Since Autumn 2022, Leaders and Councillors from across Greater Essex (Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council ) have been talking about what a devolution deal with the Government might look like here, and how communities could benefit.
Devolution is the transfer of money and powers down from central government to local areas, putting them in charge of deciding where and how money is spent.
For us this could mean more funding and greater control over important issues such as:
- health
- planning
- transport
- skills
- economic growth
- infrastructure
Based on similar deals in other areas, it could also mean as much as £1 billion in new money from the Government.
The Leaders of the three councils, the other Leaders across Essex, and the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner have been working on a draft ‘Expression of Interest’ document.
This sets out the main points and areas that we want to look at. It does not commit our areas to anything. It is a way to start the conversation with the Government.
The three councils have now approved the draft document, and it was submitted to Government on Friday 24th March.
You can read the document on our democracy website.