Statement from Cllr Mark Stephenson, Leader of Tendring District Council, on Local Government Reorganisation:

"We welcome today's announcement by Government for a new configuration of local councils across the Greater Essex area; and are particularly pleased the minister has listened and adopted our preferred model for North East Essex. 

"Tendring District Council will now step up our collaborative work with all partners across Greater Essex to deliver this change to best serve the interests of our communities, including the people of Tendring, and to ensure this process happens in a smooth way as possible with minimal disruption to the public. 

"We understand there will be lots of questions at this time, and we will be working hard to answer those over the coming weeks and months as the implementation plan is developed. 

"We also welcome the clarity from Government about future election arrangements; with confirmation there will be elections to the new unitary council in May 2027, with councillors elected for an initial five-year term to cover the transition process.

"For now, though, we will continue to provide excellent local services for our residents and communities right up until the point at which Tendring District Council no longer exists on 1 April 2028; and we will work hard to maximise the opportunities re-organisation presents to provide better services to the public in the future. "

Elections for the new shadow unitary authorities in Greater Essex are scheduled for May 2027, with new authorities expected to become operational in April 2028.

The latest updates and information about local government reorganisation in Greater Essex is available on the council’s joint LGR Hub.