RADICAL plans to merge local councils into larger authorities will mean an Essex council “will no longer exist,” according to a senior Tory councillor reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

Will Russell, leader of the Conservative Group in Brentwood, has raised concerns about the government’s plans for major reforms of local council structures and insists “we must recognise that we don’t know what we’ve lost until it has gone.”

Under the plans, Essex could see a number of councils merged to form much larger authorities, with elected mayors who could have a number of responsibilities and powers. Details and exact plans are yet to be announced, but councils and council bosses are being given a chance to outline their wishes for the future. 

Currently, Essex has a two-tier system, with 12 district councils under one county council and two independent unitary authorities. Powers, responsibilities and services are split up between district and county councils, while unitary councils run all services independently from the county council. In Essex, the district councils are Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle Point, Chelmsford, Colchester, Epping Forest, Harlow, Maldon, Rochford, Tendring, and Uttlesford. The unitary authorities are Thurrock and Southend, and the county council is Essex County Council.

Mr Russell, who is also a councillor for Brizes, Stondon Massey and South Weald, said: “By 2027, Brentwood Council will no longer exist. In a single-tier system, local councils are often removed from the day-to-day realities of their constituents. Decisions are made by a handful of officials who may lack an intimate understanding of the local landscape. When local issues are handled at a distance, the rich tapestry of voices that once contributed to the dialogue is diminished, leaving many feeling unheard and unrepresented.

“The single-tier model, however, often results in fewer opportunities for public input as the decision-making process becomes more opaque. This can lead to apathy among residents who feel that their voices are irrelevant in a system that prioritises efficiency over engagement.

“The emotional toll of this loss is profound. Communities that once thrived on active participation and local pride now find themselves grappling with disillusionment. The very essence of democracy—where every voice matters and every vote counts—is at risk. The vibrant discussions that once filled town halls have been replaced by bureaucratic meetings, where decisions are made behind closed doors, far removed from the eyes and ears of the public. We must recognise that we don’t know what we’ve lost until it has gone.”  

Essex County Council is set to ask the Government to postpone the ordinary elections to Essex County Council that were due to be held on May 1, 2025, initially by 12 months to May 2026. 

The Government says the “landmark” proposed changes are “unleashing power from Whitehall back into local communities that know their areas best. Mayors will be equipped to drive growth and improve living standards as part of the government’s plan for Change. Greater devolution is a key way to kickstart economic growth, put more money in people’s pockets and put politics back in the service of working people.”