Councillor Jill Reeves, Chairman of Essex County Council, said:
It was with sadness that Essex County Council learnt of the death of Lord Hanningfield.
“Lord Hanningfield was first elected to the County Council in 1970, and served as Chairman from 1989 to 1992. He was Leader of the Council from 1998 to 1999, and from 2000 until his resignation in 2010. He was also Leader of the Conservative Group on the Local Government Association.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends at this time.”