On the 1st of April, 1987, Galleywood was separated from the Parish of Great Baddow and became a Civil Parish in its own right. Nine Parish Councillors were elected by the residents to form the first Galleywood Parish Council. Councillor Keith Liley, a Chelmsford Borough Councillor and former Great Baddow Parish Councillor, became the first Chairman of the Council. In anticipation of Galleywood becoming a civil Parish, the Keene Hall was extensively modernised in 1986 to provide accommodation for the Parish clerk's office. Parish Council, Planning and other committee meetings are held in the Keene Hall and are open to the public.