ESSEX County Council’s Cabinet has agreed the Greater Essex Interim Local Government Reorganisation plan can be submitted to the government.

A major step forward to transform how essential local services are delivered and reduce costs for residents and councils was taken by Essex County Council yesterday (Tuesday 18 March).

Cabinet Members agreed that the interim plan for local government reorganisation (LGR) in Greater Essex should be submitted to the Government.

This sets out how LGR could transform councils to achieve more for residents and businesses, by streamlining services and reducing duplication between the existing two tiers of local government.

At this stage there are no firm recommendations around the future number of unitary authorities and their geographic borders in Greater Essex.

Along with partners, the county council will be gathering evidence over the coming months to inform the final business cases submitted to the Government in September.

At the council’s Cabinet meeting yesterday, Leader, Councillor Kevin Bentley, commented on what he described as a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

He said: “This is a momentous point in our collective journey to improve the lives of our residents, ensure they have access to better opportunities, and to transform local services – now and in the future.

“All 15 councils and the office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in Greater Essex have worked incredibly hard to develop this joint submission which, I am proud to say, has residents and businesses at its heart. We are not only doing this for the people of Essex now, but for future generations who will benefit too.

“Local government reorganisation is about bringing decision making about essential services closer to people – something we know is important to them. Our work will always be about ensuring the voices of cities, towns and villages are heard, and this will be a continued focus in the detailed plans.

“We don’t underestimate the scale of what is being proposed. Work will continue between now and September to gather evidence and inform the final structures that will help us to achieve economies of scale and protect vital front-line services from unnecessary risk.

“We need to ensure the new councils – however many this turns out to be – are sustainable. The Government will consider this as part of their final decision and so we must get this once-in-a-generation opportunity right.

“We remain fully committed to continue working with our partners over the coming months to secure the long-term future of our great county.”

The interim plan is being considered at meetings held by each of the 15 councils in Greater Essex, prior to it being submitted to government on 21 March.

Work will then continue up to September to inform the final business cases which will be submitted to the Government .

The Government will decide what the final structure will be for Greater Essex councils.

Read the interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex.