To endorse the proposal that the consultation response to the Government’s Greater Essex Devolution Consultation be undertaken by the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism (Deputy Leader). The response on behalf of Tendring District Council could either be standalone or form part of an Essex-wide response to go forward as part of the open consultation which closes on 13 April 2025.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)     acknowledges work is continuing to ensure that the District of Tendring is in the best possible position should devolution go ahead; and

(b)   endorses the Leader of the Council approving the Council’s response to the Essex Devolution Consultation, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Regeneration and Tourism.

Cabinet considered a report of the Economic Growth, Regeneration & Tourism Portfolio Holder (A.6) which asked Cabinet to endorse the proposal that the consultation response to the Government’s Greater Essex Devolution Consultation be undertaken by the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Regeneration and Tourism (Deputy Leader). The response on behalf of Tendring District Council could either be standalone or form part of an Essex-wide response to go forward as part of the open consultation which closed on 13 April 2025. 

Members were aware that the Government had accepted Greater Essex onto the ‘Devolution Priority Programme’, but before taking a decision on whether to proceed to make the necessary legislation to enact devolution in Essex, the Government had launched a consultation seeking views from interested parties on a proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority. The text of the consultation and its questions was included as Appendix A to the Portfolio Holder’s report (A.6) and was open until 13 April 2025.

The consultation sought views from those who lived and worked across Greater Essex on the effect of establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority in the area and included questions on the proposed geography and how the Mayoral Combined County Authority would make decisions.

It was reported that Combined County Authorities were organisations made up of a group of councils who came together over larger areas that people recognised and worked in. They allowed councils to work together in a structured way and to take decisions over a wider area footprint, with powers and responsibilities being held by that Combined County Authority. Combined County Authorities did not replace the councils within the area delivering services, those would continue to be provided by the relevant council.

Cabinet was informed that a Combined County Authority could be led by a directly elected Mayor. This was then known as a Mayoral Combined County Authority. The Government’s consultation stated: “it is supportive of places having Mayors because they have a mandate to take big decisions affecting more people, they have convening power to tackle shared problems, and they are accountable to the local electorate for the decisions they take. Mayors in other parts of the country have become vital local leaders, delivering on the promise of change in their area to drive growth, more joined-up delivery, and earning trust.”

Members were cognisant that Essex had an ‘upper-tier’ Essex County Council and ‘lower-tier’ district, borough and city councils – with responsibility for local services split between the two tiers. In addition, there were the two unitary councils of Southend and Thurrock. The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 had introduced Combined County Authorities consisting of upper tier local councils only - so in Greater Essex: Essex County Council (ECC), Southend and Thurrock. As a district council, Tendring District Council could not be a full constituent member of the Combined County Authority but it could participate as a non-constituent member and serve on committees.

Cabinet was advised that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148