Chelmsford to join Brentwood, Maldon and part of Essex CC to form new unitary authority
The Government has announced the formation of a new 'mid-Essex' council from April 2028, made up of Chelmsford, Brentwood, Maldon and Essex County Council services.
In two years’ time, the current system of 15 councils across Greater Essex will be replaced by five larger unitary authorities, each responsible for services in its area.
The Government has also confirmed their commitment to repay in-principle £200m of Thurrock Council’s debt in 2026-27.
The new councils in Essex will be made up of the following existing authorities and Essex County Council services:
• Brentwood, Chelmsford and Maldon
• Braintree, Colchester and Tendring
• Epping, Harlow and Uttlesford
• Basildon and Thurrock
• Castle Point, Rochford and Southend-on-Sea
New unitary authorities will replace two-tier system in Essex
Currently, responsibilities are split between different tiers of councils across much of Essex. Essex County Council manages services including highways and social care, while district authorities like Chelmsford City Council deliver services like kerbside recycling and planning. Under the new arrangements, a single council will look after all these services in the area it serves.
The Government says the change is intended to simplify local government and bring related services closer together. Joining up work such as housing, social care and community safety could help councils respond more effectively to local needs, with residents dealing with just one council for most services.
““We supported the proposal to join Chelmsford with Maldon, Brentwood and county council services, and I’m really pleased the Government has chosen this option, which keeps local services and representation as close to residents as possible.
Councillor Stephen Robinson, Leader, Chelmsford City Council
“Done right, this reorganisation could improve how everything works together, so residents receive the best possible services and fewer people fall through the gaps. We will continue to work with all our partners across Essex to prepare for April 2028, to ensure a smooth transition when the new council takes over. In the meantime, Chelmsford City Council will continue to deliver vital services across the district, supporting residents and businesses.”
Elections to new councils to be held next year
Over the coming months, the Government will lay out legislation to allow the changes to happen. A transition team is expected to be established later in the year to oversee the handover to the new authority.
In May 2027, elections will be held for councillors to the new unitary authority. These council members will initially form a ‘shadow authority’, responsible for preparing the new council ahead of its launch in April 2028. They will then continue to serve as councillors for the new unitary authority for a further three years.
Existing councils and shadow unitary councillors will work together to refine specific details of how services will be combined, which systems will be carried forward, and what will happen to services like recycling that may differ between current districts.
Keep up to date
The latest updates and information about local government reorganisation in Greater Essex are available on the joint LGR Hub. If you’d like to receive news from Chelmsford City Council straight to your inbox, you can also sign up to our fortnightly email newsletter.
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