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Could three Essex councils become one?

Simon Dedman/BBC A man in a suit stands up speaking in an ornate council chamber full of elected members. There is a large stain glass window behind the councillors in Colchester City Council's main chamber.Simon Dedman/BBC
Colchester City Council, along with Braintree and Tendring, say they would make up "a sensible geography" (pictured is Liberal Democrat council leader David King standing in the meeting chamber)

Three council leaders have told the BBC it would be "sensible" to merge into one local authority if radical reform of local government goes ahead.

Colchester, Braintree and Tendring councils could form a North East Essex unitary authority by 2028.

The leaders of the three councils said in a joint statement they had "a strong track record of successful delivery [together]".

Essex County Council leader Kevin Bentley, who is one the drivers of this major shake-up, said: "I am delighted that councils are coming together to deliver real change and benefits to residents."

Essex is a two-tier system of local government - made up of 12 district councils, two so-called unitary authorities and one county council.

But work is under way to trim this down to only a few unitary authorities.

Getty Images The pier at Clacton from above. The helter skelter and various other attractions are visible, including the ferris wheel. In the foreground is the beach and buildings near the shore.Getty Images
A North East Essex council would be made up of Braintree, Colchester and Tendring (pictured is Clacton Pier)

A North East Essex council would look after half a million residents - providing services for everything including social care and dealing with waste.

Essex would likely end up with four or five councils if the North East Essex proposal garners support.

Bentley, a Conservative, told the BBC: "It is important that economic evidence leads the conversations that will take place, but reducing duplication and bringing value are critical."

Braintree, Colchester and Tendring already work together on projects like new garden communities. Construction on the A1331 to link 9,000 new homes outside of Colchester has already begun.

The leaders' enthusiasm for this reorganisation varies.

Mark Stephenson, independent leader of Tendring, told the BBC: "I was against it - but it is now moving forward and I have to think of what is best for Tendring."

Graham Butland, Conservative Leader for Braintree, is a long-term cheerleader.

These devolution deals - which are being encouraged by Labour in Westminster - are aimed at giving local councils more powers over services including public transport, infrastructure and the ability to regulate bike-hire schemes.

Butland admitted: "It's a much more ambitious devolution deal than we got from the previous government."

'Stitch up'

Meanwhile, Brentwood Borough Council is considering setting up an extraordinary meeting to discuss the changes.

Will Russell, the Conservative opposition leader, warns changing the number and structure of councils "could lead to a greater disconnect between local councils and the communities they serve".

Independent councillors in Uttlesford have described it as "a stitch up".

Thurrock and Southend - the two unitary councils - have supported moving forward with the devolution deals.

Devolution timeline

  • End of January - Government to decide whether to progress its devolution programme and cancel local elections in May
  • End of March - If plans develop at pace, outline proposals are published
  • Spring to summer 2025 - Public consultation
  • Autumn 2025 - Plans finalised with government
  • May 2026 - First election for a greater Essex mayor
  • May 2027 - Elections to new unitary authorities
  • 2028 - Essex County Council expects to be abolished along with the existing authorities and new councils take over

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