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

Local government reorganisation is where the structure and responsibilities of our existing local authorities are reconfigured.

The government wants to move away from the two-tier system of district and county councils. This would mean that all 15 existing councils in Essex at this level would be abolished. Town and parish tier councils would be unaffected.

In their place, the government will create new unitary authorities. The new authorities would deliver most of the key services that residents are used to, such as education and social care, waste and recycling, benefits and parks and green spaces.

To create these new councils, existing unitary, county and district council areas would be reconfigured. These new authorities could have a suggested population of up to 500,000, although the size will depend on each area. This means that Greater Essex would likely have between three and five new councils.

These new councils would replace the existing system on 1 April 2028.

Councils across Greater Essex submitted proposals to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for local government reorganisation at the end of September. Southend-on-Sea City Council worked with 9 of our District Councils across Greater Essex to develop a proposal for 5 new Unitary Councils in Greater Essex. The Council’s Cabinet approved the proposal, the details of the meeting can be found here: Agenda for Cabinet on Monday, 15th September, 2025, 6.00 pm.

The national government who will decide how to reorganise how Greater Essex. Once the government has decided on the new structure, the existing councils will work together to prepare for the creation of the new councils. We will do all we can to ensure that your services and support are unaffected.

LGR proposals: You can view the proposals for local government reorganisation on the Greater Essex Local Government Reorganisation hub here: Proposals | Essex Local Government Reorganisation Hub

The Government will launch a formal public consultation on the proposals for local government in Greater Essex in November.