Residents, businesses, community and voluntary groups in Essex and anyone interested have just one week left to have their say on the future structure of local government.
Early last year, the government announced Greater Essex was accepted onto its Devolution Priority Programme, a fast-track to establishing a new, mayor-led combined county authority, alongside plans for new unitary councils for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
The government’s ambition for LGR is to simplify local government across the country, ending the two-tier system and establishing single-tier unitary councils that work better, making it easier and simpler for residents to access and navigate services.
The government is now consulting on the four proposals that were submitted to the Government by Greater Essex councils in September, which set out different options for LGR in the county:
• Southend-on-Sea City Council, along with nine district, borough and city councils, has put forward a plan for five unitary councils.
• Thurrock Council’s proposals focus on creating four new unitary councils for Greater Essex.
• Separately, Rochford Council has put forward a different proposal for a four unitary model.
• Essex County Council, along with two district councils, is proposing a configuration of three new unitary councils.
The consultation allows for local people and organisations to share their views on what they think about the proposed changes in Greater Essex, which closes this Sunday, 11 January 2026.
All of the proposals, including summaries, are available on the joint LGR hub set up by all 15 councils last year.
Cllr Graham Butland, Leader of Braintree District Council and Chair of the Essex Leaders and Chief Executives group, made up of all 15 councils, said: “This marks the most significant change to local government in Essex in over 50 years. If you haven’t already, I’d encourage anyone who has a view on what they’d like to see for the future of their local council and how services are delivered to take part in the survey, so their views can be directly shared with central government.”
Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council and Vice-Chair of the Essex Leaders and Chief Executive’s Group, said: “This is a pivotal opportunity for residents, businesses, local voluntary and community sector organisations, parish and town councils and anyone interested to make their voice heard to government before they make their final decision.
“Councils across Greater Essex agree reorganisation of local government is the right direction for the future. Whatever proposal the government take forward, we share a firm commitment to collaborate, strengthen local government services, and deliver positive change for our communities, making Essex an even better place to live and work.”
Take part in the consultation online: https://consult.communities.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation/essex-southend-on-sea-thurrock/. Paper copies of the proposals are available at all Essex libraries.
The results of the consultation will help the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government decide a preferred option on how local government is structured in Greater Essex, whilst also assessing each proposal against its established criteria.
A decision on the final plans is expected in Spring 2026, with new unitary councils planned to go live in April 2028.
More information about local government reorganisation in Greater Essex can be found on the Greater Essex joint LGR Hub.
