While the party held on to six councils, it lost control of one it had led for almost 20 years.
Read moreRochford District Council
2021 Conservative hold, from 2019
Rochford scoreboard
Counting complete. After 15 of 15 seats declared.
Change compared with 2019
Conservative
- Councillors elected in 2021 total 9
- Councillors elected in 2021 change +2
- Councillors overall total 27
Residents' Association
- Councillors elected in 2021 total 4
- Councillors elected in 2021 change +1
- Councillors overall total 6
Liberal Democrat
- Councillors elected in 2021 total 1
- Councillors elected in 2021 change 0
- Councillors overall total 3
Independent
- Councillors elected in 2021 total 1
- Councillors elected in 2021 change 0
- Councillors overall total 2
Green
- Councillors elected in 2021 total 0
- Councillors elected in 2021 change -2
- Councillors overall total 1
UK Independence Party
- Councillors elected in 2021 total 0
- Councillors elected in 2021 change -1
- Councillors overall total 0
Rochford District Council: Conservative hold
Copyright: GoogleConservatives have held onto control of Rochford District Council.
Long-serving county councillor dies of coronavirus
BBC Essex
The family of Terry Cutmore, who represented Rochford North on Essex County Council, has confirmed he has died of coronavirus.
He was described as a "generous, clever, witty man and a loving father".
Copyright: BBCCouncil leader David Finch described Mr Cutmore as "extremely well-liked" - and a man who was "committed to serving his residents".
MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, Mark Francois, said Mr Cutmore would be "sorely missed", especially at Rochford District Council which he had led for 15 years.
Almost 800 spoiled papers in Basildon
Doug Faulkner
BBC News Online
Hundreds of ballot papers were rejected across Essex with many people making their feelings on Brexit and politics in general known by spoiling their papers.
Basildon Council saw 794 papers rejected while more than 280 were spoiled in Rochford.
Some voters have said they spoilt their ballots in protest against the government handling of Brexit and the lack of a party to represent them.
If you are joining us: Conservatives lose big in Essex
Doug Faulkner
BBC News Online
The Conservatives have lost control of four councils across Essex.
Chelmsford City Council was the scene of the biggest surprise. The Lib Dems overturned a 45-seat majority to take over the authority.
Southend, Basildon and Tendring fell to no overall control, while Thurrock and Colchester also remained without an outright majority.
There were Conservative holds in Castle Point, Maldon, Epping, Rochford, Brentwood and Braintree.
Harlow stayed under Labour control.
Copyright: BBCRochford District Council: Conservative hold
The Conservatives have retained control of Rochford District Council with several early holds and a gain in Roche North and Rural.
The party started the day with 26 of 39 seats.
Polling under way for local elections
Andrew Sinclair
BBC Look East political correspondent
Polling has begun for elections for some district and unitary councils in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.
Across the country, 150 local authorities are electing new councillors, and there are six mayoral contests.
Copyright: BBCCouncils holding elections here are:
- Cambridgeshire: Cambridge City and Peterborough City
- Essex: Colchester Borough, Basildon District, Harlow, Brentwood Borough, Castle Point Borough, Rochford District and Southend Borough
- Norfolk: Great Yarmouth Borough and Norwich City
- Suffolk: Ipswich Borough
In most places, a third of seats are being contested.
Polling stations close at 22:00 and BBC East will be providing live online coverage afterwards.
Video content
Video caption: Fly-tipped road in Battlesbridge causes 'hour-long' delays It was the second time in a year that the road was covered in rubbish.