The Board will receive a presentation on the above-mentioned matters from the Chief Executive of Tendring District Council.

The Chief Executive of Tendring District Council gave a brief introduction to the Government’s White Paper proposals for devolution of Whitehall Powers to new Mayoral Combined County Authorities (such as for Greater Essex) and for the simplification of local government structures where there were County Councils and District Councils by the creation of ‘all purpose’ Unitary Councils.  The proposed Mayoral Combined County Authorities were proposed to administer matters such as Local Transport and public transport functions, including bus franchising and responsibility for an area-wide Local Transport Plan, devolution of non-apprenticeship adult skills functions through a consolidated skills funding pot, production of a Spatial Development (including Housing) Strategy, responsibility for the delivery of Growth Hubs, Green jobs and skills coordination role. 

The Combined Authority would bring together county/Unitary Councils in their area.  In the case of Greater Essex this would, initially be, Essex County Council, Thurrock Council and Southend-on-Sea City Council.  A Mayor would also be elected who would join the Combined Authority.  This would involve the transfer of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s responsibilities to the Combined Authority.  The Mayor would also become a member of local Health Integrated Care Partnerships and be able to be their chair or co-chair.  The intention was for the Greater Essex Combined Authority to be in place later this year with elections for the Mayor to be on 7 May 2026. 

Emma Taylor referenced a Government consultation event being held at MAB221, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford Campus on 31st March, between 6:00pm and 8:00pm.  A Government online consultation form was also available to submit views until the close of consultation on 13 April 2025.

In respect of the stated aim of simplification of local government structures, the 15 existing Councils in Greater Essex and the Police and Crime Commissioner, were working on proposals for a series of unitary councils to replace them.  The Government had indicated that a population of 500,000 would be a benchmark for the minimum size of a unitary council although that had been qualified in other statements including a reference to a minimum of 350,000 people.  While there were differences of opinion across Greater Essex on the number of unitaries to submit to Government by the deadline of 26 September 2025, taking Braintree District, Colchester City and Tendring District together, there was a population of over 500,000.  On this basis, the three Council Leaders had agreed to work together on unitary proposals for North East Essex.

Some key considerations in the development of sustainable unitary plans for Greater Essex would be the level of demand for services such as Adults and Children’s Social Care and the funding formula to address those needs.  There was also the issue of existing Council debt and how that would be dealt with in any new structure. While Tendring District Council was free of long-term debt (other than for its housing stock), there were a number of other Councils with substantial long term debt.  Thurrock’s debt exceeded £1bn.

It was envisaged that new unitaries would come into being formally on 1 April 2028.  Prior to that there would be elections to the Council (or rather, initially, its shadow authority) on 6 May 2027.

Within Tendring District Council’s area 3 in 5 households lived in an area with a Parish/Town Council.  The 2 in 5 households in the District that did not have a Parish/Town Council were all those in the Jaywick Sands, Clacton-on-Sea and Holland-on-Sea areas.  While Tendring District Council had committed itself to formally looking at this matter ahead of the process of local government reorganisation referred to above, renewed impetus had been generated due to that process.  The formal review (known as a Community Government Review) would start on 1 July 2025 and the Board (and its individual Members) would be asked for views on the establishment of (a) Parish Council(s).  All households in the three areas mentioned would also be asked for their views and the Council would need to give weight to the views expressed.  If (a) Parish Council(s) were established, the existing Tendring District Council could consider whether it would be appropriate and sustainable for the new Parish Council(s) to take on certain assets of the District Council.  These types of discussions were already underway with other Town Councils in Tendring District. 

Cllr. Harris reported that the local MP, Nigel Farage, was in support of a Town Council for Clacton-on-Sea. 

It was AGREED to thank Ian Davidson for his presentation and to welcome the information provided.  The ability for the Board to be kept up to date with these matters would be welcomed.