The Conservative Party seized six of Chelmsford district's nine seats – gaining Great Baddow from the Lib Dems in the process, while UKIP came close to a successful night.
One of UKIP's founders, Jeanette Georgina Howes, tallied 1,368 votes and 29.6% of the total in Great Baddow, 72 short of the Tories, while UKIP also gained 25.6% across all nine divisions.
The overall turnout – which stood at 28.2% - did not reflect kindly on the Green Party and Labour.
Labour candidates failed to pass third place in any of the counts and Chelmsford West candidate Bill Horslen said he was very disappointed.
"But that's life and we get on with it and we have to look to next time," he said. "It's the apathy that's the problem."
Chelmsford Central councillor Dick Madden (Con) said: "From our point of view it's a success because we have gained a seat from the Chelmsford area."
