Point in time view as at 04/03/2025. This version of this Instrument contains provisions that are prospective.
The Essex (Electoral Changes) Order 2024 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 28 May 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Statutory Instruments
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ENGLAND
Made
13th November 2024
Coming into force in accordance with article 1(2), (3), (4), (5) and (6)
Under section 58(4) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009(1) (“the Act”) the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(2) (“the Commission”) published a report dated July 2024(3) stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for Essex. The Commission has decided to give effect to the recommendations.
A draft of the instrument has been laid before Parliament and a period of forty days has expired since the day on which it was laid and neither House has resolved that the instrument be not made.
The Commission makes the following Order in exercise of the power conferred by section 59(1) of the Act.
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(4) in [F12026].
(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.
Textual Amendments
F1Word in art. 1(3)(b) substituted (4.3.2025) by The Local Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/137), arts. 1(1), 5(1)(f)
Commencement Information
I1Art. 1 in force at 14.11.2024, see art. 1(2)
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(5).
(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.
Commencement Information
I2Art. 2 in force at 14.11.2024, see art. 1(2)
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.
Commencement Information
I3Art. 3 in force at 14.11.2024 for specified purposes, see art. 1(3)(a)
I4Art. 3 in force at 7.5.2026 in so far as not already in force (as amended by S.I. 2025/137, art. 5(1)(f)), see art. 1(3)(b)
Prospective
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.
Commencement Information
I5Art. 4 in force at 15.10.2025 for specified purposes, see art. 1(4)(a)
I6Art. 4 in force at 7.5.2026 in so far as not already in force, see art. 1(4)(b)
Prospective
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.
Commencement Information
I7Art. 5 in force at 15.10.2026 for specified purposes, see art. 1(5)(a)
I8Art. 5 in force at 6.5.2027 in so far as not already in force, see art. 1(5)(b)
Prospective
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.
Commencement Information
I9Art. 6 in force at 15.10.2027 for specified purposes, see art. 1(6)(a)
I10Art. 6 in force at 4.5.2028 in so far as not already in force, see art. 1(6)(b)
Prospective
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.
Commencement Information
I11Art. 7 in force at 15.10.2027 for specified purposes, see art. 1(6)(a)
I12Art. 7 in force at 4.5.2028 in so far as not already in force, see art. 1(6)(b)
Sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England
Ailsa Irvine
Chief Executive
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
13th November 2024
Article 3
Commencement Information
I13Sch. 1 in force at 14.11.2024 for specified purposes, see art. 1(3)(a)
I14Sch. 1 in force at 7.5.2026 in so far as not already in force (as amended by S.I. 2025/137, art. 5(1)(f)), see art. 1(3)(b)
I15Sch. 1 in force at 14.11.2024 for specified purposes, see art. 1(3)(a)
1. Billericay NorthE+W
2. BockingE+W
3. Braintree EasternE+W
4. Braintree TownE+W
5. Brentwood HuttonE+W
6. Brentwood NorthE+W
7. Brentwood RuralE+W
8. Brentwood SouthE+W
9. BrightlingseaE+W
10. Broomfield & WrittleE+W
11. Burnham & SouthminsterE+W
12. BursteadE+W
13. Canvey Island EastE+W
14. Canvey Island WestE+W
15. Castledon & CrouchE+W
16. ChelmerE+W
17. Chelmsford CentralE+W
18. Chelmsford NorthE+W
19. Chelmsford SpringfieldE+W
20. Chelmsford WestE+W
21. Chigwell & Buckhurst Hill EastE+W
22. Clacton NorthE+W
23. Clacton SouthE+W
24. Clacton West & St OsythE+W
25. Colchester AbbeyE+W
26. Colchester LexdenE+W
27. Colchester MaypoleE+W
28. Colchester NorthE+W
29. Colchester St JohnsE+W
30. ConstableE+W
31. Danbury & The HanningfieldsE+W
32. DunmowE+W
33. Epping & Theydon BoisE+W
34. Frinton & WaltonE+W
35. Gloucester ParkE+W
36. Great Baddow & GalleywoodE+W
37. HadleighE+W
38. HalsteadE+W
39. Harlow Common & Church LangleyE+W
40. Harlow NetteswellE+W
41. Harlow Parndon & ToddbrookE+W
42. Harlow South WestE+W
43. HarwichE+W
44. HedinghamE+W
45. Laindon TownE+W
46. Loughton NorthE+W
47. Loughton South & Buckhurst Hill WestE+W
48. Maldon Rural NorthE+W
49. Maldon Rural SouthE+W
50. Maldon Town & HeybridgeE+W
51. Mersea & TiptreeE+W
52. North Weald & NazeingE+W
53. Old HarlowE+W
54. Ongar & RuralE+W
55. PitseaE+W
56. Rayleigh SouthE+W
57. Rayleigh WestE+W
58. Rochford EastE+W
59. Rochford NorthE+W
60. Rochford SouthE+W
61. Saffron WaldenE+W
