Braintree District is a local government district in Essex, England. The district is named after the town of Braintree, where the council is based. The district also includes the towns of Halstead and Witham and surrounding rural areas.
The neighbouring districts are Colchester, Maldon, Chelmsford, Uttlesford, South Cambridgeshire, West Suffolk, and Babergh.
History The district was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 as one of 14 districts within Essex. The new district covered the area of five former districts, which were all abolished at the same time: Braintree and Bocking Urban District Braintree Rural District Halstead Rural District Halstead Urban District Witham Urban District The new district was named Braintree, after the area's largest town.
Witham was originally planned to be in Maldon district, it was later decided to place it in Braintree district.
In March 2026, the government announced that it would abolish the district in 2028 as part of local government reform across Essex. These proposals were withdrawn in September 2026.
Governance
Braintree District Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Essex County Council. Much of the district is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.
Political control The council has been under Conservative control since 2007.
The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows: (Put "Braintree" in search box to see specific results.) Party in controlYears 1974–1976 1976–1979 1979–1995 1995–2003 2003–2007 2007–present
Leadership The leaders of the council since 1995 have been: Councillor Party From To John Gyford 1995 9 Oct 2000 Ian Pointon 9 Oct 2000 May 2003 David Finch 21 May 2003 28 Apr 2004 Graham Butland 28 Apr 2004 28 May 2026 Tom Cunningham 28 May 2026
Composition Following the 2023 election, and a subsequent change of allegiance in February 2025, the composition of the council was:
Party Councillors 29 9 4 3 3Total49 The Greens and seven of the independent councillors sit together as the "Independent and Green Group".
Premises The council has its headquarters at Causeway House on Bocking End in Braintree. The building was purpose-built for the council and opened in 1981.Plaque in building's porch reads: "This building was opened on 25th April 1981 by Councillor R. E. W. Hawkins / Chairman, Braintree District Council / Chief Executive P. W. Cotton / Project Manager D. J. Brisley"
Elections
Since the last full review of boundaries in 2015, the council has comprised 49 councillors representing 26 wards, with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.
Wards The wards are:
Bocking Blackwater Bocking North Bocking South Braintree Central & Beckers Green Braintree South Braintree West Bumpstead Coggeshall Gosfield & Greenstead Green Great Notley & Black Notley Halstead St Andrew's Halstead Trinity Hatfield Peverel & Terling Hedingham Kelvedon & Feering Rayne Silver End and Cressing Stour Valley North Stour Valley South The Colnes Three Fields Witham Central Witham North Witham South Witham West Yeldham
Towns and parishes
There are 63 civil parishes in the district. The former Braintree and Bocking Urban District, covering the town of Braintree itself, is an unparished area. The parish councils for Halstead and Witham are styled "town councils".
Arms
References
External links
Enjoy Braintree District; places to stay, arts, museum, culture events listing by the Braintree Council Braintree District Council