Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for Southend-on-Sea

What is Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)?

The Council is participating in the Government's fast-track Devolution Priority Programme. This is a big step towards devolution for Southend and the wider Essex area.

The Council has also worked with other councils in Essex to submit a proposal for local government reorganisation.

Devolution means transferring powers and funding from the government to local areas. Local Government Reorganisation aims to replace Essex’s current two-tier council system with a single layer of new unitary councils. This makes it simpler.

There are no immediate changes to how we operate, or the services we provide. Our commitment to excellent services remains the same.

Our electoral cycle

Being part of the Devolution Priority Programme does not change our electoral cycle.

We have not asked to postpone any of Southend's planned local elections.

We have an electoral cycle of elections-by-thirds. This is where a third of the councillors are elected every year for three years, with no elections in the 4th year. As a result, no local elections were planned for 2025.

Local elections planned for 2026 remain unaffected.

Further information

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