As of May 2024, the Council has been operating under a Committee system of governance. Under this arrangement, the Council is divided into politically balanced Committees that make decisions. At its Annual Meeting, the Council appointed the following Committees:-
Audit & Governance Committee
Chairman: Cllr N J Booth
Vice-Chairman: Cllr I H Ward
Senior Officers Employment and Disciplinary Joint Committee
No Chair or Vice-Chairman
Essex Countywide Traveller Unit Joint Committee
No Chair or Vice-Chairman
South Essex Councils (SEC) Joint Committee
No Chair or Vice-Chairman
South Essex Parking Partnership Joint Committee
No Chair or Vice-Chairman
Communities, Wellbeing & Housing Committee
Chairman: Cllr M J Webb
Vice-Chairman: Cllr Miss A D Marriott
Development Committee:
Chairman: Cllr A H Eves
Vice-Chairman: Cllr M J Steptoe
Economic Development, Regeneration & Tourism Committee
Chairman: Cllr D S Efde
Vice-Chairman: Cllr I C Wilson
Environment & Climate Change Committee
Chairman: Cllr R P Constable
Vice-Chairman: Cllr P Capon
Licensing & Regulatory Committee
Chairman: Cllr A L Williams
Vice-Chairman: Cllr I C Wilson
Licensing and Regulatory Sub Committee
The Chairman of the sub-committee will be a member of the Licensing Committee.
Planning Policy Committee
Chairman: Cllr S E Wootton
Vice-Chairman: Cllr G W Myers
Scrutiny Committee
Chairman: Cllr R Milne
Vice-Chairman: Cllr N J Booth
Strategy, Finance & Policy Committee
Chairman: Cllr D L Belton
Vice-Chairman: Cllr Mrs V A Wilson
Standards Sub Committee
Chairman: Cllr A H Eves
Vice-Chairman: Cllr I H Ward
Each Committee has its own specific area of responsibility and it will have a fixed membership. Members who serve on these Committees will receive training and briefings over time so that they are able to make well informed decisions that are made by the whole Committee and not individually.