THURROCK Council leader Cllr John Kent delivered a message to borough residents at the start of the authority's cabinet meeting on Wednesday (22 January) evening, backing the planned changes to local democracy.

The senior Labour member of the council outlined his reasons for supporting pending devolution across Essex, which will eventually see Thurrock Council amalgamted into a new council.

He set out his thoughts on what devolution and local government reorganisation could mean for the borough, saying: "There is rightly a lot of interest in the government's White Paper on devolution and local government reorganisation, and what it will mean for Thurrock.

"It's inevitable there will be some nervousness about change and I know our residents and council staff have lots of questions about what it will mean. But I want to be clear that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our small borough to become part of something stronger, more ambitious, and more impactful, for our residents.

"We will lobby for Thurrock relentlessly, whilst recognising that whatever we agree to must work for all of the 1.9 million people who live in Greater Essex, for many years to come.

"I cannot overstate how important it is for us to grasp this opportunity. The Government has been clear that their plans will happen, and we can either be in the driving seat as part of the priority programme, helping to shape a future that is right for local people, or we can sit back and let it be done to us.

"I know that local people want a say in the changes that affect them, and I promise you and them that they will have that opportunity. If the Government gives us the green light to move forward in developing a combined authority for Essex, and creating new larger councils in the region, we will ensure that everyone has a voice and is listened to.

"Despite the unhelpful speculation we've seen from some ahead of any Government decision, there is a great deal we don't know yet, including which of our neighbours we will join forces with to create new, larger, unitary councils in south Essex.

"But we do know that larger councils in Essex will have more bargaining power, will have greater economies of scale, and will be able to ensure that the fantastic opportunities we have in our area really benefit the people who live here.

"The Government recognises that years of cuts to council funding have eroded our ability to deliver services of the quality residents deserve. While we have some excellent services in Thurrock, I believe that we can do even more by working with others, taking the money we save by having one IT system instead of 3 for example, and ploughing that back into frontline services.

"I am ambitious for our people, and they deserve better than the failings of the past. Of course there are still challenges to overcome, but working in a new way, focused on communities and people, rather than clinging to old structures, will really help us unlock the very best for our area. I am committed to finding a solution that makes sense, has our communities at its heart and will deliver excellent services for years to come.

"We hope to hear from the Government very soon, and I'm optimistic that the response will be positive.

"In the meantime we are having positive and constructive conversations with our upper tier neighbouring councils - Southend-on-Sea and Essex County – who we will be working with to shape these plans. I look forward to working with all members of the council, our staff and most importantly our communities, to create an exciting and positive future for the people of Thurrock."

The cabinet meeting and Cllr Kent's statement can be viewed via this link.