Council profile
Colchester
District council · East of England · 51 seats in 17 wards · A third of seats elected in three years out of four · Next election 6 May 2027
Colchester Council is run by a Conservative / Liberal Democrats coalition. The council has 51 councillors in 17 wards. Seats by party: Conservative 18, Lib Dem 12, Labour 9, Reform 5, Other 4, Green 3. The next election is on 6 May 2027.
The government withdrew its plan to reorganise councils in Greater Essex on 7 September 2026. Elections due in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries. Source
Control
Seats by party
Vote share at the 7 May 2026 election (17 seats, all wards)
ShareSeats won
Reform29.3%5
Conservative21.2%5
Lib Dem18.8%3
Green15.7%1
Labour14.3%3
Other0.8%0
Next election
6 May 2027
17 of 51 seats up, elected by thirds
Largest party
Conservative 18
8 short of the 26 needed for a majority
Voted Leave in 2016
54%
GB 52%
Wards
Who holds each ward
LabourConservativeLib DemReformGreenIndependent
Under 5 pts5 to 1010 to 20Over 20No contest data
Winning margin at the last election, in points.
Coloured by the party holding most of the ward's seats today; where seats are split evenly, by the party with the higher share at the last election.
All 17 wards
Councillors and last results
Select a ward for its full results, candidates and last by-election.
| Ward and councillors | Last election |
|---|---|
| Berechurch Martyn Warnes, Dave Harris, Chris Pearson | 7 May 2026 Labour 37.7% lead 0.2 pts |
| Castle Kemal Cufoglu, Amy Kirkby-Taylor, Mark Goacher | 7 May 2026 Green 43.9% lead 23.7 pts |
| Greenstead Daryl Swain, Julie Young, Tim Young | 7 May 2026 Reform 35.0% lead 4.6 pts |
| Highwoods Simon Appleton, Sue Ettritch, Alison Jay | 7 May 2026 Reform 28.2% lead 3.8 pts |
| Lexden & Braiswick Sara Naylor, Lewis Barber, Sara Naylor | 7 May 2026 Conservative 45.0% lead 19.8 pts |
| Marks Tey & Layer Kevin Bentley, Andrew Ellis, Andrew Harding | 7 May 2026 Reform 38.1% lead 5.1 pts |
| Mersea & Pyefleet Martin Parsons, Carl Powling, Robert Davidson | 7 May 2026 Conservative 38.2% lead 2.5 pts |
| Mile End Martin Goss, Venessa Moffat, David King | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 50.4% lead 29.3 pts |
| New Town & Christ Church Richard Bourne, Kayleigh Rippingale, Sam McLean | 7 May 2026 Labour 32.4% lead 9.1 pts |
| Old Heath & The Hythe Fay Smalls, Lee Scordis, Michael Lilley | 7 May 2026 Labour 40.3% lead 8.6 pts |
| Prettygate Leigh Tate, David Linghorn-Baker, Sue Lissimore | 7 May 2026 Conservative 36.5% lead 11.7 pts |
| Rural North Darius Laws, Thomas Rowe, William Sunnucks | 7 May 2026 Conservative 42.2% lead 10.5 pts |
| Shrub End Claire Osborne, James Child, Sam McCarthy | 7 May 2026 Reform 34.0% lead 3.2 pts |
| St Anne's & St John's Natalie Sommers, Catherine Spindler, Paul Smith | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 46.8% lead 10.9 pts |
| Stanway Lesley Scott-Boutell, Jeremy Hagon, Mike Saunders | 7 May 2026 Reform 32.8% lead 10.7 pts |
| Tiptree Rhys Smithson, Will Calverley, Paul Dundas | 7 May 2026 Conservative 38.7% lead 1 vote |
| Wivenhoe Mark Cory, Andrea Vaughan, Sean Kelly | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 46.3% lead 13.7 pts |
Berechurch
Chris Pearson IndependentDave Harris LabourMartyn Warnes Independent
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martyn Warnes Elected | Labour | 952 | 37.7% |
| Max Maxwell | Reform | 947 | 37.5% |
| Patrick Guy Merienne | Green | 269 | 10.7% |
| Chris Piggott | Conservative | 211 | 8.4% |
