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Written question asked by James McMurdock (Independent (affiliation)) on Friday, 2 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 January 2026. It was answered by Alison McGovern (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 January 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.


Local Government: Essex

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what representations he has received from Thurrock Council regarding the preferred restructuring of Essex councils.

Answer

Basildon Borough Council, Castle Point Council, Essex County Council, Rochford Council, Southend-on-Sea Council and Thurrock Council, together with 9 other councils in Essex, submitted four proposals for unitary local government in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.

Southend-on-Sea City Council, Chelmsford City Council, Basildon Borough Council, Brentwood Borough Council, Castle Point Borough Council, Colchester City Council, Harlow District Council, Maldon District Council, Tendring District Council and Uttlesford District Council proposed 5 unitary councils.

Essex County Council, Braintree District Council and Epping Forest District Council proposed 3 unitary councils.

Rochford District Council proposed 4 unitary councils.

Thurrock Council proposed a different 4 unitary councils.

The 15 principal councils collectively wrote to the department to state that whilst there was no consensus on one proposal, there was collective agreement that regardless of the final decision, all partners are committed to working together to ensure that whichever model is selected is delivered in the best possible way.

The 15 principal councils in the area were invited to respond to the statutory consultation on the four proposals, which closed on 11 January. The House will be updated in due course on the outcome of the consultation.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
102492
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Essex Local government Reorganisation Thurrock Council
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk