Braintree District Council’s Leader has confirmed the council’s preferred option for the future of local government in Greater Essex as the 3 unitary council proposal.
This follows a constructive debate held at the council’s Full Council meeting on Monday 15 September, where councillors shared views on all four proposals developed for Greater Essex - an option for a three unitary model, one for a five unitary model and two proposals for models of four unitary councils.
There was a clear preference (65%) from councillors who indicated they favoured the three unitary authority model, a proposal led by Essex County Council, which would group Braintree with Colchester, Tendring and Uttlesford, alongside Essex.
Councillors shared views on the proposal, including it would help make services more financially secure, create more opportunities for growth, bring together areas that naturally fit, and build on the strong relationships the council already has with neighbouring councils.
This helped inform the Leader’s statement made to his Cabinet on Monday 22 September, and today made his formal decision to support the 3 unitary proposal ahead of the submissions to the Government by 26 September.
Councillor Graham Butland, Leader of Braintree District Council, said: “Our Full Council had an excellent quality debate on local government reorganisation for Greater Essex, informed by cross-party discussion. Whilst the decision on the unitaries will be with central government, it was only right that we fully explored all the unitary authority models, giving all councillors the opportunity to carefully consider what best serves our communities in the years ahead.
“Whatever the outcome, it’s vital that future arrangements deliver accountable and financially sustainable organisations to provide for all our communities across Essex.
“I want to further reassure residents that we will ensure that the services that they value and rely on now will continue to be delivered through and into the new arrangements in 2028.”
Once all proposals are submitted, the Government is expected to launch a public consultation in the autumn when the Council, alongside residents, businesses and other stakeholders, will be able to have their say on the proposals before a final decision is made by the Secretary of State, which is anticipated to be in spring 2026.
Following this decision, legislation will be passed to allow the changes, and elections for new shadow unitary councils will be held in May 2027, with a view to the new unitaries being fully functional in April 2028.
Residents and businesses interested in reading the proposals and understanding more about local government reorganisation in Greater Essex can find the most up-to-date information via the Greater Essex LGR Hub.