Reforming Essex
Delivering for residents

Reform UK is the largest political group on Essex County Council and forms the administration responsible for leading the council. We are focused on practical improvements, better value for taxpayers and restoring pride in Essex.

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A new direction for Essex

Residents across Essex voted for change – and that change is now under way.

As the administration leading Essex County Council, Reform UK is focused on delivering practical improvements that make a real difference to people’s everyday lives. That means better roads, stronger public services, support for vulnerable residents, responsible use of taxpayers’ money and renewed pride in our county.

There is much to do, but we are determined to listen, act and deliver a better future for everyone who calls Essex home.

A message from Councillor Peter Harris

It is an honour to lead Essex County Council at the beginning of an important new chapter for our county.

The people of Essex voted decisively for change and placed their trust in us to deliver it. We take that responsibility seriously. Our focus is on practical action: improving our roads, strengthening essential services, supporting our most vulnerable residents and ensuring taxpayers’ money is spent responsibly.

We have already begun the work of reforming Essex County Council, but we know that meaningful change will not happen overnight. We will listen to residents, challenge the way things have previously been done and remain firmly focused on delivering real, visible improvements across our county.

This is only the beginning. Working together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous Essex of which we can all be proud.

Councillor Peter Harris
Leader of Essex County Council

Key priorities

Better Roads and Infrastructure

Repairing more potholes, improving highways and pressing for the major transport upgrades Essex residents and businesses urgently need.

Protecting Vulnerable Residents

Strengthening adult and children’s services so vulnerable residents receive dependable support, dignity and care when they need it most.

Education and SEND

Tackling the SEND backlog, strengthening early-years support and helping every Essex child access the education and opportunities they deserve.

Stronger Communities

Restoring pride in our towns and villages, supporting veterans and working with communities to make Essex safer and stronger.

Value for Taxpayers

Challenging wasteful spending, reforming how the council operates and ensuring residents receive better value from every pound spent.

Jobs, Investment and Regeneration

Attracting new employers, supporting local businesses and unlocking investment that creates jobs, prosperity and opportunity throughout Essex.

Delivering Change Across Essex

Residents voted for change, and the new Reform administration has begun taking practical action on the issues that matter most. These are some of the first steps towards improving services, delivering better value and getting Essex back on track.

£ million

Additional investment in road repairs

Extra funding has been committed to improving highways and tackling potholes across Essex during 2026/27.

Carriageway defects repaired

More than 5,000 defects were repaired across Essex during the first quarter of 2026/27.

More road repairs completed

Repairs increased compared with the same period last year, supported by additional crews across Essex.

Library reservation fees

Charges for reserving library books have been removed, making books more accessible to residents.

See What We’re Delivering

Meet Our Leadership Team

The Reform administration brings together a team committed to delivering practical change across Essex. Meet four of the senior councillors helping to lead the council, improve essential services and ensure residents’ priorities remain at the heart of every decision.

Cllr Peter Harris

Leader of
Essex County Council

Leading the new administration and setting its overall direction, with a focus on practical reform, stronger services and delivering the change residents voted for.

Cllr Russell Quirk

Deputy Leader of
Essex County Council

Supporting the Leader and helping to drive reform across the council, with an emphasis on accountability, value for money and effective delivery.

Cllr Sue Truman

Cabinet Member for Children
and Families

Leading the council’s work for children and families, with a focus on stronger support, better outcomes and protecting those who need help most.

Cllr Bo Davis

Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services

Responsible for the council’s finances and corporate services, ensuring resources are managed carefully and directed towards the priorities of Essex residents.

Meet the Full Cabinet

Latest News

Keep up to date with the latest decisions, announcements and progress from the Reform UK administration leading Essex County Council.

Councillor Peter Harris signing the Cabinet paper confirming Essex County Council’s consent to the Greater Essex Mayoral Strategic Authority

Greater Essex moves closer to £1.2 billion devolution deal

21 October 2026

Essex County Council has given its formal consent to the creation of a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Greater Essex, moving the area closer to a potential £1.2 billion devolution deal. ...

Reform Essex graphic reporting 60% more road repairs in July, 30% more in August and 61% more in September 2026 compared with the same months in 2025.

A stronger, safer road network for Essex

7 October 2026

The latest figures shared by Reform Essex show an increase in road repairs compared with the same months last year. The update reports: July 2026: 60% more repairs than July ...

Operation Vanguard: Peter Harris responds to Braintree Council Leader

29 September 2026

Councillor Peter Harris, Leader of Essex County Council, has published an open letter responding to concerns raised by Councillor Tom Cunningham, Leader of Braintree District Council, about Operation Vanguard. The ...

Reforming Essex
Delivering for residents

A new direction for Essex

A message from Councillor Peter Harris