TWO out of three councils in Essex have said they would like to see the county split into five new unitary authorities, replacing the 15 local councils currently responsible for services such as bin collections and filling potholes reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
The new Labour government is working to establish larger unitary councils in Essex—possibly five in total, each with around 400,000 residents, instead of the current two-tier system where local councils and a county council look after different services. These new unitary councils will run all local services.
Essex is also set to get a mayor in charge of a combined authority with its own responsibilities. This means that every council service will be switched to organisations that don’t yet exist.
Now, councils across Greater Essex are set to publish and discuss the initial submission to the government on how the Local Government Reorganisation could transform local authorities to achieve more for residents and businesses. Councils need to have considered the submission before the March 21 deadline.
The document follows Greater Essex’s inclusion in the Government’s Priority Programme for Devolution, which invited authorities to collaborate on plans for how all-purpose unitary councils could improve the delivery of essential public services across the county.
Councillor David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, who chaired the development sessions which produced the initial submission, said: “We are pleased to be able to publish the initial plan for the reorganisation of local government in Greater Essex, before discussion by councils and submission to the government.
“The document sets out proposals for how reorganisation could be achieved, as well as how it would support our wider devolution ambitions and the benefits this would bring.
“The joint plan – produced by all 15 councils – marks a significant step forward in shaping the potential future of local government in Greater Essex.
“This progress has been achieved by strong partnership working and committed leadership, which we will need through the changes ahead if we are to secure the best possible outcomes for residents across Greater Essex, now and in the future.”
An early submission has stated that 10 out of 15 of Essex’s council leaders have taken an in-principle decision that five new unitaries is the right model for Essex’s future local governance while retaining a sense of local place and communities.
The minority of other leaders – the county council, Thurrock, Harlow, Epping Forest and Braintree do not yet have a settled preference.
Statement added that a a five-unitary model in Greater Essex would broadly lead to the creation of five new council areas with populations in the region of around 320,000 to 500,000 people.
The group of council leaders estimate that, for example on this scenario, each council would have 60 to 90 members.
A statement as part of the initial submission added: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for local government, working with partners, to build the stable and resilient local government structures that will best meet the needs of our communities now and into the future.
“We believe that we are on that journey of change and look forward to working with Government to ensure the future model of unitary government in Essex delivers cohesion and accountability, enhances economic opportunity, and provides the firm and long-term foundations for the support our residents and communities need.”
The submission has been initially published by Tendring Council for its meeting on March 11. Subsequent publication will happen in line with the publication of papers for meetings at Greater Essex’s 14 other councils.
