THE people of Harlow have voted overwhelmingly against appointing an elected mayor, in what was the second highest turnout for a mayoral referendum in the country.o

Some 59,647 ballot papers were sent to residents with 21,704 returned a 36 per cent turnout. Some 20,865 of those ballot papers were then entered into the count, with 15,490 votes against the mayor option and 5,296 in favour.

Over 70 papers were rejected.

The results were officially announced by Harlow Council chief executive Doug Patterson on Friday.

The council put forward the mayoral option for the council's new political structure ahead of a leader and cabinet or enhanced committee system after a series of consultation exercises last year.

Conservative group leader Andrew Johnson said: "This is the result we always expected from our extensive listening exercises over the past few months. It's unfortunate that the Labour Party forced us into an expensive referendum only to prove what three previous consultations had shown."

Liberal Democrats group leader Lorna Spenceley said: "Harlow residents have given a convincing and resounding result - a clear no! We mounted a strong campaign to persuade people of the need to vote 'no' to an expensive and undemocratic proposal for a mayor.

"The residents have let us know exactly what they think of the proposal and are not convinced at spending £50,000 on a mayor's salary and other expenses."

Council leader Alan Jones said: "The Labour group has not sought to influence voters' views in any way. We felt it was critical that people should be able to make up their own minds. Nevertheless I'm really pleased that people have chosen to go with the enhanced committee system.

"We've already begun work on a massive improvement programme and the council will be able to move forward with confidence, knowing that we have a clear mandate from local people to work in a particular way.

"This decision will put Harlow in good stead for years to come."

The fall-back option of having an enhanced committee system, and which was agreed in September, will now be put in place after the May elections.