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Essex County Council, Thurrock Council and Southend-on-sea City Council write to the government to confirm that they want to proceed with devolution and the reorganisation of local councils in the area- https://www.essex.gov.uk/news/2025/joint-statement-leaders-essex-county-council-thurrock-council-and-southend-sea-city
The 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 confirmed. The Government has also confirmed that the elections scheduled for May this year for Essex County Council and Thurrock Council will be suspended- https://www.essex.gov.uk/news/2025/essex-councils-accepted-devolution-priority-programme
The government releases the Greater Essex devolution consultation. This consultation seeks views including those who live and work across Greater Essex on the effect of establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority in the area. It includes questions on the proposed geography and how the Combined County Authority will make decisions, together with questions on the effects of working across this geography through a Mayoral Combined County Authority- https://www.essex.gov.uk/news/2025/greater-essex-devolution-consultation-now-live
Following recent announcements, these forums are designed to discuss the upcoming devolution process, and as always, the Association will try to answer any questions you may have. We aim to hold these forums on a regular basis, so please look out for the announcement on the next forum date.
Government clarification over parish and town council involvement in reorganisation proposals – https://ealc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MHCLG-letter-to-NALC-28.02.25.pdf;
The Interim plan for LGR in Greater Essex has been published, prior to its consideration by councils at forthcoming meetings, and submission to the Government on 21st March- https://tdcdemocracy.tendringdc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=130&MId=2571;
The Greater Essex campaign aims to educate and raise awareness about devolution. This initiative will cover the opportunities presented by devolution, potential changes, the process involved, the timeline, and direct access to the UK government’s consultation. The Devolution Explained campaign will focus on:
– Enhancing awareness and understanding of devolution
– Addressing any misinformation surrounding the topic
– Ensuring that Essex residents and businesses are well-informed and equipped to participate in the UK government’s consultation
To assist our partners in supporting this campaign, Essex County Council (ECC) has created a Devolution Explained partner toolkit along with various campaign materials. These resources are available for download through the links below-
We are pleased to inform you that the below joint statement, advocating for the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in Essex, has been released. This statement highlights the critical need for VCS inclusion, funding, and representation in ongoing devolution discussions. We encourage you to share this widely and support the commitment to ensuring that the voluntary sector is not only sustained but empowered to grow and flourish, by engaging on social media and through direct communication with policymakers. This means: A commitment to localism, ensuring that restructuring does not weaken community-led initiatives Sustained core and long-term funding, so that organisations can plan effectively The ability to innovate and respond, supporting the shift toward prevention and wellbeing rather than crisis response.
Read the statement at- https://ealc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/JOINTSTATEMENT-ON-DEVOLUTION-AND-LOCAL-GOVERNMENT-REFORM.pdf
The Interim Plan for Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex has now been confirmed as having been considered by each of the 15 councils that contributed to it, along with the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. Following meetings that took place over the last two weeks, the plan has been formally submitted to the government. This marks an important milestone in realising the benefits that Local Government Reorganisation will bring. Over the next six months, further evidence and insights will be gathered in preparation for the submission of final plans in September. The team awaits the government’s response on the interim plan in the near future- https://ealc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Greater-Essex-Interim-Plan-submitted-to-MHCLG.pdf
Following an update this week from Essex County Council’s Team on Greater Essex LGR – Summary of Proposal for Three Unitaries (please click to download slides) – we urge parish, town, community, and village councils to hold an extraordinary meeting if necessary to agree on their response to the Consultation on New Unitary Authorities for Greater Essex. The consultation is now live.
This is the biggest change to local government in Essex in over 50 years—please make your voice heard.
The Government announced a public consultation on four proposals for new unitary councils in Greater Essex on 19th November, which will run until Sunday, 11 January 2026, with a decision expected in Spring 2026.
Details on how to take part are available on the LGR Hub.
Attached:
Four proposals are under consideration, ranging from three to five new unitary councils. Full details, summaries, and supporting documents are available on the Greater Essex LGR Hub.
Residents, businesses, and community groups are encouraged to share their views via the official MHCLG consultation site: Take part in the consultation.
For resources and messaging templates, visit the Essex LGR Hub.
The consultation is conducted by MHCLG. Any enquiries should be emailed directly to them: LGRconsultationresponse@communities.gov.uk
The English Devolution White Paper is released and sets out the government’s plans to widen and deepen devolution across England. It outlines how the government will rebuild and reform local government- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/676028c9cfbf84c3b2bcfa57/English_Devolution_White_Paper_Web_Accessible.pdf
If you have any enquiries relating to the above, please send them to-
