There is now less than one week remaining to respond to the UK Government’s consultation on the proposed formation of a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.
While the proposed devolution deal could bring significant benefits such as greater local control over funding and decision-making in areas like skills, transport, and business support it is important to note that the consultation also seeks views on future governance arrangements.
Voluntary sector colleagues are strongly encouraged to respond, even if they are broadly supportive of devolution overall. This is a key opportunity to help shape how governance will work in practice, and to ensure that any new arrangements meaningfully reflect and leverage the insights, experience, and community reach of the voluntary sector.
It is vital that the voice of the sector is heard in discussions about how representation is structured and how local knowledge can best inform decision-making within a future Mayoral Combined Authority.
Details of the consultation and how to respond can be found here:
On Wednesday 5 February, the UK government confirmed that Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council have had their request to be part of the Devolution Priority Programme accepted. This follows the councils writing to the UK government on Friday 10 January requesting inclusion on the programme and committing to Local Government Re-organisation.
We are hosting a webinar on Devolution for Voluntary Sector, Community and Faith based groups across Essex, on Tuesday 25 March at 6pm. We want to start the conversation and share what we know about devolution.
Devolution
What is devolution? Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from UK government to local authority level. It is important because decisions are made closer to local people, communities and businesses they affect. Devolution would provide greater freedoms and flexibilities for councils to work more effectively. This would improve public services and outcomes for residents and businesses.
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Join the conversation
Essex County Council is hosting a webinar on Devolution for Voluntary Sector, Community and Faith based groups across Essex, on Tuesday 25 March at 6pm. They want to start the conversation and share what we know about devolution.
Have your say on the Greater Essex devolution consultation
The UK government has launched the Greater Essex devolution consultation.
The consultation seeks your views on the proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority for the local government areas in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.
The consultation invites those who live and work across Greater Essex to share their views on:
the proposed geography
the effect of establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority in Greater Essex
how the Mayoral Combined County Authority will make decisions
