Radical changes to Essex councils delayed

1 hour ago

Simon DedmanEssex political reporter

Angela Rayner and her ministerial team will look again at the Essex council proposals

Press Association Angela Rayner sat on the green benches of the House of Commons. She has long light-brown hair and thick framed glasses, and is wearing a black top. — Angela Rayner and her ministerial team will look again at the Essex council proposals

A decision on whether a radical reshape of councils in Essex will go ahead is now expected early next year, the government has said.

Plans to abolish Essex's fifteen councils and replace them with five super councils were withdrawn in September.

But on Thursday, the government said local government reorganisation (LGR) in the county was under review. Minister Jim McMahon told the Commons "all options and proposals will remain under consideration".

The Conservatives have described the government's handling of LGR as "a farce". Reform UK-led Essex County Council said it needed to "get on with the serious business of running a council".

The government had approved plans for five all-purpose unitary councils in March, but they are now on hold

A map of Essex showing the five new council areas. — The government had approved plans for five all-purpose unitary councils in March, but they are now on hold

The government announced the five council model for Greater Essex would go ahead in March. It had received the most cross-party and council support at the time.

But Essex County Council sought a judicial review against the decision in the summer.

LGR plans for Essex, Norfolk and Hampshire were then withdrawn by the government in September, "in light of new legal advice".

The government said there would be "fresh ministerial decisions" going forward.

McMahon told the Commons "there is not a requirement for areas to develop new proposals" and they will "consider the proposals already submitted and the evidence".

There were four proposals for Essex originally put forward, including four and three council models.

Various council models were put forward until a five-council plan was settled on

A map of Essex showing the various council areas that were proposed. — Various council models were put forward until a five-council plan was settled on

Conservative MP John Whittingdale told the Commons that withdrawing Essex's plans six weeks ago had "paralysed decision-making".

The Reform UK leader of Thurrock Council, Richard Bingley, said there was "continued uncertainty" for authorities that made planning difficult.

"Thurrock and the wider Essex area are still waiting for clarity about our future," he said.

But the Labour leader of Southend City Council argued: "The government is progressing things at a greater pace than was anticipated."

Daniel Cowan said: "We will continue to robustly advocate that the five model is the best for Southend and Greater Essex."

Cowan argued there was clarity that the city council would continue to provide services until 2029, when new unitary councils would then take over.

Chelmsford City Council leader and county councillor Stephen Robinson, Liberal Democrat, said it was "vital" that all councils worked together "to protect public services, by making that [LGR] a smooth process".

"So I am disappointed that Reform-led Essex County Council still refuses to engage in that process," he said.

An Essex County Council spokesperson said: "We need to get on with the serious business of running a council with a £3bn budget and ensuring that residents get the services they need and deserve."

BBC analysis of freedom of information requests and council documents showed that 11 of the 15 councils in Essex had spent a combined £5,497,711 on LGR so far.

The government announced on Thursday it was set to give Essex councils £2.25m to cover LGR costs.