Independents, eight Lib Dems, seven from the Rochford Residents, and one Green.

Any coalition would need 20 councillors to command a majority.

Mr Wootton, who is ward member for Roche North and Rural, called for parties to work together for the good of the residents.

“Elections always throw up surprises and disappointments but unfortunately this one threw up more disappointments than surprises,” he said.

“Looking to the future, we will work hard for our residents to continue to make Rochford the nice place it is to live in.”