FOLLOWING last week’s Full Council meeting and ahead of Corporate Overview and Scrutiny next week, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Lynn Worrall, has announced Thurrock Council’s emerging preferred option for four new local authorities for Greater Essex, as part of local government reorganisation.

The government has been clear that it wants to see local government simplified across the country and here in Essex, local authorities are engaging with their residents and stakeholders on what shape and number of new local authorities might be needed to replace the 15 existing councils.

Thurrock Council launched its own engagement earlier in July, seeking views on the issues residents of the borough want to see prioritised in any new reorganisation. That engagement is helping shape the thinking of the Leader and her Cabinet as the deadline to submit proposals on local government in Essex approaches in September.

The council has been working hard assessing each of the options that were available. Financial analysis and the implications of Thurrock Council’s debt were important considerations when reviewing the various configurations of new authorities which included Thurrock. This approach has helped the Council reach the conclusion that this four-authority model is the right one.

Cllr. Worrall said: “Most of the councils in Essex are working hard in their own communities to develop proposals as to what the landscape of local government in Essex could look like in future. The big question is this: how many councils is right for Thurrock and Essex? For our part, it has become clear that some of the models and ideas put forward by other councils simply will not work for all the people of Thurrock or for the people of Greater Essex.

“A model of only having three very large unitary authorities doesn’t really look like sensible geographies and would simply be too far removed from the local communities that will rely on them. The five-model option, although it feels more local, is not viable on financial grounds. The collective debt of councils across the whole of greater Essex creates the risk of a big government bail-out would be needed to make this plan work.

“As a result of our own analysis, we believe that a four-model option is the right one for both Thurrock and Essex. Four authorities operating in Essex strikes the right balance between financial viability and decision-making being closer to those whom we serve. However, we do not intend to make the decision today – residents are already engaging on this issue in their hundreds through our own online survey. It is right that we conclude that work before making a final decision.

“I want to thank those elected Members who have worked so hard on the Member Working Group which is reviewing the options for the future, and for the support and challenge from Corporate Oversight and Scrutiny, with whom I look forward to talking about our decision. Their continuing efforts are greatly appreciated. Additionally, I want to thank those residents and stakeholders of the borough who are already engaging with us about it.

“Our focus at this time must be on improving Thurrock Council on behalf of its residents and securing a future local government landscape in Essex that is accountable, transparent, sustainable and provides value-for-money.”