Following a review, Essex County Council numbers are set to increase to 78 in time for the May 2025 local election. 

A final review by The Local Government Boundary Commission outlined that there should be an increase of three single-member divisions, meaning many division boundaries across the county will change. 

The Commission's chair, Professor Colin Mellors, said: "We are very grateful to people in Essex. 

"We looked at all the views they gave us and they helped us improve our earlier proposals.

"We believe the new arrangements will deliver electoral fairness while maintaining local ties." 

A total of 171 Essex-based residents and organisations assisted with the recommendations.

The Local Government Boundary Commission is an independent body from parliament which aims to: "Deliver fair electoral and boundary arrangements for English councils".

The Commission's goal was to ensure Essex councillors a similar number of electors. With the new recommendations, each division will represent an average of 15,848 electors. 

Seven divisions will be more than 10% away from the average, 23 less than before.

Essex County Council had not previously been reviewed since 2004. 

The Recommendations will become law once Parliament has approved them. 

Readers can learn more about the full report and what it means for them here.