Government accepts devolution request
Southend-on-Sea, Essex and Thurrock have been accepted as one of the areas to be within the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme.
Following council meetings across Essex in January, Southend-on-Sea City Council, Essex County Council, and Thurrock Council wrote to the Minister for Local Government to request participation in the government's Priority Programme for Devolution.
On 5th February 2025, we received confirmation from the Government that Essex is one of the areas to have been accepted onto the programme.
The Government has also confirmed that the elections scheduled for May this year for Essex County Council and Thurrock Council will be suspended.
Work will also go ahead with a view to developing proposals on Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex, with initial proposals on new unitary authority structures expected to be submitted later in the Spring.
We will now work with colleagues at Essex County Council and Thurrock Council and the Minister in terms of next steps on Devolution, including a forthcoming public consultation, and keep you updated on progress and any key developments.
If you would like to find out more about Devolution, please visit the LGA website that should hopefully answer any questions you may have.