Council leaders sign up to initial agreement on local government reorganisation - differences remain but borough chief describes it as 'a really important step'
THURROCK Council leader Cllr John Kent and its Chief Executive Dr Dave Smith joined forces with senior councillors and officers from across Essex today to sign a joint submission to government about their expecations of devolution.
Fifteen council and the Police & Crime and Fire Commisioner have signed up to The Greater Essex Interim Plan for local government reorganisation, even though significant differences remain between authorities - particularly district councils. However, there is enough communality for them to sign a joint letter to Jim McMahon MP, the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution.
The interim plan (which can be read via this link) 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 Kent said: "I'm pleased that we have been able to work together with partners across the whole of the county to develop the 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."
Cllr John Kent.
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