Of the original 15 councillors, 8 have since passed away. Only one has served since the beginning but two others have returned after a break in service. Three of the more recent councillors have taken breaks before returning to be part of the current 15.

50 candidates (17 women and 33 men) stood in the 1986 elections. The ballot paper, at 53 inches long, was thought to be a record. 3 women and 12 men were elected.

Because of the difficulties of selecting 15 votes from 50, Hessle was divided into 4 wards in time for the next elections in May 1991.