THE Labour leader of Thurock Council has announced that she would like to see the borough become part of a new unitary authority, merging with Brentwood, Epping Forest and Harlow councils to form what would effectively be a new London neighbour authority.

The announcement of Thurrock Council's preferred option, which it plans to put to government later this year, was made this afternoon (Wednesday, 30 July) and may come as a surprise to many of its 49 members, only a few who have been briefed about the potential detail.

And the announcement comes before the council's recently launched 'consultation' with borough residents is completed. It will continue to run until mid-August.

This Nub News story is likely to be the first many council members will know of Thurrock's partner council preference. Members of the working group contributing ideas and considering officers' research and thoughts were asked not to share detail with colleagues. And there has been no council-wide presentation about the leadership's preferred choices.

Options put forward for four, three or five unitary authorities. Thurrock's leadership prefers four and wants to link up with Brentwood, Epping and Harlow.

Cllr Worrall did state at recent meetings of the council's corporate overview and scrutiny committee, cabinet, and last week's full council meeting, that it was the ruling Labour group's preference that four new unitary councils be created across Essex to work with the soon-to-be-elected autonomous county Mayor.

However, she gave no detail of who she believed Thurrock would partner up with.

Today, as well as the media announcement, the council has published full details of its preferences ahead an extraordinary meeting of the council's corporate overview and scrutiny next week (Thursday, 7 August). A report to that meeting can be read in full via this link.

A further detailed presentation of the council's reasoning can be read here.

All councils across the county have to submit their preferred options to the government on the way they would like to see greater Essex configured by 26 September.

There are already several significant differences of opinions, with come councils supporting three unitary authorities and others five. Only Thurrock is championing the cause for four new councils.

In its announcement today Thurrock Labour says this is how it believes Essex be divided, with Thurrock being part of a London-centric amalgamation bordering on the M25 and M11.

Thurock Council's proposals and reasoning for Greater Essex unitary authorities:

New Unitary Authority 1: West Essex - Thurrock, Brentwood, Epping Forest, Harlow

West Essex Unitary will be a strategically connected, economically ambitious, and socially inclusive authority. It brings together four distinct but complementary areas to form a new council with the scale and capability to lead on national infrastructure, deliver high-quality services, and drive inclusive growth.

New Unitary Authority 2: North Essex - Chelmsford, Braintree, Uttlesford

North Essex Unitary will be a balanced, resilient, and strategically located authority, combining the economic strength of Chelmsford, the rural and historic character of Uttlesford, and the industrial and logistical capacity of Braintree. It will be defined by its strong transport infrastructure, high quality of life, and capacity to deliver sustainable growth.

New Unitary Authority 3: East Essex - Colchester, Tendring, Maldon

East Essex Unitary will be a coastal and cultural authority, defined by its heritage, natural assets, and inclusive growth ambitions. It will bring together the historic city of Colchester, the coastal towns of Clacton, Harwich, and Walton, and the rural estuary landscapes of Maldon. The authority will be focused on regeneration, environmental resilience, and improving outcomes in areas of deprivation.

New Unitary Authority 4: South Essex - Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford

South Essex Unitary will be a dynamic, high-growth authority with a strong civic identity, diverse economy, and ambitious regeneration agenda. It will bring together four areas with complementary strengths in advanced manufacturing, health, logistics, and tourism.

There is opposition to those proposals within the council membership.

Conservative leader Cllr George Coxshall has already stated at full council that he believes in a three council option and that Thurrock should be part of a 'south Essex' conurbation of councils where there are already strong relationships and a sense of local identity.

He believes the Thames, rather than two motorways, provide a better base for realignment.

There is also likely to be some caustic comment from Reform ranks, who earlier this year in election material ahead of the South Ockendon by-election, suggested the council was already on a path taking it closer to London. Reform said they had written evidence that the idea was policy and had been documented as such.

That was hotly denied and a bitter war of words broke out on social media - eventually resolved when a senior council officer admitted there was a typographical mistake in a document which did link Thurrock with London, but it was an error.

Despite differing opinions within the council, and within the working group, the council made its formal statement representing its corporate view today.

Today's statement says: "The government has been clear that it wants to see local government simplified across the country and here in Essex, local authorities are engaging with their residents and stakeholders on what shape and number of new local authorities might be needed to replace the 15 existing councils.

"Thurrock Council launched its own engagement earlier in July, seeking views on the issues residents of the borough want to see prioritised in any new reorganisation. That engagement is helping shape the thinking of the Leader and her Cabinet as the deadline to submit proposals on local government in Essex approaches in September.

"The council has been working hard assessing each of the options that were available. Financial analysis and the implications of Thurrock Council's debt were important considerations when reviewing the various configurations of new authorities which included Thurrock.

"This approach has helped the Council reach the conclusion that this four-authority model is the right one."

It is not clear yet whether councillors will be given a vote on that opinion or whether it will simply be a Labour leadership fait accompli.

Cllr Worrall seems convinced.

She says: "Most of the councils in Essex are working hard in their own communities to develop proposals as to what the landscape of local government in Essex could look like in future. The big question is this: how many councils is right for Thurrock and Essex? For our part, it has become clear that some of the models and ideas put forward by other councils simply will not work for all the people of Thurrock or for the people of Greater Essex.

Doing it her way and taking the lead from the top. Cllr Lynn Worrall.

"A model of only having three very large unitary authorities doesn't really look like sensible geographies and would simply be too far removed from the local communities that will rely on them. The five-model option, although it feels more local, is not viable on financial grounds. The collective debt of councils across the whole of greater Essex creates the risk of a big government bail-out would be needed to make this plan work.

"As a result of our own analysis, we believe that a four-model option is the right one for both Thurrock and Essex.

"Four authorities operating in Essex strikes the right balance between financial viability and decision-making being closer to those whom we serve.

"However, we do not intend to make the decision today – residents are already engaging on this issue in their hundreds through our own online survey. It is right that we conclude that work before making a final decision.

"I want to thank those elected members who have worked so hard on the Member Working Group which is reviewing the options for the future, and for the support and challenge from corporate oversight and scrutiny, with whom I look forward to talking about our decision. Their continuing efforts are greatly appreciated.

"Additionally, I want to thank those residents and stakeholders of the borough who are already engaging with us about it.

"Our focus at this time must be on improving Thurrock Council on behalf of its residents and securing a future local government landscape in Essex that is accountable, transparent, sustainable and provides value-for-money."