Members of Thurrock Council's Non-Political Alliance of Independent Councillors (NPAIC) will question the Council's Cabinet on Wednesday in the only opportunity given to do so before the deadline for proposal submission at the end of September. 

In light of resident feedback, NPAIC councillors worry that the voices of their ward residents are not being heard, and were not taken into account when formulating Thurrock's four-unitary council proposal for LGR, which sees Thurrock partnering with Harlow, Epping Forest and Brentwood to create a unitary authority.

Members have submitted a number of questions echoing the concerns of their residents which will be answered at Wednesday's meeting.

According to a survey of residents published this month, residents of Thurrock fear losing local democracy and identity to associations with London.

However, the opening lines of the Cabinet's proposal include a claim that the area 'looks to London' for work and leisure.

The survey, carried out by the Council, in fact states that only 348/1914 (18% of) responses to the Engagement Activity Survey cited London as somewhere they work and socialise, which is fewer than the combined numbers for Southend and Leigh-on-Sea. 

The survey also shows that finances play the largest role in residents' wishes for LGR, yet the Cabinet does not support the more-financially-viable proposal which opts to streamline delivery for residents by establishing only three unitary councils.

The council has been under a Best Value intervention since September 2022 and was issued a Section 114 notice in December 2022.

The report, published last week, contains admissions of incomplete design work and unconfirmed financial assumptions two weeks before the submission deadline.

Councillors have not yet been given the opportunity to debate the proposal, but an extraordinary council meeting, called for by NPAIC councillors, has been allowed – the week after the deadline.

The survey, report and link to watch Wednesday's Cabinet meeting can be found here: Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 17th September, 2025, 7.00 pm | Thurrock Council.