2026 Rochford District Council election
7 May 2026
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13 out of 39 seats to Rochford District Council 20 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2026 Rochford District Council election will be held on 7 May 2026 to elect member of Rochford District Council in Essex, England.[1] This will be on the same day as other local elections.
Due to ongoing local government reorganisation, this will be the final election to Rochford District Council before it is abolished and replaced by a successor unitary authority. Elections to the successor authority are due to take place in 2027.
Summary
Background
In 2024, the council remained under no overall control.[2] The Liberal Democrats were the largest party.[3]
Election result
| 2026 Rochford District Council election | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | This election | Full council | This election | |||||||
| Seats | Net | Seats % | Other | Total | Total % | Votes | Votes % | +/− | ||
| Independent | 9 | |||||||||
| Conservative | 7 | |||||||||
| Liberal Democrats | 5 | |||||||||
| Rochford Resident | 5 | |||||||||
| Green | 0 | |||||||||
| Labour | 0 | |||||||||
| Reform UK | 0 | |||||||||
Incumbents
| Ward | Incumbent councillor | Party | Re-standing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downhall & Rawreth | Chris Stanley | Liberal Democrats | ||
| Foulness & The Wakerings | Jo McPherson[c] | Independent | ||
| Hawkwell East | Deborah Squires-Coleman | Rochford Resident | ||
| Hawkwell West | Julie Gooding[c] | Independent | ||
| Hockley | John Mason | Rochford Resident | ||
| Hockley & Ashingdon | Danielle Belton | Conservative | ||
| Hullbridge | Stuart Wilson[d] | Independent | ||
| Lodge | Richard Lambourne[e] | Independent | ||
| Roche North & Rural | Laureen Shaw | Conservative | ||
| Roche South | Mike Steptoe | Conservative | ||
| Sweyne Park & Grange | Vilma Wilson | Rochford Resident | ||
| Trinity | David Sharp | Liberal Democrats | ||
| Wheatley | Andrew Cross | Liberal Democrats | ||
Candidates
References
- ^ Michael Hoy was leader of the Non-Aligned group (6 seats), Richard Linden was leader of the Associated Independents group (4 seats), and Arthur Williams was leader of the Rochford, Foulness & Wakering Independents group (3 seats).
- ^ Conservative–Rochford District Residents–Independent coalition.
- ^ a b Originally elected as a Conservative, but subsequently left the party to sit as an Independent.
- ^ Originally elected as a Green, but subsequently left the party to sit as an Independent.
- ^ Originally elected as a Rochford District Resident, but subsequently left the party to sit as an Independent.
- ^ "Upcoming Elections". Rochford Council. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ^ Lee, Matt (3 May 2024). "Rochford local election results as council remains in political limbo". Essex Live. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ^ "Rochford result - Local Elections 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 30 January 2026.