‘Five council’ proposal launches public consultation

June 26, 2025

Residents, businesses and local organisations are being asked to share their views on the future of councils in Essex. A public consultation to give people a chance to have their say has been launched by a number of authorities to guide their proposed vision for new unitary councils across Greater Essex.

The group, which includes Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Chelmsford, Colchester, Maldon, Southend and Uttlesford, is developing a proposal for five new future councils. The Government has asked councils in the area to propose options to reduce the current number of local authorities in Essex and replace them with bigger unitary councils, which will deliver most local services to their residents.

Earlier this year, Essex councils sent an interim proposal to the Government, which indicated some councils had a preference for five new unitary councils, each based around the largest towns and cities in Essex. Some local authorities in the county are working on different proposals for how new councils should be configured, which are expected to propose fewer than five councils.

Councils are changing

Greater Essex currently comprises 15 councils serving nearly 1.9 million residents. Southend and Thurrock operate as unitary authorities, meaning they manage most local services independently. In contrast, the rest of Essex follows a two-tier system: district councils like Basildon, Castle Point and Chelmsford handle local services such as waste collection, street cleaning, and leisure facilities, while Essex County Council oversees broader services including highways, adult social care, and special educational needs.

As part of the Government’s devolution agenda aimed at streamlining local governance, these 15 councils are set to be replaced within the next three years by a smaller number of new unitary authorities. These new bodies will consolidate responsibilities, delivering all local services except those managed by town and parish councils, which will remain unaffected.

Public consultation to gather views across Essex

This exercise offers people a valuable opportunity to share their views at an important stage, helping to shape the final ‘five council’ proposal over the summer. It will outline the creation of five new unitary councils, formed by neighbouring existing councils joining together to create larger authorities that retain a strong local identity and sense of place.

Once the survey has ended, the councils will use the feedback gathered to refine their bid before submitting a final proposal at the end of September. The Government will then consider all the submissions it receives, before deciding how councils should be structured in Essex. New councils are planned to be in place from April 2028.

Chair of the ‘five councils’ group, Southend-on-Sea City Council Leader Cllr Daniel Cowan, is urging people to share their views at a critical time for local services:

“Essex is a fantastic place, proud of its transparent and genuine spirit. We’re now facing the biggest change in local government in 50 years, and your voice matters more than ever. We can’t shape a proposal without first listening to what you have to say.

“Our vision is for five stronger, more resilient councils that still feel rooted in the communities they serve - places that feel like home. But we won’t make any final decisions without hearing directly from the people we represent.

“This consultation is your chance to tell us what matters most to you, your family, or your business - wherever you live in Essex. It only takes around ten minutes to complete the survey, but your input could help shape the future of local services for generations to come.”

Councillor Stephen Robinson, Chelmsford City Council Leader and the group’s Deputy Chair, said:

"Change is coming. The Government wants fewer councils that serve larger areas and deliver most services to their residents. Staying as we are now in Essex isn't an option, but you can help influence our plans for what comes next.

"Councils must present their final proposals for the future of local government in Greater Essex in just three months' time. Big decisions need to be made, so please take part in this conversation before the consultation ends on Sunday 20 July."

How to take part

People can have their say between 25 June 2025 and 20 July 2025 by visiting https://shorturl.at/hapld.

Alternative formats are also available on request. You can ask for a paper version of the survey by calling 01702 215408 or by emailing consultations@southend.gov.uk.

The ‘five councils’ proposal

The five new councils would be made up of the following neighbouring authorities, based around the largest towns and cities in Essex and existing, functional geography:

Harlow Council, Epping Forest District Council, Uttlesford District Council

Colchester City Council, Braintree District Council, Tendring District Council

Chelmsford City Council, Brentwood Borough Council, Maldon District Council

Basildon Borough Council, Thurrock Council

Southend-on-Sea City Council, Castle Point Borough Council, Rochford District Council