THURROCK Council has published its full proposal for changes to future local government in Essex as the deadline looms for all county local authorities to submit their own ideas to ministers.

There are two major changes coming to governance in Essex, described as 'Devolution' and 'Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)'.

Devolution is about transferring powers and funding from government to local areas through the creation of a country-wide mayor. Elections for the mayor are expected to take place next May and for the first year, the mayor will work with a shadow board of representatives from Essex County Council, Southend Council and Thurrock before the reorganisation of councils, expected in 2027 or 2028.

LGR is planned nationwide and aims to reduce the number of councils across the country by creating larger unitary councils that bring a 'simpler and more effective system that is better value for money'.

After a year of debate and discussion about LGR, the 15 councils that make up Essex are now preparing to make submission to the government about what they think will be the best options.

Essex County Council is promoting 'the power of three' map.

Views are widely different, with little unity among authorities.

Thurrock Council's Labour leadership has remained steadfast in its decision to opt for joining Brentwood, Epping and Harlow councils to create a new unitary authority running from the Thames to the county's north west border. The council went public with that proposal on 30 July. However, it is the only council expressing a liking for that proposal, it is understood the three projected partners have said they don't support it.

And there are differing opinions in Thurrock. However, the arguments of dissenting voices within the council, who prefer other options including differing-sized alliances with Southend, Basildon, Castle Point and Rochford councils to create a South Essex Council, have failed to sway the leadership.

A proposed new South Essex Council, championed by Essex County Council, would be one of three new unitary authorities, the others covering North Essex (Colchester, Tendring, Braintree and Uttlesford) and Mid Essex (Chelmsford, Brentwood, Epping Forest, Harlow and Maldon).

At next week's Cabinet meeting (Wednesday, 17 September) Thurrock's Labour executive is set to endorse a proposal which is focused on creating four new unitary local authorities in Essex. It will serve 'The West' alongside an amalgamated council covering Brentwood, Epping and Harlow. The three other councils would be 'The North' (Braintree, Chelmsford, Uttlesford), 'The East' (Colchester, Maldon, Tendring) and The South (Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea).

Thurrock Council is backing a four council alliance called 'The West' around the M25 and M11.

Thurrock Council's leadership says that plan offers value-for-money, financial stability and keeps decision-making close to communities at its core.

Southend-on-Sea City Council is a leading supporter of the proposal for five councils. It wants to partner with Castle Point, and Rochford and sees Thurrock united with Basildon and Brentwood.

Rochford's chosen four unitary option.

Rochford Council is also backing a different unitary proposal for four councils. It sees itself allied with Brentwood, Chelmsford and Maldon as 'Central Essex', while it sees Thurrock linked with Basildon, Castle Point and Southend as 'South Essex'. 

Basildon's often outspoken leader Cllr Gavin Callaghan has been at the forefront of social media promoting his council's needs and ambitions and he favours the five unitaries plan, saying: "From my perspective, the five-council model will be cheaper and we'll have greater efficiencies and savings, and the five-model retains local government.

"What do people living in Purfleet have in common with someone who lives in Great Wakering? How does someone who lives in Purfleet get to Rochford Town Hall or wherever the centre of the council's going to be."

The five unitary option.

Cllr Callaghan favours a merger of Thurrock and Basildon in the five unitary option.

Other configurations and options are being mooted across the region, creating a confusing and difficult compendium of proposals for the county's more than 1.8 million residents. And the Westminster mandarins who will make the ultimate decisions will have a lot of work ahead of them.

A statement from Thurrock Council says: "The proposal has been developed following months of discussion, debate and engagement – including with Thurrock residents through a summer programme of online and in-person events which have been led by the Leader of the Council."

Council leader Cllr Lynn Worrall said: "I believe that Thurrock's Cabinet has before it a carefully developed and costed proposal that has value-for-money and good services for local residents at its core.

"It has been informed by the views of local people, and I want to thank all the residents, members and partners who took the time over the summer to share their views.

"We heard that making sure the finances stack up was an absolute priority for residents. We also heard that local people want their services to improve, and they want councils to stay close to the communities they serve. All of this is reflected in our proposal.

Cllr Lynn Worrall

"Our proposal calls for four unitary councils to be created, with geographies that make sense and which retain local identity. We've carefully assessed how key services will work, such as adults and children's social care and education, and based all our plans on evidence and ensuring equity.

"Our role in shaping these plans is a privilege but also a huge responsibility.

"I have lived in Essex my whole life and I care deeply about its future. We must make sure we maintain what makes this place what it is, but also embrace the future and address the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

"We must create a system that drives prosperity for all and continues to protect the most vulnerable in our communities. We must step forward and think afresh what local government can and should be for the rest of this century."

The full business case, which Cabinet members will consider, is available to read within the cabinet agenda here: Cabinet - Wednesday, 17 September

Concern has been raised by opposition members including Conservatives, Reform and independents, that they have had little contribution to the making up of Thurrock's proposals and no opportunity to vote. Last week Nub News reported that independent councillors had forced an extraordinary meeting of the full council to debate the matter and take that vote.

However, the edge was taken off their 'victory' when the council announced yesterday that the meeting will take place on Wednesday, 1 October – five days after the submission will have been sent to Westminster.