THURROCK Council’s new Reform leader has written to the Government today calling for the authority to be excluded from major plans to reorganise local government across Essex reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Richard Bingley, who was elected as leader of the council after last month’s local election, is asking MP Steve Reed – Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government – to “free the council from the distraction and cost of reorganisation so it can focus on improvement”.
He is urging Mr Reed to acknowledge that, while Thurrock Council has made real progress in stabilising its finances and improving governance, those gains “remain fragile and need protecting”.
He is calling on the Secretary of State to prioritise the interests of Thurrock residents, claiming they have “endured years of neglect, cuts to services and above‑average council tax rises”.
He warns that pressing ahead with the Government’s chosen local government reorganisation (LGR) model – creating five new unitary authorities across Essex – would be a serious mistake.
In his letter, Mr Bingley said: “At a time when we are rebuilding civic pride and asking residents to believe in their borough again, structural upheaval risks undermining that fragile confidence. Participating in LGR now would risk slowing or weakening this economic potential.
“Reorganisation would require extensive structural planning, negotiation, and transition work—activities that would inevitably draw attention away from the urgent tasks of renewing civic pride, economic development, financial recovery, and delivering change for Thurrock residents.
“Thurrock’s businesses, investors, and strategic partners consistently tell us that what they need most is stability, clarity, and a council able to act quickly and decisively.
“Entering into years of planning and transitioning will mean we are not able to do that effectively, and our residents will remain frustrated while not feeling the benefit of promises made but not delivered.”
Earlier this month Reform UK won 45 seats out of 49 in the local elections defeating Labour in a landslide victory and have officially taken control of Thurrock Council for the first time.
Under the proposals, Basildon and Thurrock would be grouped into a new “South West Essex” authority, while Southend, Rochford and Castle Point could form “South East Essex”.
Previously speaking to the Local Democracy Service, Mr Bingley said his administration would resist any move to merge the two boroughs.
“One of the big issues is the planned local government reorganisation,” he said.
“If Keir Starmer’s government gets its way, we will oppose the merging of Basildon and Thurrock Council. It doesn’t ring true to democracy, local roots or identity.
“Both boroughs get on very well, but there is no common identity between them. The reorganisation just seems bonkers.”
The full letter can be found here: thurrock.gov.uk/improvement/lgr-our-latest-position-june-2026
