Essex is on the brink of its biggest local government shake-up in more than 50 years. The government has launched a consultation on proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), and now the residents and businesses of Greater Essex have the chance to shape the future.
Our proposal, supported by Braintree District Council and Epping Forest District Council, would replace the current two-tier system of 15 councils with three new all-purpose unitary authorities – one for North Essex, one for Mid Essex, and one for South Essex.
The vision is simple: create councils that are big enough to deliver essential services effectively, yet local enough to stay connected to the people that they serve.
As my colleague Councillor Chris Whitbread has explained, three unitaries makes sense financially. But this is about more than finances and efficiency - it’s about putting communities at the heart of decision-making. Supporting neighbourhoods to shape decisions about their local areas is a key principle of our plan.
Through Neighbourhood Delivery Committees, we will give residents, via the councillors they elect, a real say in local priorities. Each committee will serve an area with a genuine local identity, going much deeper than existing local government structures in Essex.
These committees will have the authority and resources to make tangible improvements in their communities. To back this up, we’ve committed to an initial £30 million Neighbourhood Delivery Fund. This isn’t just a token gift; it’s a serious investment in real delivery and real change.
But what does this mean to residents? For the kinds of minor highway issues that Essex County Council members often say they hear about most, these changes will make a real difference.
Right now our system works, but localised repairs often take far longer than they should. Think about a loose kerbstone on a residential street, an out-of-date directional sign at a junction, or a fading zebra crossing. These are relatively small jobs, but they matter.
Under our new approach, these repairs would be handled quickly and without unnecessary delay. They may seem minor, yet they have a big impact on how people feel about their neighbourhood. They affect safety, convenience, and even the pride residents take in their area. We know this will resonate with communities across Essex and I’m sure everyone can think of examples close to home.
And highways is just one example of where our truly local committees can make a real difference.
This is not a gimmick. We’re handing proper budgets and proper authority to elected councillors who know their areas best. No more waiting for decisions from a distant, centralised council. This is about giving residents a bigger stake in their communities and ensuring the people they elect can make decisions that affect their daily lives.
The future of local government isn’t about delivering more services from the centre. It is about putting power into the hands of people and communities, enabling them to solve problems with our support. Our Neighbourhood Delivery Committees will do exactly that.
You can read our full proposal - Three new councils, one bright future – as well as a summary and find out more about the other proposals submitted to Government.
This is a huge decision for the future of Greater Essex and I would urge you to make sure you have your say as part of the consultation.
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