1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Essex (Electoral Changes) Order 2024.
(2) This article and article 2 come into force on the day after the day on which this Order is made.
(3) Article 3 comes into force—
(a)for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on the day after the day on which this Order is made;
(b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England(1) in 2025.
(4) Article 4 comes into force—
(a)for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2025;
(b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026.
(5) Article 5 comes into force—
(a)for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2026;
(b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027.
(6) Articles 6 and 7 come into force—
(a)for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2027;
(b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2028.
(7) This Order extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.
2.—(1) In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Essex (Electoral Changes) Order 2024”, held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(2).
(2) Where a boundary is shown on the map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse or similar geographical feature, it is to be treated as running along the centre line of the feature.
3.—(1) The existing electoral divisions of Essex are abolished.
(2) Essex is divided into the 78 electoral divisions listed in Schedule 1.
(3) Each electoral division comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the electoral division.
(4) The number of councillors to be elected for each electoral division is 1.
4.—(1) The existing parish wards of the parish of Wickford are abolished.
(2) The parish of Wickford is divided into the four parish wards listed in the first column of the table in Schedule 2.
(3) Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
(4) The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of the table in Schedule 2.
5.—(1) The existing parish wards of the parishes of Chelmsford Garden, Ramsey & Parkeston, Rayleigh and Rochford are abolished.
(2) The parish of Chelmsford Garden is divided into the five parish wards listed in the first column of Table 1 in Schedule 3.
(3) The parish of Ramsey & Parkeston is divided into the three parish wards listed in the first column of Table 2 in Schedule 3.
(4) The parish of Rayleigh is divided into the eight parish wards listed in the first column of Table 3 in Schedule 3.
(5) The parish of Rochford is divided into the four parish wards listed in the first column of Table 4 in Schedule 3.
(6) Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
(7) The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of the relevant table in Schedule 3.
6.—(1) The existing parish wards of the parish of Billericay are abolished.
(2) The parish of Billericay is divided into the four parish wards listed in the first column of the table in Schedule 4.
(3) Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
(4) The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that parish ward in the second column of the table in Schedule 4.
7.—(1) The parish of Epping Upland is divided into two parish wards, namely—
(a)Epping Green, which has six councillors; and
(b)Pond Field, which has one councillor.
(2) Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
Sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England
Name
Chief Executive
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
Date