Council profile
Epping Forest
District council · East of England · 54 seats in 18 wards · A third of seats elected in three years out of four · Next election 6 May 2027
The Conservatives run Epping Forest Council as a minority administration. The council has 54 councillors in 18 wards. Seats by party: Conservative 19, Other 16, Reform 12, Lib Dem 6, Labour 1. 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 (18 seats, all wards)
ShareSeats won
Reform40.7%11
Conservative26.3%4
Other11.4%3
Lib Dem9.0%0
Labour7.2%0
Green5.4%0
Next election
6 May 2027
18 of 54 seats up, elected by thirds
Largest party
Conservative 19
9 short of the 28 needed for a majority
Closest result
Independent Loughton Residents Association won by 20 votes over Reform, 7 May 2026
Latest by-election
Conservative gain from Green, 30 October 2022 (1 since 2021)
Voted Leave in 2016
63%
GB 52%
Wards
Who holds each ward
ConservativeLib DemReformOther
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 18 wards
Councillors and last results
Select a ward for its full results, candidates and last by-election.
| Ward and councillors | Last election |
|---|---|
| Buckhurst Hill East & Whitebridge James Small, Barbara Cohen, Rose Brookes | 7 May 2026 Reform 38.1% lead 4.6 pts |
| Buckhurst Hill West Smruti Patel, Ken Williamson, Bob Church | 7 May 2026 Conservative 34.5% lead 4.4 pts |
| Chigwell with Lambourne Craig McCann, Darshan Sunger, Kaz Rizvi | 7 May 2026 Conservative 51.1% lead 12.6 pts |
| Epping East Janet Whitehouse, Karen Batley, Jon Whitehouse | 7 May 2026 Reform 33.8% lead 1.5 pts |
| Epping West & Rural Razia Sharif, Mandy George, Holly Whitbread | 7 May 2026 Conservative 34.4% lead 1.1 pts |
| Grange Hill Lisa Morgan, Alan Lion, Jamie Braha | 7 May 2026 Conservative 32.6% lead 6.6 pts |
| Loughton Fairmead Natalie Wilding-Barrett, Will Kauffman, Louise Mead | 7 May 2026 Reform 40.2% lead 5.6 pts |
| Loughton Forest Roger Baldwin, Richard Cohen, Michael Owen | 7 May 2026 Independent Loughton Residents Association 44.0% lead 18.3 pts |
| Loughton Roding Stephen Murray, Chidi Nweke, Sheree Rackham | 7 May 2026 Independent Loughton Residents Association 35.8% lead 0.9 pts |
| Loughton St John's Chris Pond, Graham Wiskin, Howard Kauffman | 7 May 2026 Independent Loughton Residents Association 37.8% lead 3.2 pts |
| North Weald Bassett Nigel Bedford, Tom Bromwich, Jay Gupta | 7 May 2026 Reform 49.5% lead 19.6 pts |
| Ongar Jaymey McIvor, Mary Dadd, Annie O'Neill | 7 May 2026 Reform 57.4% lead 35.1 pts |
| Roydon & Lower Nazeing Phil Dawkins, Chris Whitbread, Richard Bassett | 7 May 2026 Reform 47.3% lead 10.0 pts |
| Rural East Raymond Balcombe, Karen McIvor, Richard Morgan | 7 May 2026 Reform 50.9% lead 17.1 pts |
| Theydon Bois with Passingford Clive Amos, Geoff Shaw, Tippy Cornish | 7 May 2026 Reform 44.8% lead 14.1 pts |
| Waltham Abbey North Martin Morris, Paul Kelleher, Jeane Lea | 7 May 2026 Reform 52.9% lead 30.3 pts |
| Waltham Abbey South & Rural Maria Markham, Steven Heather, James Abbott | 7 May 2026 Reform 50.3% lead 20.9 pts |
| Waltham Abbey West Jodie Lucas, Joseph Parsons, Josh Webb | 7 May 2026 Reform 46.8% lead 18.6 pts |
Buckhurst Hill East & Whitebridge
Barbara Cohen Independent Loughton Residents AssociationJames Small ReformRose Brookes Independent Loughton Residents Association
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Small Elected | Reform | 1,060 | 38.1% |
| Elizabeth Gabbett | Green | 932 | 33.5% |
| Joanna Farmer | Conservative | 547 | 19.7% |
| Naomi E. Davies | Lib Dem | 244 | 8.8% |
Buckhurst Hill West
Bob Church ConservativeKen Williamson ConservativeSmruti Patel Conservative
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smruti Patel Elected | Conservative | 891 | 34.5% |
| Yvonne Hrusa | Reform | 775 | 30.1% |
| Eric D. Aradeon | Green | 572 | 22.2% |
| Ish Singh | Lib Dem | 149 | 5.8% |
| Alain Laviolette | Labour | 139 | 5.4% |
| C J Ubah | Independent | 53 | 2.1% |
Chigwell with Lambourne
Craig McCann ConservativeDarshan Sunger ConservativeKaz Rizvi Conservative
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darshan Singh Sunger Elected | Conservative | 1,366 | 51.1% |
