Local government

Three New Councils – One Bright Future

Essex County Council has published its Proposal for Greater Essex, setting out a bold and evidence-based vision for the future of local government in our county.

This proposal represents the most significant change to local government in Essex in over 50 years. It outlines the creation of three new, all-purpose unitary councils, covering North, Mid, and South Essex – bringing decision-making closer to residents and ensuring services are joined-up and efficient.

Councillor Kevin Bentley, Leader of Essex County Council, said:

“Our proposal is about creating a better future for the people we serve. By bringing services under three new councils, we can deliver better outcomes, simplify governance, and make the most of every pound we spend. This is about unlocking the potential of Essex and ensuring our communities have the local government they deserve.”

The proposal will be considered at Essex County Council’s Cabinet and Full Council meetings on 18 September before being submitted to Government on 26 September. The Government will then decide which proposal(s) will go forward to public consultation later this autumn.

While there are alternative proposals from other councils, what unites all of Greater Essex is the shared ambition to create a local government system that works better for residents, businesses, and communities.

You can read the full proposal here: www.essex.gov.uk/three-councils

More information about Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and other council proposals is available at: www.essexlgrhub.org

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News

Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex – Update

On 21 March, all 15 councils across Greater Essex, together with the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC), submitted an interim proposal for Local Government Reorganisation to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

The proposal represents a collaborative effort across Greater Essex to explore the potential for creating new unitary council structures. These changes aim to improve the efficiency, accountability, and delivery of public services across the region.

Essex County Council have now received initial feedback from the MHCLG. You can read the full feedback here.

Working together with colleagues across the county, ECC are carefully considering the response and will incorporate this input as they refine their plans. Detailed proposals will be submitted to the MHCLG by the end of September.

We remain committed to keeping residents and stakeholders informed throughout this process. For ongoing updates on Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution in Greater Essex, please visit this page.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Consultations, Events, News