A long time councillor has been promoted into his first senior cabinet role.

Chigwell and Loughton Broadway county councillor Gagan Mohindra has been appointed portfolio holder for economic development, which includes housing, at Essex County Council.

Having last year served as a deputy, cllr Mohindra is now the only Epping Forest based councillor serving in the county council's cabinet.

This does not compare favourably to places such as Saffron Walden which sent three councillors to the top table.

Leader David Finch said: “Gagan will renew our focus on economic growth, ensuring we know what skills businesses need and that we have the commercial space for them to develop.

"We know that Essex needs at least 136,000 new homes over the next 20 years.

"Gagan will work with partners across Essex to facilitate housing growth in such a way that the characteristics of the county we cherish are protected and enhanced. We are not just building new homes, we are building communities.

" Congratulations to Councillor Mohindra on achieving this significant post of influence within Essex County Council."

One person less willing to congratulate the new cabinet member and instead ready to nip at his heels was fellow Loughton cllr Steven Murray.

The independent said: "Perhaps he can start by listening to the community within his own county division who have made their views very clear as regards the need to protect and keep Jessel Green.

"Also now we have a local county councillor within the key decision making body at County Hall in Chelmsford can I suggest that two county issues are of the utmost local importance and need to be dealt with as soon as possible.

"Essex Highways need to start tackling the seriously poor condition of our local roads. The pot holes are an utter disgrace and are often commented on by my constituents and their visitors from nearby London authorities who appear to give highway maintenance a far higher priority than Essex County Council currently do.

"The near total darkness experienced during the night with the Essex policy of switching of every street light in residential areas.

"Many residents and shift workers continue to express their desire to see a more flexible policy than the current switch off policy operated by Essex County Council."