Leader of Essex County Council, Councillor Kevin Bentley, said:
"I was deeply saddened to hear the news of the very sad and untimely death of Councillor Luke Mackenzie yesterday.
"Luke had represented the Pitsea Division in Essex County Council since 2021 and had been Mayor of Basildon for the 2023/24 Municipal Year. His 38th birthday would have been next week.
"He was a highly regarded and well-liked colleague, especially by our members from Basildon Borough, and his loss will be keenly felt. He will be much-missed, and we offer our condolences to his family and friends.”
Leader of Basildon Council, Councillor Andrew Baggott said:
"It is with great sadness that I share that our dear friend and colleague, Luke Mackenzie – Mayor of Basildon and ward member for Pitsea South East, has passed away.
"Luke shocked us all when he announced his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, and his loss will be felt tremendously by members and officers across the council.
"Luke was a dedicated public servant, becoming a councillor at a very young age. He served his local community with pride as a ward councillor from 2008 to 2012, and again from 2018, as well as a county councillor from 2021.
"Luke will be remembered with great fondness, as someone who put other people first and took his responsibilities as Mayor incredibly seriously. He supported others entering the world of local politics and delivered his role with the greatest integrity.
"I speak on behalf of the whole of Basildon when I offer my sincerest condolences to Luke’s family, his loved ones and all those who had the privilege of working with him. We will miss him dearly."
An online book of condolence is available where people can pay their respects.