Before (end of 1979) (60 seats, Elections Centre)
Conservative 36 · Labour 21 · Other 3 · The Liberal Party 0
After (end of 1980) (60 seats, Elections Centre)
Conservative 35 · Labour 22 · Other 3 · The Liberal Party 0
Ward results
Berechurch1 seat · turnout 38.2%
| J. Fraser | Labour | 995 |
| M. Gage | LIB | 651 |
| C. Roxby | Conservative | 516 |
Castle1 seat · turnout 41.3%
| D. Goodchild | Labour | 917 |
| A. Beevers | Conservative | 839 |
| W. Spyvee | LIB | 281 |
Dedham1 seat · turnout 49.8%
| Jack Ethan Jackson | Conservative | 517 |
| G. Williams | LIB | 123 |
| J. Challinor | Labour | 112 |
East Donyland1 seat · turnout 58.5%
| Sanderson J. | Conservative | 448 |
| E. Lilley | Labour | 334 |
Fordham1 seat · turnout 59.6%
| C. Menzies | Conservative | 514 |
| H. Bryan | Labour | 274 |
Lexden1 seat · turnout 51.5%
| J. Wheeler | Conservative | 1,337 |
| I. Trusler | LIB | 460 |
| J. Crawford | Labour | 266 |
New Town1 seat · turnout 43.8%
| R. Russell | Labour | 1,354 |
| H. Martin | Conservative | 411 |
| J. Loxley | LIB | 218 |
Prettygate1 seat · turnout 45.2%
| E. Kent | Conservative | 1,205 |
| M. Hedge | Labour | 694 |
| M. Fisher | LIB | 349 |
Shrub End1 seat · turnout 33.1%
| L. Woodrow | Labour | 1,103 |
| J. Nicholls | Conservative | 548 |
| G. Daldry | LIB | 246 |
St. Andrews1 seat · turnout 27.6%
| C. Graves | Labour | 1,487 |
| N. Chapman | Conservative | 432 |
| R. Baker | LIB | 177 |
St. Annes1 seat · turnout 45.8%
| M. Frank | Labour | 1,227 |
| Keith McLean | Conservative | 876 |
St. Johns1 seat · turnout 43.6%
| D. Smith | Conservative | 980 |
| R. Crookes | Labour | 544 |
Stanway1 seat · turnout 42.8%
| J. Lowater | Conservative | 834 |
| K. Taylor | Labour | 637 |
| M. Livermore | LIB | 152 |
Tiptree1 seat · turnout 34.7%
| E. Bird | RES | 1,026 |
| R. Bearman | Conservative | 720 |
| C. Kent | Labour | 244 |
Wivenhoe1 seat · turnout 50.8%
| G. Davies | Labour | 1,230 |
| D. Wilkinson | Conservative | 1,043 |
| V. Last | Independent | 401 |