We now have a clearer picture on how our local councils will be organised, if the Government’s plans for local government reorganisation in Essex ever go ahead.
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, has chosen a five unitary proposal, which will see the responsibilities of Essex County Council and Epping Forest District Council merged with Harlow and Uttlesford Councils to create one West Essex Council, while Brentwood Borough Council’s role will merge with Chelmsford and Maldon to form the Mid Essex Council.
I’m not convinced this will do much to improve things for my constituents in Brentwood and Ongar, and is going to cost the tax payer a considerable amount of money and inconvenience over many years before everything settles down.
However, for the foreseeable future, services will continue to operate as normal and any new authorities are not expected to come into effect until April 2028, with elections for ‘shadow’ authorities in May 2027.
This means the work of Essex County Council and Epping Forest District Council continues as is for now, so local elections are due to take place this May. I would urge you to make sure you are registered to vote, or have a postal vote or proxy vote in place if you are likely to be away on May 7th to ensure your voice can be heard.
