Who won in 2012, and whether they will be standing in May

ward	elected in 2012	party in 2012
Belfairs	Stephen Aylen	Independent Group	Has left the Independent Group
Blenheim Park	Graham Longley	Liberal Democrat	Retiring
Chalkwell	Ian Robertson	Conservative	Defending
Eastwood Park	Chris Walker	Conservative	Defending
Kursaal	Anne Jones	Labour	Moved wards (to Westborough)
Leigh	Allan Crystall	Liberal Democrat	De-selected
Milton	Julian Ware-Lane	Labour	Defending
Prittlewell	Mary Betson	Liberal Democrat	Defending
Shoeburyness	Mike Assenheim	Independent Group	Defending
Southchurch	David Garston	Conservative	De-selected
St Laurence	Mark Flewitt	Conservative	Defending
St Luke’s	Brian Ayling	Independent Group	Defending
Thorpe	Mike Stafford	Independent Group	Defending
Victoria	Ian Gilbert	Labour	Defending
West Leigh	John Lamb	Conservative	Defending
West Shoebury	Derek Jarvis	Conservative	Defending
Westborough	Marimuthu Velmurugan	Independent Group	Now left group. Is defending, but will have an official Independent Group candidate up against him.

This table shows who was elected in 2012, and whether they will be seeking re-election in May.

Belfairs – I have no idea whether the Independent Group will put someone up against Stephen. The other Independent in that ward, who has fought both elections since 2012, is a friend of Stephen’s and unlikely to stand against him.

Blenheim Park – Graham has been privately talking about standing down for some time. His recent ill health has likely strengthened his resolve to make 2016 his retirement year.

Kursaal – Anne has chosen to contest her former home ward of Westborough. She did not seek re-selection in Kursaal.

Leigh – This will be Peter Wexham’s comeback attempt, tempting headlines of “Lib Dems opt for youth”! I do not know whether Allan will seek somewhere else to contest.

Shoeburyness – There is some speculation that defeated Independent Anne Chalk will continue her vendetta against Mike and stand against him in May.

Southchurch – David has somehow managed to be de-selected, and end up with a brighter prospect in Prittlewell. However, this could be his swansong as Labour have high hopes for Prittlewell.

Westborough – Marimuthu has chosen the route of total independence. This is a brave decision, in a ward that many are seeing as a certain Labour gain.