62. South BenfleetE+W
63. StanstedE+W
64. Stanway & Marks TeyE+W
65. TakeleyE+W
66. Tendring Rural EastE+W
67. Tendring Rural WestE+W
68. ThaxtedE+W
69. Three Fields & Great NotleyE+W
70. ThundersleyE+W
71. VangeE+W
72. Waltham AbbeyE+W
73. Westley HeightsE+W
74. Wickford East & Bowers GiffordE+W
75. Witham TownE+W
76. Witham West & RuralE+W
77. Wivenhoe St AndrewE+W
78. Woodham FerrersE+W
Prospective
Article 4
Commencement Information
I16Sch. 2 in force at 15.10.2025 for specified purposes, see art. 1(4)(a)
I17Sch. 2 in force at 7.5.2026 in so far as not already in force, see art. 1(4)(b)
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Wickford Castledon | 6 |
| Wickford Central | 3 |
| Wickford North | 7 |
| Wickford Park | 4 |
Prospective
Article 5
Commencement Information
I18Sch. 3 in force at 15.10.2026 for specified purposes, see art. 1(5)(a)
I19Sch. 3 in force at 6.5.2027 in so far as not already in force, see art. 1(5)(b)
Parish wards of the parish of Chelmsford Garden and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Central | 2 |
| East | 1 |
| North | 1 |
| South | 6 |
| South West | 3 |
Parish wards of the parish of Ramsey & Parkeston and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Hewitt Road | 2 |
| Parkeston | 4 |
| Ramsey | 5 |
Parish wards of the parish of Rayleigh and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Grange | 5 |
| King Georges | 2 |
| Lodge | 4 |
| Sweyne Park | 3 |
| Trinity | 5 |
| Victoria | 1 |
| Wheatley | 2 |
| Whitehouse | 1 |
Parish wards of the parish of Rochford and number of councillors
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| King Edmund | 4 |
| South | 3 |
| South East | 3 |
| Waterman | 2 |
Prospective
Article 6
Commencement Information
I20Sch. 4 in force at 15.10.2027 for specified purposes, see art. 1(6)(a)
I21Sch. 4 in force at 4.5.2028 in so far as not already in force, see art. 1(6)(b)
| (1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Billericay Central | 3 |
| Billericay East | 6 |
| Billericay South West | 3 |
| Billericay West | 8 |
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for Essex following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. This Order does not change the boundary of the local authority itself.
Article 3 abolishes the existing electoral divisions of Essex and replaces them with the 78 new ones listed in Schedule 1 for the purpose of elections to be held on or after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2025. It also establishes the names and areas of the new electoral divisions and the number of councillors for each.
Articles 4, 5, 6 and 7 make changes to parish wards which are consequential on the changes made by article 3. The changes to parish wards introduced by articles 4 and 5 come into force for the purpose of parish elections in 2026 and 2027 respectively, and in respect of subsequent parish elections. The changes introduced by articles 6 and 7 apply in relation to parish elections in 2028, and in respect of subsequent parish elections.
The area covered by each electoral division and parish ward created by this Order is identified on a map which is available for inspection at reasonable times at the offices of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 7th Floor, 3 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YZ.
The map may also be accessed at: https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/essex.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England was established on 1st April 2010 by section 55(1) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.
The report is available for inspection at reasonable times at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 7th Floor, 3 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YZ. It is also accessible online at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/essex.
The ordinary day of election of councillors in England is prescribed by section 37(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2), as amended by section 18(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50), renumbered by paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29), and further amended by section 6(16) of the Wales Act 2017 (c. 4).
Prints of the map are available for inspection at reasonable times at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 7th Floor, 3 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YZ. It is also accessible online at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/essex.
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. This site additionally contains content derived from EUR-Lex, reused under the terms of the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU on the reuse of documents from the EU institutions. For more information see the EUR-Lex public statement on re-use.
