5 Unitary Authority Consultation
‘Five council’ proposal launches public consultation
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.
Cllr Dave Blackwell, Leader of Castle Point Borough Council said: “We are committed to making sure that any new council structure reflects the real needs and priorities of Castle Point . I strongly encourage everyone to take part, because the voices we hear now will directly shape how services are delivered in the years ahead. This is your council, your community, and your future.”
Cllr Warren Gibson, Deputy Leader of Castle Point Borough Council said: “While Local Government Reorganisation was not our preferred path, our priority now is making sure Castle Point gets the best possible outcome. We will continue to engage constructively to ensure our residents' interests are protected throughout this process. This consultation gives our community an opportunity to have their voices heard.”
How to take part
People can have their say between 25 June 2025 and 20 July 2025 by visiting Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex | Your say Southend . 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