Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Devolution is different from Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). LGR is the government’s long-term vision for simpler council structures, which make it clear who is responsible for services.
You can find out more about Local Government Reorganisation on essex.gov.uk.
To help deliver these aims, the government will facilitate LGR in England for two-tier areas (for example, those with county and district councils) such as Essex.
This would see all 15 councils in Essex (including ECC, Southend and Thurrock) replaced with a number of unitary authorities who are responsible for all local authority services in their area.
While we can have LGR without devolution, the government is encouraging both to take place. It has stated reorganisation should not delay devolution, but local plans should be complementary, with devolution remaining the overarching priority. As a council, ECC has always been clear on its commitment to devolution and remains so.
As far as LGR is concerned, we have also committed to reorganisation. We will need to:
- offer the government a high-level, outline view of the options we are considering for Essex by 21 March 2025
- submit detailed proposals towards the end of September 2025
Beyond this, the earliest we would anticipate elections for ‘shadow’ councils would take place would be May 2027, with the councils starting work on 1 April 2028.
It's our understanding that regardless of the number of unitary authorities, they will go live on 1 April 2028 so nothing will change for employees until that date. We need to carry on delivering the vital services our residents need.
Essex local authorities have already commissioned work from consultants Grant Thornton to refresh the evidence base developed in 2020 covering things such as the demographics and finances of the existing councils, so any new proposals will take into account a range of different factors.