[1] Before the election a coalition between the 26 Liberal Democrats, 7 Labour and 3 independents ran the council, while the 23 Conservatives were in opposition.

[4] Only one seat changed hands at the election, with Labour's Chris Pearson gaining Berechurch from the Liberal Democrats.

[5] Meanwhile, the UK Independence Party picked up 16% of the vote, coming second in 9 wards, but failed to take any seats.

[5] Following the election, councillor Laura Sykes left the Liberal Democrats and joined the Highwoods Independent group on the council (renamed to Highwoods & Stanway Independents), after a long-standing dispute with another Liberal Democrat councillor.

A by-election was held in Wivenhoe Quay on 3 July 2014 following the death of Labour councillor Steve Ford.