The council held its first official meeting on 2 April 1889 at the Shire Hall in Chelmsford. The first chairman of the council was Andrew Johnston of Woodford, a Liberal, who held the post for 27 years until he stood down in 1916.
The council convened its inaugural official meeting on April 2, 1889, at the Shire Hall in Chelmsford. Andrew Johnston, from Woodford and a Liberal, presided over the council for 27 years until his departure in 1916.