| Crystelle Rollo-Hislop | Lib Dem | 146 | 5.8% |
Castle
Amy Kirkby-Taylor GreenKemal Cufoglu GreenMark Goacher Green
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amy Kirkby-Taylor Elected | Green | 1,507 | 43.9% |
| Susan Mary Jennings | Reform | 695 | 20.2% |
| Richard Martin | Conservative | 432 | 12.6% |
| Laura Philpin | Labour | 409 | 11.9% |
| Martin Gillingham | Lib Dem | 391 | 11.4% |
Greenstead
Daryl Swain ReformJulie Young LabourTim Young Labour
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daryl Swain Elected | Reform | 899 | 35.0% |
| Elizabeth Alake-Akinyemi | Labour | 781 | 30.4% |
| Lisa Jane Cross | Green | 393 | 15.3% |
| Ronnie Achille | Conservative | 268 | 10.4% |
| Daniel Ribton | Lib Dem | 224 | 8.7% |
Highwoods
Alison Jay Lib DemSimon Appleton Lib DemSue Ettritch Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sue Ettritch Elected | Reform | 842 | 28.2% |
| Mark Jenkins | Lib Dem | 727 | 24.4% |
| Jocelyn Emma Law | Labour | 674 | 22.6% |
| Angus Allan | Conservative | 436 | 14.6% |
| Alison Dyvig | Green | 306 | 10.3% |
Last by-election, 21 September 2023
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Appleton Elected | Lib Dem | 563 | 39.4% |
| Gary David Braddy | Labour | 447 | 31.3% |
| Paul Thomson Smith | Conservative | 418 | 29.3% |
Lexden & Braiswick
Lewis Barber ConservativeSara Naylor ConservativeSara Naylor Conservative
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sara Jane Naylor Elected | Conservative | 1,706 | 45.0% |
| Keith Charles Coomber | Reform | 956 | 25.2% |
| James Robert David Jefferies | Green | 453 | 12.0% |
| Jacqui Morley | Lib Dem | 366 | 9.7% |
| Paul Ojo | Labour | 309 | 8.2% |
Last by-election, 28 July 2022
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sara Jane Naylor Elected | Conservative | 1,372 | 63.7% |
| Kieron Franks | Lib Dem | 621 | 28.8% |
| Catherine Bickersteth | Labour | 161 | 7.5% |
Marks Tey & Layer
Andrew Ellis ConservativeAndrew Harding ReformKevin Bentley Conservative
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Patrick Harding Elected | Reform | 1,452 | 38.1% |
| Jackie MacLean | Conservative | 1,257 | 33.0% |
| Berthold Lausen | Green | 482 | 12.7% |
| Mark John Hull | Lib Dem | 354 | 9.3% |
| Wayne Tearle | Labour | 263 | 6.9% |
Mersea & Pyefleet
Carl Powling ConservativeMartin Parsons ConservativeRobert Davidson Conservative
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Alec Davidson Elected | Conservative | 1,573 | 38.2% |
| Christopher Paul Perera | Reform | 1,468 | 35.7% |
| Heidi Cornish | Green | 597 | 14.5% |
| John Micheal Knight | Lib Dem | 254 | 6.2% |
| Natalie Eldred | Labour | 225 | 5.5% |
Mile End
David King Lib DemMartin Goss Lib DemVenessa Moffat Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| David King Elected | Lib Dem | 1,912 | 50.4% |
| Flavia Popescu-Richardson | Reform | 800 | 21.1% |
| Amanda Jane Kirke | Green | 470 | 12.4% |
| Marianne Andersen | Conservative | 350 | 9.2% |
| Pauline Bacon | Labour | 264 | 7.0% |
New Town & Christ Church
Kayleigh Rippingale LabourRichard Bourne LabourSam McLean Independent
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kayleigh Rippingale Elected | Labour | 1,249 | 32.4% |
| Andrew Canessa | Green | 899 | 23.3% |
| Andrew Eddy | Reform | 746 | 19.3% |
| Annesley Hardy | Conservative | 467 | 12.1% |
| Alan Mathias | Lib Dem | 459 | 11.9% |
| Ian Partridge | Independent | 39 | 1.0% |
Last by-election, 23 October 2025
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard William Bourne Elected | Labour | 800 | 29.7% |
