County council governing Essex; Reform UK majority since 2026; meets at County Hall, Chelmsford.
A wave of measures has expanded support for families as the new term begins: free school meals for all Universal Credit households, more free breakfast clubs, cheaper uniforms through branded-item limits, and thousands of extra childcare places. The changes aim to ease the financial squeeze and ensure children start classes ready to learn.
Essex County Council has announced a three-month trial to deploy private security to town centres in Braintree, Colchester and Chelmsford as migrants travel from Wethersfield to access local services. The plan expands the Wethersfield base population from about 800 to 1,220 and is part of a broader effort to end asylum hotels and move residents to alternative accommodation. The Home Office says there is no evidence of increased crime linked to migrants. Critics say the scheme is a costly political gesture.
The government has paused plans to reorganise councils in Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk after new legal advice, with elections set to proceed on existing boundaries in May 2027. The review covers 14 areas, while Surrey remains unaffected. The pause follows pressure from Reform‑led authorities and mounting legal challenges.