Essex County Council

Last updated

Essex County Council
Arms of Essex.svg
Arms of Essex
Essex County Council logo.svg
Council logo
Type
Type
Leadership
Jill Reeves,
Conservative
since 17 May 2023 [1]
Kevin Bentley,
Conservative
since 25 May 2021
Gavin Jones
since January 2016
Structure
Seats75 (38 needed for a majority)
UK Essex County Council Seats2021.svg
Political groups
Administration
  Conservative (52)
Other parties
  Liberal Democrats (8)
  Labour (5)
  Independent (3)
  R4U (2)
  CIIP (2)
  Green (1)
  Loughton Residents (1)
  Rochford Residents (1)
Length of term
4 years
Elections
First-past-the-post
Last election
 6 May 2021
Next election
1 May 2025
Meeting place
Essex County Hall.jpg
County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1QH
Website
www.essex.gov.uk OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Essex County Council is the county council that governs the non-metropolitan county of Essex in England. It has 75 councillors, elected from 70 divisions, and has been under Conservative majority control since 2001. [2] The council meets at County Hall in the centre of Chelmsford. It is a member of the East of England Local Government Association.

Contents

History

Elected county councils were created under the Local Government Act 1888, taking over many administrative functions that had previously been performed by magistrates at the Quarter Sessions. The first elections were held in January 1889, and the council formally came into being on 1 April 1889. The council held its first official meeting on 2 April 1889 at the Shire Hall in Chelmsford. The first chairman of the council was Andrew Johnston of Woodford, a Liberal, who held the post for 27 years until he stood down in 1916. [3] [4]

The area governed by the county council (called the "administrative county" until 1974) excluded county boroughs, which were towns considered large enough to provide their own county-level services. When the county council was established in 1889 there was one county borough within the wider county of Essex, at West Ham. [5] Other county boroughs were subsequently created, removing them from the administrative county, being Southend-on-Sea in 1914 and East Ham in 1915. [6] [7] The administrative county was further reduced in 1965 under the London Government Act 1963 which transferred Barking, Chingford, Dagenham, Hornchurch, Ilford, Leyton, Romford, Walthamstow, and Wanstead and Woodford to Greater London. [8]

The county was reconstituted in 1974 as a non-metropolitan county under the Local Government Act 1972, which reformed the council's powers and responsibilities and saw it regain jurisdiction over Southend-on-Sea. The county was divided into 14 non-metropolitan districts at the same time, forming a lower tier of local government. [9] In 1998 two of the districts, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock were made unitary authorities, removing them from the area controlled by Essex County Council and transferring county-level services to those councils. [10] For certain services, Essex, Southend and Thurrock co-operate through joint arrangements, such as the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

At the 2011 census Essex County Council served a population of 1,393,600, making it one of the largest local authorities in England. County council functions include social care, transport, education and many others.

Political control

The council has had a Conservative majority since 2001.

Political control of the county council since the reforms of the Local Government Act 1972 took effect on 1 April 1974 has been as follows: [11]

Party in controlYears
Conservative 1974–1985
No overall control 1985–1989
Conservative 1989–1993
No overall control 1993–1998
Conservative 1998–1998
No overall control 1998–2001
Conservative 2001–present

Leadership

The leaders of the council since 1996 have been: [12]

CouncillorPartyFromTo
Bill Archibald Labour May 1996
Chris Pearson Labour May 1996May 1997
Mervyn Juliff Labour May 1997Apr 1998
Paul White, Baron Hanningfield Conservative Apr 1998May 1999
Mervyn Juliff Labour May 1999Feb 2000
Paul White, Baron Hanningfield Conservative Feb 20009 Feb 2010
Peter Martin Conservative 9 Feb 20105 May 2013
David Finch Conservative 14 May 20139 May 2021
Kevin Bentley Conservative 25 May 2021

Composition

Following the 2021 election, the composition of the council was as follows:

PartyCouncillors
Conservative 52
Liberal Democrats 8
Labour 5
Residents for Uttlesford 2
Canvey Island Independent Party 2
Green 1
Rochford District Residents 1
Loughton Residents Association 1
Independent 3
Total75

The Canvey Island Independents, Green, Loughton Residents, Residents for Uttlesford, Rochford Residents and the three independent councillors all sit together as the "Non-aligned Group". [13] The next election is due in 2025.

Elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2005 the council has comprised 75 councillors representing 70 electoral divisions, each electing one or two councillors. Elections are held every four years. [14]

Premises

Shire Hall, Chelmsford: Used for council meetings 1889-1938. Shire Hall, Chelmsford.jpg
Shire Hall, Chelmsford: Used for council meetings 1889–1938.

