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 means that all 15 existing councils in Essex at this level are to be abolished. Town and parish tier councils, including Leigh Town Council, are unaffected.
On 25 March 2026, the government selected the proposal for five new unitary authorities in Greater Essex. As a result, Southend-on-Sea will be represented by a new South East Essex unitary authority.
The South East Essex unitary authority will replace the existing authorities Southend-on-Sea City Council, Castle Point Borough Council and Rochford District Council. The services from Essex County Council covering Castle Point and Rochford will also be disaggregated into the new unitary authorities
The new authority will deliver will deliver all the services you rely on, including:
- waste collections
- roads
- housing
- planning
- play areas, parks and green spaces
- leisure centres
- education
- children's services
- adult social care
These new councils will replace the existing system on Spring 2028, subject to approval from parliament.
We remain committed to working with other councils in Essex to achieve the benefits we know that local government reorganisation can bring.