The Annual Town Meeting is a legacy from the Middle Ages, when Local Councils did not exist, and all local decision making was carried out by meetings of the whole community, historically taking place in the church vestry. Under the Local Government Act 1972 S9 all parishes/towns in England must hold an Annual Parish/Town Meeting between 1st March and 1st June every year. 

The Annual Parish Meeting is open to all electors of South Woodham Ferrers, who have the right not only to attend but also to speak on any matter of local interest, though any resident wishing to raise a specific matter which requires a detailed answer are asked to give prior notice with details in writing, in order that a full and complete response may be provided at the meeting. It is not a meeting of the Town Council; it’s a meeting of the electorate.

We also invite a local organisation to give a talk and heads of each committee report to the public with achievements and plans which will affect the town.

Our next Annual Town Council Meeting will be on the 21st April 2026, at Champions Manor Hall  from 7PM

Each year the Council produces a report with an overview of the Council's year. This report is presented at the Annual Town Meeting with the  Financial summary, Chairman's reports and upcoming events. 

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended our Annual Town Meeting — your presence and engagement are what make our town such a vibrant and connected community.

We’re especially grateful to our wonderful community groups who continue to contribute so much to South Woodham Ferrers. Your dedication and involvement truly make a difference.

A special thank you to our guest speakers:
- Cllr Tom Cunningham from Essex Highways
- Sally Hutton and Anne Henry from the RNLI
Your insights and contributions were greatly appreciated by all.

We were honoured by the presence of the High Sheriff of Essex, Mrs Julie Fosh, and the Mayor of Chelmsford, Cllr Janette Potter, joined by Mayoress Jackie Galley — thank you for your support and for joining us on this important evening.

Finally, a sincere thank you to our SWF Town Councillors, with special appreciation to Town Mayor Cllr Alan Shearring and Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Toni Perham-Lake for their leadership and ongoing service to our town.

Here’s to continued collaboration and progress — thank you all for being part of it! 

As part of this year's event , we held a Children's Easter Colouring Competition , with our Mayor judging the winner. 

Our recent photo competition continues our local engagement and was more than just an opportunity to showcase the talent within our community; it was a celebration of the moments, people, and places that make our local area unique. Residents of all ages participated, capturing the essence of life in our neighbourhood through their lenses.

From the serenity of our parks and Fen, to the life of our town centre, each photograph told a story of connection, pride, and beauty. We were thrilled by the overwhelming response and the quality of entries, making the selection process incredibly challenging but equally rewarding. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated, and well done to our winners! Our winners and/or finalists are shown below.