THE most radical change to local Government in half a century will cause a “multi-billion pound upheaval” and must be questioned on whether it “should be on the list of priorities” the Residents for Uttlesford party says reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

Residents for Uttlesford, which runs Uttlesford Council, say the Government is “silent about the diseconomies of breaking up very large authorities like Essex”.

This comes as the Government is pushing on with plans to scrap all councils and replace them with larger authorities with more responsibilities and powers. In Essex, it will see all 15 councils abolished and replaced with fewer authorities, potentially up to five.

The independent party says: “Essex County Council alone employs over 7,500 people. It is one of the largest local authorities in England. To dismantle it and 14 other councils in Essex and reform into different councils is a hugely complex and expensive mega project.

“With the existential threats from climate change, threats to democracy and Europe from Vladimir Putin’s war, threats from President Donald Trump of a trade war, the NHS unable to cope with A&E and waiting lists, the Government desperate for cash, social media mega mad men deliberately putting out lies to foment trouble, and food banks being ever more necessary, it has to be questionable as to whether years of disruption and cost, to council tax payers, not directly to the Government, to tinker with local government should be anywhere on the list of priorities.

“They have done no business case for this multi-billion pound upheaval. They talk of greater efficiency but are silent about the diseconomies of breaking up very large authorities like Essex. There is no evidence that a greater size compared with district councils is better. For example, Essex Children’s Social Care Services are outstanding on the Ofsted rating. Thurrock, already a unitary and nine times smaller and with a vast debt, is also rated outstanding. The efficiencies of councils follow how well they are led and administered, not their size.”

It comes after Essex County Council, Thurrock and Southend Council agreed to write to the Government supporting the proposed change and cancellation of the elections next year. Essex currently has two types of council structure, with two tiers of local government and unitary authorities. Under the two-tier system, which includes Essex County Council, Basildon, Uttlesford, Castle Point Council and others, housing, bin collections, education and other services are split. Thurrock and Southend run all services independently.