CASTLE Point Council’s chief executive has warned a referendum on an elected mayor could cost the borough’s taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds.

Canvey resident Colin Letchford is carrying out a petition and needs 3,400 residents – 5 per cent of the borough – to sign up and trigger a referendum.

But David Marchant told the Echo elected mayors were better suited to large cities, not small boroughs like Castle Point.

He said: “If Mr Letchford is successful in gaining support from 5 per cent of the electorate it will be the whole of Castle Point’s electorate who will fund the referendum.

“That will be through their council tax, as the council does not have a budget for such an event.

“The cost of a referendum could run into tens of thousands of pounds and residents must judge for themselves whether this represents good value for money at a time of enormous financial pressure.

“Electing a mayor, as Mr Letchford is seeking, would not do away with the current cabinet system.

“The mayor would be elected for four years and would work with a cabinet, much in the same way as we currently do.

“A leader is elected for a year at a time at the annual council meeting.”