| Chantelle Whyborn | Lib Dem | 657 | 24.4% |
| James Child | Reform | 600 | 22.3% |
| Alex Elizabeth McCormick | Green | 401 | 14.9% |
| Angus Allan | Conservative | 200 | 7.4% |
| Ian Partridge | Independent | 38 | 1.4% |
Old Heath & The Hythe
Fay Smalls LabourLee Scordis LabourMichael Lilley Labour
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Paul Scordis Elected | Labour | 1,351 | 40.3% |
| Simon Hughes | Reform | 1,063 | 31.7% |
| Alyssa Katherine Carrington | Green | 566 | 16.9% |
| Andrew John Higginson | Conservative | 221 | 6.6% |
| Jenny Stevens | Lib Dem | 154 | 4.6% |
Prettygate
David Linghorn-Baker ConservativeLeigh Tate ConservativeSue Lissimore Conservative
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Linghorn-Baker Elected | Conservative | 1,350 | 36.5% |
| Sophie Almina Preston-Hall | Reform | 918 | 24.8% |
| John Loxley | Lib Dem | 728 | 19.7% |
| Stella Eldon | Green | 380 | 10.3% |
| Chris Coates | Labour | 322 | 8.7% |
Rural North
Darius Laws ConservativeThomas Rowe ConservativeWilliam Sunnucks Conservative
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| William D'Urban Sunnucks Elected | Conservative | 1,847 | 42.2% |
| Graham Wilson | Reform | 1,385 | 31.7% |
| Alex Elizabeth McCormick | Green | 450 | 10.3% |
| Karen Dawn Maxwell | Lib Dem | 375 | 8.6% |
| Gary David Braddy | Labour | 315 | 7.2% |
Shrub End
Claire Osborne LabourJames Child ReformSam McCarthy Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Child Elected | Reform | 937 | 34.0% |
| Mick Spindler | Lib Dem | 850 | 30.8% |
| Cameron Hope | Labour | 333 | 12.1% |
| Robert Charles Brannan | Green | 321 | 11.6% |
| Bevan Waghorn | Conservative | 316 | 11.5% |
St Anne's & St John's
Catherine Spindler Lib DemNatalie Sommers Lib DemPaul Smith Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Smith Elected | Lib Dem | 1,576 | 46.8% |
| Dean Dasley | Reform | 1,208 | 35.9% |
| Sebastian Dwyer | Green | 333 | 9.9% |
| Christine Dale | Labour | 250 | 7.4% |
Stanway
Jeremy Hagon ConservativeLesley Scott-Boutell IndependentMike Saunders Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Saunders Elected | Reform | 995 | 32.8% |
| Amir William Anbouche | Lib Dem | 671 | 22.1% |
| Cody Jon Butler | Conservative | 470 | 15.5% |
| Lizzie Bolton | Independent | 402 | 13.3% |
| Clare Smee | Green | 266 | 8.8% |
| John Spademan | Labour | 228 | 7.5% |
Tiptree
Paul Dundas ConservativeRhys Smithson ConservativeWill Calverley Conservative
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhys Smithson Elected | Conservative | 1,364 | 38.7% |
| Aimee Louise Keteca | Reform | 1,363 | 38.7% |
| Lewis David Burn | Green | 359 | 10.2% |
| Barry Gilheany | Labour | 224 | 6.4% |
| Sue Waite | Lib Dem | 214 | 6.1% |
Last by-election, 20 February 2025
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will Calverley Elected | Conservative | 1,089 | 55.3% |
| Patricia Teresa Harrison | Reform | 567 | 28.8% |
| John Spademan | Labour | 167 | 8.5% |
| Patrick Guy Merienne | Green | 81 | 4.1% |
| Jenny Stevens | Lib Dem | 66 | 3.4% |
Wivenhoe
Andrea Vaughan Lib DemMark Cory Lib DemSean Kelly Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrea Luxford Vaughan Elected | Lib Dem | 1,548 | 46.3% |
| Cecily Hope Spelling | Green | 1,092 | 32.6% |
| Leighton Lee James Sealeaf | Reform | 418 | 12.5% |
| Zac Heskins | Labour | 173 | 5.2% |
| Christopher Leslie Frank Thompson | Conservative | 116 | 3.5% |
Councillors
Changed party since the election
1 councillor now sit for a different party from the one they were elected for.
