HEYBRIDGE Parish Council has lost a second councillor in space of a month.

Don Benson, who was only elected to the council six months ago in September, handed in his resignation last week.

Mr Benson, who is also chairman of Heybridge Residents Association, had taken over the council’s environment committee and was working on plans to potentially introduce charges to the Daisy Meadows car park in Heybridge Basin.

He said: “Due to an internal issue I felt I had to resign as a councillor of Heybridge Parish Council.

“Sadly I have joined the ranks of many who had aspirations of doing good for Heybridge in connection with Heybridge Parish Council who have felt it necessary to resign from the council.”

Mr Benson’s departure follows hot on the heels of Professor Lew Schnurr, who resigned from the council at the end of April.

Prof Schnurr was recommended to be suspended from his committee and representation duties at Heybridge Parish Council for six months following a standards committee hearing earlier in the month.

However, when the council voted to suspend him for 12 months, which lead right up to the parish council elections next year, he chose to resign.

Prof Schnurr stated the council’s decision was the latest in a “line of confusion” from the council, and that it was “no longer capable of fully and positively supporting our community as it develops and expands”.

It is not known if work towards introducing charges to the Daisy Meadows car park will continue following Mr Benson’s departure, or if by-elections will be called to replace him or Prof Schnurr.

The council declined to comment.