Purpose

In readiness for the Executive Decision to be taken by Cabinet at its meeting due to be held on 12 September 2025, in response to the Invitation from the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution to develop a proposal for local government reorganisation it is proposed that Cabinet RECOMMENDS TO COUNCIL:-

(a)     following an update to be provided by the Leader and Chief Executive, at its meeting on 14^th August, Council considers the available information on the options for Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex, as they have been announced and formulated; and

(b)     indicates its views on those options, and the preference of the Leader, based upon Council’s previous decision “to ensure that the District of Tendring is in the best possible position” and “the voice of Tendring (and north Essex more generally) is as strong as possible … recognising its opportunities and challenges”.

Background

On 5 February 2025, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution wrote to Leaders of Councils in two-tier areas and Unitary Councils in Essex, formally inviting them, together with the other council leaders in the area, to develop a proposal for local government reorganisation. The formal invitation set out further detail on the criteria against which proposals will be assessed, guidance for the development of the proposals and the timeline for this process.  Councils are expected to submit a final proposal on Local Government Reorganisation by 26 September 2025. 

The Government’s policy position for local government reorganisation has significant implications for this Council, the residents and businesses of the District and local Town and Parish Councils and those in unparished areas.  Consequently, it is appropriate, and follows previous practice, to enable all District Councillors to have this opportunity to consider the intentions for the District and to provide the Leader of the Council and Cabinet with its views, prior to a formal Executive Decision being made on the options before them.

A report is not being provided to support this recommendation, reliance is made on the content of previous reports to Council in January and March 2025, which contained the relevant information to support those decisions, and set out the process and criteria to consider at this stage.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that –

(a)     following an update to be provided by the Leader and Chief Executive, at its meeting on 14th August 2025, Council considers the available information on the options for Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex, as they have been announced and formulated; and

(b)   indicates its views on those options, and the preference of the Leader, based upon Council’s previous decision “to ensure that the District of Tendring is in the best possible position” and “the voice of Tendring (and north Essex more generally) is as strong as possible … recognising its opportunities and challenges”.

In readiness for the Executive Decision to be taken by Cabinet at its meeting due to be held on 12 September 2025, in response to the Invitation from the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution to develop a proposal for local government reorganisation the Leader of the Council had proposed that Cabinet recommended to Council that -

(a)     following an update to be provided by the Leader and Chief Executive, at its meeting on 14th August, Council considers the available information on the options for Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex, as they have been announced and formulated; and

(b)     indicates its views on those options, and the preference of the Leader, based upon Council’s previous decision “to ensure that the District of Tendring is in the best possible position” and “the voice of Tendring (and north Essex more generally) is as strong as possible … recognising its opportunities and challenges.

In considering that proposal Cabinet recalled that, on 5 February 2025, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution had written to Leaders of Councils in two-tier areas and Unitary Councils in Essex, formally inviting them, together with the other council leaders in the area, to develop a proposal for local government reorganisation. The formal invitation had set out further detail on the criteria against which proposals would be assessed, guidance for the development of the proposals and the timeline for this process. Councils were expected to submit a final proposal on Local Government Reorganisation by 26 September 2025.

Cabinet was aware that the Government’s policy position for local government reorganisation had significant implications for this Council, the residents and businesses of the District and local Town and Parish Councils and those in unparished areas. Consequently, it was appropriate, and followed previous practice, to enable all District Councillors to have this opportunity to consider the intentions for the District and to provide the Leader of the Council and Cabinet with its views, prior to a formal Executive Decision being made on the options before them.

Members noted that a report had not been provided to support the Leader’s proposal, with reliance made on the content of previous reports to Council in January and March 2025, which contained the relevant information to support those decisions, and set out the process and criteria to consider at this stage.

The Chief Executive (Ian Davidson) informed the meeting of the current LGR position including outlining the different submissions that were being drawn up by Essex County Council, Southend Council (on behalf of a number of Essex Councils), Rochford Council and Thurrock Council. Mr. Davidson expressed disappointment that he had been unable to provide any details at this meeting of the contents of two finance reports that had been commissioned from external sources. In deciding which submission to favour, Members would need to balance considerations of ‘Community versus Cost’.

Mr. Davidson informed Members that work was ongoing with the Council’s external partners to ensure that vital working relationships on health, education and other community-based matters were maintained post LGR.

The Chief Executive reminded Cabinet that the Government would decide, post 26 September 2025, the options that would go out to public consultation and then make its final decision on the option to be implemented (likely February 2026).

Having duly considered the Leader of the Council’s proposal:-

It was moved by Councillor I J Henderson, seconded by Councillor Scottand:-

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that –

(a)     following an update to be provided by the Leader and Chief Executive, at its meeting on 14th August 2025, Council considers the available information on the options for Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex, as they have been announced and formulated; and

(b)   indicates its views on those options, and the preference of the Leader, based upon Council’s previous decision “to ensure that the District of Tendring is in the best possible position” and “the voice of Tendring (and north Essex more generally) is as strong as possible … recognising its opportunities and challenges”.