The 2026 Basildon Borough Council election took place on 7 May 2026 to elect members of Basildon Borough Council in Essex, England. This was on the same day as other local elections.
Prior to the election, the council was under no overall control, being led by Labour with support from some of the independent councillors. Reform UK won eleven of the fourteen seats being contested at this election, but the council remained under no overall control. A Conservative minority administration subsequently formed with support from Reform UK, who were not included in the administration but were given the mayoralty and a number of committee chairmanships. Conservative group leader Andy Barnes was formally appointed as the new leader of the council at the subsequent annual council meeting on 21 May 2026.
Basildon Borough Council is soon to be abolished under the plans of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill and will be merged with Thurrock Council to form a new South West Essex Unitary Authority.
Summary
Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats 18 16 13 13 5 4 0 1 6 8 Changes 2024–2026: April 2025: David Harrison (Wickford Independents) dies – by-election held June 2025 June 2025: Sarah-Jane Shields (Reform) gains by-election from Wickford Independents Maryam Yaqub (Labour) resigns – by-election held July 2025 Ben Westwick (Labour) suspended from party July 2025: Sam Journet (Reform) gains by-election from Labour March 2026: Sarah Shields leaves Reform and continues to serve as an independent
Election result
Candidates by party
Incumbents
Ward Incumbent councillorParty Re-standing Billericay East Martyn Mordecai Yes Billericay West Daniel Lawrence Yes Burstead Kevin Blake Yes Castledon & Crouch Stuart Allen No Fryerns Allan Davies No Laindon Park Terry Webb Yes, in different ward Langdon Hills Walter Brown Yes Lee Chapel North Aidan McGurran No Nethermayne Eddie Murphy Yes Pitsea North West Pat Reid Yes Pitsea South East Ben Westwick No St Martins Sam Journet Yes Wickford North Trevor Hammond Yes Wickford Park Sarah-Jane Shields Yes
Results by ward Billericay East
Billericay West
Burstead
Castledon & Crouch
Fryerns
Laindon Park
Langdon Hills
Lee Chapel North
Nethermayne
Pitsea North West
Pitsea South East
St Martin's
Wickford North
Wickford Park
References