[a] Historically, the entire ceremonial county of Essex was administered by Essex County Council in a two-tier system with lower tier district councils.

This system continues in most of the county today, but in 1998 the districts of Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea were granted unitary authority status, making them administratively independent from the county council.

[5][6] In 2012, the elected county-wide position of Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner was introduced.

[b] The three upper-tier authorities of Essex have also continued to work together on different issues since 1998.

In 2023, the similar combined county authority was also introduced.