| Ward | Councillor | Elected as | Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berechurch | Martyn Warnes | Labour 2026 | Independent |
Next election
Seats up on 6 May 2027
17 of 51 seats are up. Seats held now, by party:
Conservative 6 Lib Dem 5 Independent 3 Labour 2 Green 1
| Ward | Councillor whose term ends |
|---|---|
| Berechurch | Chris Pearson Independent |
| Castle | Mark Goacher Green |
| Greenstead | Tim Young Labour |
| Highwoods | Alison Jay Lib Dem |
| Lexden & Braiswick | Sara Naylor Conservative |
| Marks Tey & Layer | Andrew Ellis Conservative |
| Mersea & Pyefleet | Carl Powling Conservative |
| Mile End | Venessa Moffat Lib Dem |
| New Town & Christ Church | Sam McLean Independent |
| Old Heath & The Hythe | Fay Smalls Labour |
| Prettygate | Sue Lissimore Conservative |
| Rural North | Thomas Rowe Conservative |
| Shrub End | Sam McCarthy Lib Dem |
| St Anne's & St John's | Natalie Sommers Lib Dem |
| Stanway | Lesley Scott-Boutell Independent |
| Tiptree | Paul Dundas Conservative |
| Wivenhoe | Mark Cory Lib Dem |
Term end dates from Open Council Data.
By-elections
Every council by-election since 2021
5 by-elections since July 2021, 3 of them gains.
| Date | Ward | Result | Winner's share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 October 2025 | New Town & Christ Church | Labour hold | 29.7% |
| 20 February 2025 | Tiptree | Conservative hold | 55.3% |
| 29 September 2023 | Highwoods | Lib Dem gain from Labour | |
| 8 December 2022 | Highwoods | Labour gain from Independent | |
| 28 July 2022 | Lexden and Braiswick | Conservative gain from Independent | 63.7% |
Parliament
Parliamentary constituencies
| Constituency | Share of council | 2024 winner | Projected now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colchester | 61% | Labour | Labour 32% |
| Harwich and North Essex | 25% | Conservative | Conservative 33% |
| Witham | 14% | Conservative | Conservative 36% |
Share of the council: the proportion of its census neighbourhoods (2021 LSOAs) in each seat. The projection is PollCheck's demographic model at current polling, not a forecast.
People
Who lives in Colchester
192,725 residents in 79,727 households
Voted Leave in 2016
54% 2 above GB
Degree or higher
32% 2 below GB
No qualifications
15% 3 below GB
Own their home
65% 4 above GB
Rent from a council or housing association
13% 4 below GB
Rent privately
22% 2 above GB
Aged 15 to 34
32% 1 above GB
Aged 65 and over
22% same as GB
GB figure. 2021 Census (Scotland: 2022): age as a share of residents aged 15 and over, qualifications of residents aged 16 and over, housing as a share of households. Leave: 2016 EU referendum, Electoral Commission results by counting area.
Similar
Councils most like this one
RunnymedeLabour / Liberal Democrats / Independent Coalition (Minority)CherwellLiberal Democrats / Green / Independent CoalitionLancasterGreen / Liberal Democrats / Independent CoalitionWorcesterLabour (Minority)CanterburyLabour (Minority)
Closest on the measures above: the 2016 Leave vote, age, qualifications and housing. Maps show which party holds each ward.
Sources
Sources and method
Seat totals and control: PollCheck council control tracker. Councillors: Open Council Data (CC BY-SA 4.0). Election results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), with some vote counts from DCLEAPIL, Leman (2025) (CC BY-SA 4.0), and corrections checked against councils' official declarations. Ward boundaries: Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Census: Office for National Statistics and National Records of Scotland.
Councillor lists and DCLEAPIL-derived vote counts on this page are available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
In wards electing more than one councillor, a party's share counts only its leading candidate (the Rallings and Thrasher method). Independents count individually. The lead is the gap between the top two parties' shares.