Council’s Devolution Discussion - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Council’s Devolution Discussion – ROCHFORD Councillors are set to discuss Local Government Reorganisation at Full Council on March 18.

Council’s Devolution Discussion - ROCHFORD Councillors are set to discuss Local Government Reorganisation at Full Council on March 18.

ROCHFORD Councillors are set to discuss Local Government Reorganisation at Full Council on March 18.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is on the agenda at Rochford District Council’s meeting of Full Council, as councillors are set to discuss the interim plan. All 15 councils across Greater Essex will consider the interim plan, prior to the deadline for it to be submitted to the Government on 21 March.

The document follow’s Greater Essex’s inclusion in the Government’s Priority Programme for Devolution. The Government invited authorities to work together, alongside the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, to produce plans for how all-purpose unitary councils could improve the delivery of essential public services across the county.

The interim plan being discussed next week includes an in-principle preference for five new unitary councils as the right model for Essex’s future local governance, whilst retaining a sense of local place and communities.

Whilst the interim plan does not include the potential geographical make-up of the five unitary councils, councillors will be asked to support further discussions and investigation of Rochford District Council, Castle Point Borough Council and Southend City Council, as near neighbours – becoming a larger unitary authority.

Coun James Newport, Leader of Rochford District Council, said: “Whilst the Government have initiated this, we can’t bury our heads and hope it doesn’t happen, that is not what is best for our District.

“To best represent our residents and get the best outcome for our District, we have to be involved in the discussions and draft proposals. And I want to be clear, at this stage, that is all these are, draft proposals and draft plans.”

Coun Michael Hoy, Deputy Leader of Rochford District Council, added: “If Council agrees that this interim plan is submitted on 21 March, then work starts on a comprehensive investigation of all the options to present to the Government in September, as it is the Government who makes the final decision.

“We will continue to work with other Essex Councils to represent our District and try to get the best proposal for our residents.”

To see the agenda and reports going to Full Council visit our website, www.rochford.gov.uk.

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