THE future governance of Thurrock remains in limbo after a statement by local government minister Jim Mahon today (Thursday, 29 October).

Under original Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) plans the borough's unitary council was supposed to merge with neighbouring Basildon in 2028 to form a new unitary authority called South West Essex Council but the plug was pulled on that plan by the government in September.

That meant the scrapping of proposals for elections in 2027 to a new shadow authority that would overlap with Thurrock and Basildon's existing arrangements for a year.

Since September, little has been said about what will happen in south Essex – and that remains the case after today's pronouncements in Westminster.

Mr Mahon did announce that five 'paused schemes' for East Sussex & Brighton and Hove; Gloucestershire; Oxfordshire; Warwickshire and Worcestershire will now proceed.

Nine areas where plans were withdrawn are to be 'reconsidered'. They are Derbyshire & Derby; Devon, Plymouth & Torbay; Hertfordshire; Kent & Medway; Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen & Blackpool; Leicestershire, Leicester, & Rutland; Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire & North East Lincolnshire; Nottinghamshire & Nottingham and Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent.

However, nothing specific was said about the remaining four withdrawn schemes - Essex, Southend on Sea & Thurrock; Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth & Southampton; Norfolk and Suffolk.

Mr Mahon did say ministers will consider the best way forward for 'all' remaining areas in the programme – which opens the possibility of a further announcement on what is happening in Essex at some point.

An election for a new county-wide mayor is still planned for 2028.

The government issued a statement after Mr Mahon spoke. It can be read in full via this link.

The statement indicates that Thurrock will be in line for a payment to cover part of the costs relating to LGR.

It says: "All areas with previous decisions will receive £450,000 per the number of previously announced new unitary authorities from the £63 million capacity fund, to cover costs incurred in implementing reorganisation. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and West Sussex will each receive £500,000 as decisions have yet to be made there.

"This funding will be paid in the coming weeks. The remaining balance will be paid after final decisions."

In the wake of this afternoon's events Thurrock Council leader Cllr Richard Bingley said: "Today's announcement provides certainty for other areas of the country, but Thurrock and the wider Essex area are still waiting for clarity about our future.

"We have consistently raised concerns about the potential costs and disruption of Local Government Reorganisation, particularly while Thurrock is continuing its financial recovery and improvement journey.

"As an existing unitary council, our priority remains delivering the best possible services for residents, strengthening our finances and making the improvements our communities deserve.

"Continued uncertainty makes it difficult to plan for the future. We need the Government to provide clarity sooner rather than later.

"When a new decision is considered for Essex, we expect to have the opportunity to make further representations and ensure Thurrock's interests are fully considered.

"In the meantime, we will continue to focus on improving services, supporting our communities and building a stronger future for Thurrock."