The five key takeaways from interviews with senior party leaders ahead of Thursday's local elections.
The BBC obtains emails showing how a council responded to the incident behind the scenes.
Judges tell Epping Forest District Council it cannot appeal against a High Court ruling.
The council that took action against The Bell Hotel says court costs were "completely unfair".
Epping Forest District Council paid Shabana Mahmood's £66,000 legal costs, a court hears.
Court documents allege customers may have been exposed to safety risks at Topgolf in Chigwell.
The council says the new centre is a key milestone in achieving its carbon neutrality goals.
Political reporter Simon Dedman looks at the biggest issues coming up in Essex this year.
The authority's leader says the decision shows the government is listening to residents' concerns.
