Before (end of 1977) (60 seats, Elections Centre)
Conservative 39 · Labour 18 · Other 3 · The Liberal Party 0
After (end of 1978) (60 seats, Elections Centre)
Conservative 37 · Labour 21 · Other 2 · The Liberal Party 0
Ward results
Berechurch1 seat · turnout 41.6%
| R. McQuitty | Labour | 953 |
| L. Long | Conservative | 836 |
| M. Gage | LIB | 565 |
BIRCH-MESSING1 seat
| T. Wayman | Independent | 0 ✓ |
Boxted & Langham1 seat · turnout 57.0%
| A. Sexton | Conservative | 589 |
| J. Bensusan-Butt | Labour | 346 |
Castle1 seat · turnout 50.4%
| K. Cooke | Labour | 1,406 |
| G. Jeffries | Conservative | 912 |
| D. Stephenson | LIB | 154 |
Lexden1 seat · turnout 51.3%
| D. Holt | Conservative | 1,614 |
| D. Pitchford | Labour | 367 |
Mile End1 seat · turnout 45.0%
| J. Fulford | Conservative | 1,092 |
| T. Oxton | Labour | 518 |
Prettygate1 seat · turnout 45.6%
| D. Purvis | Conservative | 1,523 |
| R. Lown | Labour | 693 |
Shrub End1 seat · turnout 32.8%
| E. Plowright | Labour | 1,044 |
| J. Nicholls | Conservative | 716 |
St. Andrews1 seat · turnout 30.9%
| G. Bober | Labour | 1,374 |
| N. Chapman | Conservative | 676 |
St. Annes1 seat · turnout 42.3%
| R. Marchant | Labour | 1,016 |
| D. Sissons | Conservative | 770 |
St. Johns1 seat · turnout 46.7%
| M. Pinnock | Conservative | 1,132 |
| P. Treacher | Labour | 470 |
St. Marys1 seat · turnout 45.4%
| R. Hilham | Conservative | 1,431 |
| S. McAndrew | Labour | 453 |
| W. Spyvee | LIB | 282 |
Stanway1 seat · turnout 48.2%
| D. Arrondelle | Conservative | 942 |
| E. Kirkby | Labour | 793 |
WEST BERGHOLT1 seat · turnout 47.4%
| J. Lampon | Conservative | 692 |
| J. Quinn | Labour | 151 |
Winstree1 seat · turnout 54.4%
| M. Fairhead | Conservative | 808 |
| V. McAndrew | Labour | 210 |
Wivenhoe1 seat · turnout 43.6%
| J. Bayles | Labour | 1,154 |
| K. Brereton | Conservative | 985 |