| Kieran Emery | Reform | 1,030 | 38.5% |
| Tony Casaluci | Labour | 279 | 10.4% |
Epping East
Janet Whitehouse Lib DemJon Whitehouse Lib DemKaren Batley Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Batley Elected | Reform | 1,007 | 33.8% |
| Edward Matthew Barnard | Lib Dem | 964 | 32.3% |
| Ian Roberts | Conservative | 557 | 18.7% |
| Cherry Sharon McCredie | Independent | 364 | 12.2% |
| James Murchison | Labour | 88 | 3.0% |
Epping West & Rural
Holly Whitbread ConservativeMandy George Lib DemRazia Sharif Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holly Whitbread Elected | Conservative | 986 | 34.4% |
| Andrew Smith | Reform | 954 | 33.3% |
| Alex John Frost | Lib Dem | 929 | 32.4% |
Grange Hill
Alan Lion ConservativeJamie Braha ConservativeLisa Morgan Independent
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Braha Elected | Conservative | 727 | 32.6% |
| Yair Cohen | Reform | 580 | 26.0% |
| Erika Skingsley | Independent | 379 | 17.0% |
| Syed Sadaf | Labour | 247 | 11.1% |
| Debby Rye | Independent | 158 | 7.1% |
| Richard M. Griffiths | Lib Dem | 140 | 6.3% |
Loughton Fairmead
Louise Mead Independent Loughton Residents AssociationNatalie Wilding-Barrett ReformWill Kauffman Independent Loughton Residents Association
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natalie Wilding-Barrett Elected | Reform | 837 | 40.2% |
| David J. Wixley | Independent Loughton Residents Association | 721 | 34.6% |
| Joseph Downie | Green | 246 | 11.8% |
| Tom Ayre | Labour | 148 | 7.1% |
| Shivaje Karari | Conservative | 129 | 6.2% |
Loughton Forest
Michael Owen Independent Loughton Residents AssociationRichard Cohen Independent Loughton Residents AssociationRoger Baldwin Independent Loughton Residents Association
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard H. Cohen Elected | Independent Loughton Residents Association | 1,173 | 44.0% |
| Jon Bryan | Reform | 685 | 25.7% |
| Mari-Louise Whitbread | Conservative | 424 | 15.9% |
| Hannah Lovell | Green | 208 | 7.8% |
| Elizabeth Marsh | Labour | 109 | 4.1% |
| Glenn A. Hernandez | Lib Dem | 64 | 2.4% |
| Scott Jones | Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition | 5 | 0.2% |
Loughton Roding
Chidi Nweke Independent Loughton Residents AssociationSheree Rackham Independent Loughton Residents AssociationStephen Murray Independent
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chidi Nweke Elected | Independent Loughton Residents Association | 806 | 35.8% |
| Neil Carlsson | Reform | 786 | 34.9% |
| Chris Hill | Green | 269 | 12.0% |
| Manraj Atwal | Conservative | 198 | 8.8% |
| Debbie Wild | Labour | 127 | 5.6% |
| Peter John Sinfield | Lib Dem | 63 | 2.8% |
Loughton St John's
Chris Pond Independent Loughton Residents AssociationGraham Wiskin Independent Loughton Residents AssociationHoward Kauffman Independent Loughton Residents Association
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graham Wiskin Elected | Independent Loughton Residents Association | 986 | 37.8% |
| Adam Riches | Reform | 904 | 34.6% |
| David Saunders | Conservative | 336 | 12.9% |
| Joe Fellows | Green | 215 | 8.2% |
| Alastair Smith | Labour | 108 | 4.1% |
| Ralph Cox | Lib Dem | 62 | 2.4% |
North Weald Bassett
Jay Gupta ReformNigel Bedford ConservativeTom Bromwich Independent
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jay Gupta Elected | Reform | 1,209 | 49.5% |
| Andy Irvine | Conservative | 731 | 29.9% |
| Tom Addenbrooke | Lib Dem | 316 | 12.9% |
| Ann Huish | Labour | 188 | 7.7% |
Ongar
Annie O'Neill ReformJaymey McIvor ReformMary Dadd Conservative
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annie May O'Neill Elected | Reform | 1,652 | 57.4% |
| Paul Stefan Keska | Conservative | 642 | 22.3% |
| Tony Marc Sweetman | Independent | 250 | 8.7% |
| Ron Huish | Labour | 171 | 5.9% |
| Monica Phyllis Richardson | Lib Dem | 164 | 5.7% |
Roydon & Lower Nazeing
Chris Whitbread ConservativePhil Dawkins ReformRichard Bassett Conservative
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Dawkins Elected | Reform | 1,118 | 47.3% |
