Councils Devolution Request

 

THREE Essex Councils have asked to participate in the Priority Programme for Devolution.

 Essex County Council, Southend City Council and Thurrock Council have agreed to work together to seek momentous change in the way local government operates in Essex.

 The councils have written to the government to confirm that they want to proceed with devolution and the reorganisation of local councils in the area.

 The letter, sent on 10 January, to the Minister for Local Government confirms that the councils want to be part of the Government’s Priority Programme for Devolution.

 Essex County Council and Thurrock Council will also request the postponement of elections scheduled for May this year in their areas.

 Southend City Council has no planned elections for 2025.

 This follows a series of formal council meetings that took place recently.

 Participation in the Priority Programme for Devolution would also commit authorities to local government reorganisation.

 The Leader of Southend City Council, Coun Daniel Cowan, said: “Devolution offers major opportunities to drive the investment and growth that is needed in Southend-on-Sea and across Greater Essex.

 “Similarly, reorganisation gives the chance to make positive changes to local services and as a well-established unitary authority, we know the benefits of single tier local Government and are well placed to make the most of any changes.

 “We know that for most people terms like reorganisation and devolution will mean little and they rightly just want to know how their services will be improved.

 “That is how we will approach this – firmly focused on better services and outcomes for local people.

 “I am pleased that collectively we have made this momentous decision and submitted the letter to Government to be at the front of the devolution queue and shape the future with our partners across the county.”

 The councils will now wait to hear from the Government on whether Greater Essex has been accepted as part of the Priority Programme for Devolution. The Councils have also committed to working together to develop proposals for local government reorganisation, with full proposals set to be submitted in Autumn 2025 in line with the Government’s timeline.

Read more.

Visit: https://leigh-on-sea.news

Contact us. Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leighonsea.news

Twitter: @leighonsea_news