The council is based at County Hall on Market Road in Chelmsford. [15]

From its creation in 1889 until 1938 the council met four times a year at Shire Hall in Chelmsford but met at other times at premises near Liverpool Street station in London, which was more accessible by train to the majority of councillors. In 1909 the council built itself an office building on Duke Street in Chelmsford with a view to later extending the building to include a council chamber, before deciding against the extension on grounds of cost. [16] The council's London premises moved several times, finally settling in 1931 at a building called Essex House at 26 Finsbury Square, which included offices, a council chamber and committee rooms. [17]

A new County Hall was built between 1929 and 1939 between Market Road, Threadneedle Street and Duke Street in Chelmsford, adjoining the 1909 office block. The new County Hall included a council chamber, which was formally opened on 23 September 1938. [18] [19] The council's London premises at Finsbury Square were destroyed in the Blitz during the Second World War. [20] Further extensions were added to County Hall in the 1950s and 1960s, particularly along Market Road. [21]

Young Essex Assembly

Essex County Council operates a Youth Assembly, comprising 75 members aged between 11 and 19 who aim to represent young people across Essex. The initiative seeks to engage younger people in the county, with the youth councillors working with schools and youth centres to improve youth services in Essex and help voice concerns of younger people. The Youth Assembly also sends representatives to the UK Youth Parliament. [22]

Notable members

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thurrock</span> Borough in Essex, England

Thurrock is a unitary authority area with borough status in the ceremonial county of Essex, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames immediately east of London and has over 18 miles (29 km) of riverfront including the Port of Tilbury, the principal port for London. Thurrock is within the London commuter belt and is an area of regeneration within the Thames Gateway redevelopment zone. The borough includes the northern ends of the Dartford Crossing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle Point</span> Non-metropolitan district and borough in England

Castle Point is a local government district with borough status in south Essex, England, lying around 30 miles (48 km) east of London. The borough comprises the towns of South Benfleet, Hadleigh and Thundersley on the mainland, and the adjoining Canvey Island in the Thames Estuary, which is connected to the mainland by bridges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Basildon</span> Non-metropolitan district and borough in England

The Borough of Basildon is a local government district with borough status in Essex, England. It is named after its largest town, Basildon, where the council is based. The borough also includes the towns of Billericay and Wickford and surrounding rural areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rochford District</span> Non-metropolitan district in England

Rochford is a local government district in Essex, England. It is named after one of its main settlements, Rochford, where the council is based. The largest town in the district is Rayleigh. Other places in the district include Hockley, Ashingdon, Great Wakering, Canewdon and Hullbridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Chelmsford</span> City and borough in Essex, England

The City of Chelmsford is a local government district with borough and city status in Essex, England. It is named after its main settlement, Chelmsford, which is also the county town of Essex. As well as the settlement of Chelmsford itself, the district also includes the surrounding rural area and the town of South Woodham Ferrers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Brentwood</span> District in Essex, England

The Borough of Brentwood is a local government district with borough status in Essex, England. The borough is named after its main town of Brentwood, where the council is based; it includes several villages and the surrounding rural area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chafford Hundred</span> Human settlement in England

Chafford Hundred is an area in the Borough of Thurrock in the ceremonial county of Essex, England. Chafford Hundred is north-west of Grays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Ockendon</span> Human settlement in England

North Ockendon is the easternmost settlement of Greater London, England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. It is 18 miles (29 km) east-northeast of Central London and consists of a dispersed settlement within the Metropolitan Green Belt. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Essex, which was abolished for civil purposes in 1936. North Ockendon is the only inhabited area in Greater London outside the M25 London Orbital Motorway. North Ockendon is north of South Ockendon, in Thurrock, Essex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Essex</span>

Essex is a county in the East of England which originated as the ancient Kingdom of Essex and one of the seven kingdoms, or heptarchy, that went on to form the Kingdom of England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">County Borough of East Ham</span>

East Ham was a local government district in the far south west of Essex from 1878 to 1965. It extended from Wanstead Flats in the north to the River Thames in the south and from Green Street in the west to Barking Creek in the east. It was part of the London postal district and Metropolitan Police District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">County Borough of West Ham</span> Historical local government district in the extreme south west of Essex

West Ham was a local government district in the extreme south west of Essex from 1886 to 1965, forming part of the built-up area of London, although outside the County of London. It was immediately north of the River Thames and east of the River Lea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">County Borough of Southend on Sea</span>

