THE future of governance in Thurrock could be revealed today (Monday, 16 December) when the government releases a white paper later today.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner is due to launch the paper in a speech to regional mayors, local government and business leaders where she is expected to describe the plans as a "turning point".

The plan is aimed at ending 'two tier' governance where there are district and county councils, with wider Essex an area where there is significant change.

Thurrock is one of two exceptions in the county, the other is Southend, that it is already a unitary authority that is in charge of all its own decisions - though at the moment it is effectively run by a board of three government-appointed commissioners following its financial collapse in 2022.

It has been suggested Thurrock could be merged with other authorities with leaks suggesting the government wants to see new councils have a minimum population of 500,000.

Thurrock's population is around 176,000.

Though the idea of the paper is to slim down governance, it has been suggested the government may provide for new strategic planning powers for regional mayors with the "ability to guide infrastructure and development projects across areas."

Thurrock has become notorious for failed or massively overspent infrastructure projects including the A13 widening, Stanford rail station rebuilding and Grays town centre regeneration, including the creation of the new and much criticised town hall.

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Ms Rayner has previewed the plan by saying: "It's a plan for putting more money in people's pockets, putting politics back in the service of working people and a plan for stability, investment and reform, not chaos, austerity and decline, that will deliver a decade of national renewal.

"Reforms in this white paper will have a significant impact on every council and community. While our members are – and always have been – open to change, we remain clear that local government reorganisation should be a matter for councils and local areas to decide."

See government pre-announcement release: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/devolution-by-default-to-create-new-era-of-local-power