Devolution another step closer as councils accepted onto Devolution Priority Programme

February 10, 2025

The Government has today (5 February) written to Southend-on-Sea City Council, Essex County Council, and Thurrock Council accepting their request to be part of the Devolution Priority Programme.

This follows the councils voting and then writing to the Government on 10 January requesting inclusion on the programme and committing to local government reorganisation.

Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, says: “This is another important milestone as we move towards delivering major change across Southend-on-Sea and the wider county.

“Devolution will be momentous, bringing more powers and funding into the area, and allowing us to deliver major projects, better services and improve the lives of local people and business. I look forward to continuing to work hard to deliver on this.

“Regarding local government reorganisation, most importantly we need to make sure that this is focussed on what is best for our residents and businesses, and will work with everyone locally and across Southend-on-Sea to ensure that.”

The councils will now begin working with each other and the Government as part of the programme.