Majority of Essex Council Leaders back keeping 'local government as local as possible’

Ten Council Leaders in Essex, have demonstrated their firm and joint public support for the creation of five new unitary authorities across Greater Essex to replace the current 15 councils.

In a joint open letter, all ten Leaders state that ‘The people of Essex deserve councils that are local, accountable, and responsive.’ They also go on to say that ‘Reorganisation should promote growth by respecting the geography of this hugely diverse county and by bringing government closer to residents, not further away.’

Key points: the five unitary proposal

• This model is locally rooted, preserving community identity, and service delivery;
• Has been developed with strong support from a number of MPs;
• The only proposal with support from all the political parties that lead councils across Essex;
• Public consultation shows the majority prefer the status quo, but when change is considered, five councils is the best fit;
• According to audited figures, five unitary authorities can achieve savings of over £100m per year, compared to £25m for three unitary authorities.

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“Since the Devolution White Paper made it clear that Essex must reorganise, I have advocated for keeping local government local. This is the only credible way forward for Essex and I’m glad to see a majority of councils and a number of MPs are showing their support for this.

“The five councils will help protect local services against a small number of mega councils, while delivering real public sector reform, and delivers more savings than the alternatives.”

Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council and Chair of the five council group

Under this proposal, new authorities would be based on Essex’s largest and most natural urban centres:

• North East Essex Council, bringing together Braintree, Colchester and Tendring.
• Mid Essex Council, bringing together Brentwood, Chelmsford and Maldon
• West Essex Council, bringing together Uttlesford, Harlow and Epping Forest
• South East Essex Council, bringing together Southend, Castle Point and Rochford
• South West Essex Council, bringing together Basildon and Thurrock

All proposals for local government reorganisation in Essex must be submitted to The Government before their deadline of 26 September 2025.

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“From our consultation, it’s really clear that people are worried about local government becoming less local. Streamlining Greater Essex into five unitary authorities, as opposed to creating bigger and unwieldy councils, is the best option on the table. It ensures that we can make the savings that are needed but also keep our local identities and ensure everyone is represented democratically.

“Many people are concerned about the costs and disruption from reorganisation. We have made clear in this joint letter, that not only do the majority of Essex councils support this proposal but we will all work together across Greater Essex, whatever the final outcome from Government.”

Cllr Stephen Robinson, Chelmsford City Council Leader and Deputy Chair of the five council group

Learn more about LGR and the submitted proposals

Find out more about local government reorganisation (LGR) in Essex and read all the proposals submitted to Government on the Essex LGR Hub: https://www.essexlgrhub.org/proposals