| Ronda Pugsley | Conservative | 880 | 37.3% |
| Alex Drummond | Labour | 364 | 15.4% |
Rural East
Karen McIvor ReformRaymond Balcombe ConservativeRichard Morgan Conservative
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen McIvor Elected | Reform | 1,559 | 50.9% |
| John Philip | Conservative | 1,035 | 33.8% |
| Dale Walker | Labour | 388 | 12.7% |
| Robin Tilbrook | English Democrats | 78 | 2.5% |
Theydon Bois with Passingford
Clive Amos Lib DemGeoff Shaw ReformTippy Cornish Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geoff Shaw Elected | Reform | 1,249 | 44.8% |
| Sue Jones | Conservative | 856 | 30.7% |
| Rahim Hussein | Lib Dem | 548 | 19.7% |
| Christine Mortimer | Labour | 76 | 2.7% |
| William Ayrton | Independent | 58 | 2.1% |
Waltham Abbey North
Jeane Lea ConservativeMartin Morris LabourPaul Kelleher Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Kelleher Elected | Reform | 1,060 | 52.9% |
| Andrew Crowley | Conservative | 454 | 22.6% |
| Kevin Hind | Labour | 329 | 16.4% |
| Amber Badyari | Independent | 162 | 8.1% |
Waltham Abbey South & Rural
James Abbott ReformMaria Markham IndependentSteven Heather Conservative
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Abbott Elected | Reform | 1,038 | 50.3% |
| Timothy John Matthews | Conservative | 607 | 29.4% |
| Paul Tippett | Lib Dem | 218 | 10.6% |
| Sean Voitov | Labour | 201 | 9.7% |
Waltham Abbey West
Jodie Lucas ConservativeJoseph Parsons ConservativeJosh Webb Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Webb Elected | Reform | 1,019 | 46.8% |
| Fraser James MacDonald Scott | Conservative | 614 | 28.2% |
| Angela Ayre | Labour | 316 | 14.5% |
| Paul Charles Ward | Lib Dem | 228 | 10.5% |
Next election
Seats up on 6 May 2027
18 of 54 seats are up. Seats held now, by party:
Conservative 7 Other 5 Lib Dem 3 Independent 2 Reform 1
| Ward | Councillor whose term ends |
|---|---|
| Buckhurst Hill East & Whitebridge | Barbara Cohen Independent Loughton Residents Association |
| Buckhurst Hill West | Ken Williamson Conservative |
| Chigwell with Lambourne | Kaz Rizvi Conservative |
| Epping East | Jon Whitehouse Lib Dem |
| Epping West & Rural | Razia Sharif Lib Dem |
| Grange Hill | Lisa Morgan Independent |
| Loughton Fairmead | Will Kauffman Independent Loughton Residents Association |
| Loughton Forest | Michael Owen Independent Loughton Residents Association |
| Loughton Roding | Sheree Rackham Independent Loughton Residents Association |
| Loughton St John's | Howard Kauffman Independent Loughton Residents Association |
| North Weald Bassett | Nigel Bedford Conservative |
| Ongar | Jaymey McIvor Reform |
| Roydon & Lower Nazeing | Chris Whitbread Conservative |
| Rural East | Richard Morgan Conservative |
| Theydon Bois with Passingford | Tippy Cornish Lib Dem |
| Waltham Abbey North | Jeane Lea Conservative |
| Waltham Abbey South & Rural | Maria Markham Independent |
| Waltham Abbey West | Jodie Lucas Conservative |
Term end dates from Open Council Data.
By-elections
Every council by-election since 2021
1 by-election since July 2021, 1 of them gains.
| Date | Ward | Result | Winner's share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 October 2022 | Waltham Abbey South West | Conservative gain from Green |
Parliament
Parliamentary constituencies
| Constituency | Share of council | 2024 winner | Projected now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epping Forest | 78% | Conservative | Conservative 31% |
| Brentwood and Ongar | 14% | Conservative | Conservative 39% |
| Harlow | 8% | Labour | Labour 34% |
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 Epping Forest
134,985 residents in 54,554 households
Voted Leave in 2016
63% 11 above GB
Degree or higher
32% 2 below GB
No qualifications
19% 1 above GB
Own their home
70% 9 above GB
Rent from a council or housing association
15% 2 below GB
Rent privately
15% 5 below GB
Aged 15 to 34
27% 4 below GB
Aged 65 and over
24% 2 above 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
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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.