This week, the Government has confirmed that our proposal for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) – ‘Three new councils, one bright future’ - will go out to public consultation. This is a proud milestone, not just for the council, but for everyone who has contributed to shaping our bold new vision for the future of local government in Greater Essex.
Our proposal, which is supported by Braintree District Council and Epping Forest District Council, sets out a plan to move from 15 councils to a streamlined model of three new unitary councils. It’s a vision built on sustainability, simplicity and service - designed to deliver better outcomes for residents, strengthen accountability and create a more effective and empowered local government.
This achievement is the result of months of hard work, collaboration and engagement. We worked closely with colleagues, partners and local businesses to gather evidence, listen to ideas, and develop a proposal that reflects the needs of our communities.
The fact that our proposal - and those from the other councils across Greater Essex - are going out to consultation is a real vote of confidence from the Government. It shows they recognise the strength of our visions and the excellent joint working that’s gone into developing all four of them. Now we’ve got a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from local people and make sure their voices help shape what comes next.
The Government’s consultation opens on 19 November 2025 and closes on 11 January 2026. I encourage everyone to take part. Whether you’re a resident, a business owner, a community leader or you work in Greater Essex, your voice matters.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to help shape the future of local government in Greater Essex. The decisions made by the Government following this consultation will affect how services are delivered, how communities are supported and how resources are managed for years to come. That’s why it’s so important that as many people as possible share their views to ensure the final proposal reflects the priorities, concerns and aspirations of the people we serve.
You can read the proposal - Three new councils, one bright future - find out more about the other proposals submitted to Government and take part in the consultation. A summary of our proposal is also available.
This is a defining moment. Please do take part in the consultation and give your views. Let’s make the most of it together.
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