List of civil parishes in Essex facts for kids

A civil parish is a local area in England that has its own local government, called a parish council or a parish meeting. Think of it like a small community with its own local leaders who help manage things like local parks, community halls, and footpaths.

In the county of Essex, which is in England, there are 307 civil parishes. However, not all areas in Essex have a civil parish. Some larger towns and cities, like Thurrock, Harlow, and parts of Colchester and Chelmsford, do not have them. This means that local services in those areas are managed by the larger district or borough councils instead.

What is a Civil Parish?

A civil parish is the smallest type of local government area in England. It's a way for local communities to have a say in how their immediate area is run. Each parish has a council, made up of local people, who work together to improve their community.

What do Parish Councils do?

Parish councils are responsible for many local services. They might look after village greens, play areas, public benches, and even some street lighting. They also have a voice in planning decisions that affect their area. This helps make sure that local people's opinions are heard when new buildings or projects are planned.

Civil Parishes in Essex

Essex has a wide variety of civil parishes, from small villages to larger towns. The number of people living in these parishes can be very different. For example, some parishes have only a few dozen residents, while others, like Canvey Island, have tens of thousands!

Areas Without Parishes

Some parts of Essex are called "unparished." This means they don't have a civil parish council. These areas are usually larger towns or cities where the main district or borough council handles all local services directly.

Here are some examples of unparished areas in Essex:

• Thurrock
• Benfleet
• Harlow
• Clacton
• Parts of Basildon
• Parts of Braintree
• Parts of Brentwood
• Parts of Colchester
• Parts of Chelmsford
• Parts of Southend-on-Sea

How Parishes are Governed

Most civil parishes have their own parish council. However, some smaller parishes might share a council with nearby villages. For instance, Salcott, Virley, Peldon, and Great and Little Wigborough are all managed by the Winstred Hundred Parish Council. Similarly, Abberton and Langenhoe share the Abberton and Langenhoe Parish Council. This helps smaller communities work together efficiently.

Historical Changes to Parishes

Over time, the boundaries of parishes can change. For example, three parishes that used to be in Essex – Heydon, Great Chishill, and Little Chishill – were moved to Cambridgeshire in 1895. These changes happen to make local government work better and to match how communities have grown or changed.

See also

• List of civil parishes in England
• The Hundred Parishes - a grouping of parishes in NW Essex, NE Herts and southern Cambridgeshire