Councillor Jill Reeves appointed new Chairman of Essex County Council

A new Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Essex County Council have been appointed at this year’s Annual Council Meeting.

At today’s meeting (16 May 2023) Councillor Jill Reeves was welcomed as the new Chairman supported by Councillor Ray Gooding as the new Vice-Chairman.

Councillor Reeves has been a County Councillor since 1985, representing Hadleigh Division since 2005, and before that Benfleet Division.

During this time she has served on a variety of committees including chairing Health Overview Policy and Scrutiny Committee for many years. She chairs the Member Development Steering Group and previously chaired the Scrutiny Board. Cllr Reeves has also been a member of the Development and Regulation Committee.

Cllr Reeves has been married to Richard for 43 years. She has lived in Benfleet her whole life, where the couple share their home with three Golden Retrievers.

Cllr Jill Reeves said: “It is an honour to accept the position of Chairman and I am proud to continue serving the residents and communities of Essex as the new Chairman of Essex County Council.

“We have heard today of the continuing ambitious programme set out by this County Council and I very much look forward to working alongside the Leader and Cabinet to raise the profile of the Council and the role it plays in supporting communities across the county.”

Cllr Gooding has been a councillor since 2005, representing Stansted Division since 2009. He is the Chairman of the Scrutiny Board and the People and Families Policy and Scrutiny Committee.