The Greater Essex Interim Plan for local government reorganisation has been submitted to the government following a meeting today of the Leaders and Chief Executives of the 15 councils in Greater Essex.
Leaders and Chief Executives this afternoon signed a joint letter to Jim McMahon MP, the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution.
The interim plan highlights the opportunities local government reorganisation presents for the county’s 1.8 million residents, and sets out criteria by which decisions will be made on how to draw the new council boundaries. It establishes the principles and a roadmap for Greater Essex councils to work together to agree on final proposals. Those final proposals will be submitted to the UK government in the autumn.
Cllr John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: “I’m pleased that we have been able to work together with partners across the whole of the county to develop the Greater Essex Interim Plan which is a really important step on our journey towards local government reorganisation.
“The government has set us an extremely tight timetable to bring forward these initial proposals, and I suspect all councils across the country involved in this process have found it challenging, with some asking for more time. That we can make this significant step today is a testament to our commitment to work together to secure a new future for local government in Essex.
“We hope to hear back from the government on the interim plan soon, and then the hard work will really start as we develop the plan over the summer months. I’ve been clear right from the start, that decisions about new council areas should be evidenced-based; made by examining all the data closely to understand what’s best for Greater Essex’s 1.8 million residents. This interim plan commits us to use all the evidence at our disposal as we agree on the right approach for local people and to deliver excellent services for years to come.
“Local government reorganisation is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to become part of something stronger, more resilient and better able to deliver the services residents deserve.”