Southend-on-Sea is a local government district around the seaside resort of Southend-on-Sea in Essex, England. Its origin was a local board formed for the parish of St John the Baptist, which had been split off from Prittlewell for ecclesiastical purposes in 1842. It was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1892. In 1889, when Essex County Council was formed, Southend-on-Sea was within the administrative county of Essex. However, through expansion in area and population by 1914 it was split off from the administrative county as a county borough. The local authority was Southend Local Board from 1886 and Southend Corporation from 1892. The corporation changed the name of the town from Southend to Southend-on-Sea in 1893. In 1974 the county borough was reconstituted as a non-metropolitan district with the same boundaries and some powers were transferred to Essex County Council. On 1 April it became a unitary authority area thus independent of Essex County Council again but still in the ceremonial county of Essex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newham London Borough Council</span> Local authority in London, England

Newham London Borough Council also known as Newham Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Newham in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 1971. It has been led by a directly elected mayor since 2002. The council meets at Newham Town Hall in East Ham and has its main offices at 1000 Dockside Road, overlooking the Royal Albert Dock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islington London Borough Council</span>

Islington London Borough Council, also known as Islington Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Islington in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in London. The council has been under Labour majority control since 2010. The council meets at Islington Town Hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thurrock Council</span> Local authority in England

Thurrock Council is the local authority for the borough of Thurrock in the ceremonial county of Essex, England. Thurrock is a unitary authority, having the powers and functions of a county council and district council combined. It is a member of the East of England Local Government Association. The council is based in Grays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southend-on-Sea City Council</span> Local authority of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England

Southend-on-Sea City Council is the local authority of the Southend-on-Sea district in Essex, England. It is a unitary authority, having the powers of a non-metropolitan county and district council combined. It is a member of the East of England Local Government Association. It is based at Southend Civic Centre in Southend-on-Sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Essex</span> Ceremonial county in the East of England

Essex is a ceremonial county in the East of England, and one of the home counties. It is bordered by Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, the North Sea to the east, Kent across the Thames Estuary to the south, Greater London to the south-west, and Hertfordshire to the west. The largest settlement is Southend-on-Sea, and the county town is Chelmsford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">County Hall, Chelmsford</span> County building in Chelmsford, Essex, England

Essex County Hall is a municipal building in Market Road, Chelmsford, Essex: it is the headquarters of Essex County Council. Blocks C and D are Grade II listed buildings.

The ceremonial county of Essex, which includes the unitary authorities of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock, has returned 18 MPs to the UK Parliament since 2010.

References

  1. ↑ Rees, Daniel (17 May 2023). "Essex Council elects new chairman Conservative Jill Reeves". Daily Gazette and Essex County Standard. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  2. ↑ Essex County Council — Councillor Map (pdf)
  3. ↑ "Essex County Council: First statutory meeting". Chelmsford Chronicle. 5 April 1889. p. 6. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  4. ↑ "Andrew Johnston: County tribute of respect". Chelmsford Chronicle. 10 March 1922. p. 2. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  5. ↑ "West Ham County Borough". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  6. ↑ "Southend-on-Sea County Borough". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  7. ↑ "East Ham County Borough". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  8. ↑ "London Government Act 1963", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1963 c. 33, retrieved 12 June 2023
  9. ↑ "Local Government Act 1972", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1972 c. 70, retrieved 12 June 2023
  10. ↑ "The Essex (Boroughs of Colchester, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock and District of Tendring) (Structural, Boundary and Electoral Changes) Order 1996", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 1996/1875, retrieved 26 May 2023
  11. ↑ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  12. ↑ "Council minutes". Essex County Council. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  13. ↑ "Councillors". Essex County Council. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  14. ↑ "The County of Essex (Electoral Changes) Order 2004", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 2004/2813, retrieved 12 June 2023
  15. ↑ "Council meetings". Essex County Council. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  16. ↑ "Forty thousand pounds for new county offices?". Chelmsford Chronicle. 3 April 1914. p. 5. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  17. ↑ "Court and social". Chelmsford Chronicle. 20 November 1931. p. 7. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  18. ↑ Historic England. "Blocks C & D, County Hall (1391892)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  19. ↑ "The County Hall". Chelmsford Chronicle. 30 September 1938. p. 9. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  20. ↑ Aitken, Rosalind (2010). Finwell House, Finsbury Square, London: Method Statement or Written Scheme of Investigation for an archaeological watching brief (PDF). London Borough of Islington. p. 5. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  21. ↑ Bettley, James; Pevsner, Nikolaus (2007). Essex (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England). Yale University Press. p. 210. ISBN   978-0300116144.
  22. ↑ "Young Essex Assembly" . Retrieved 12 June 2023.
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