Political Group Leaders at Southend-on-Sea City Council have jointly written to government.
This is in response to the statutory consultation on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for Greater Essex, reaffirming their collective support for a five-unitary authority (5UA) model.
The cross-party letter sets out why a five-unitary model is considered the best option to protect local identity, strengthen democratic accountability, deliver sustainable public services and support long-term financial stability.
In their submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Group Leaders highlight that the five-unitary proposal:
- reflects coherent urban, coastal and rural communities across Greater Essex
- is based on independent evidence on financial sustainability and service delivery
- creates councils of a manageable size, better able to withstand financial pressures
- protects democratic representation and community engagement
- aligns with devolution plans, including the incoming Mayoral Strategic Authority
The letter also raises shared concerns about alternative proposals involving three or four unitary authorities, warning that fewer, larger councils would reduce democratic representation, weaken local accountability and increase transition and delivery risks.
Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: "This is the most significant change to local government in a generation, and we have a responsibility to ensure the outcome works for our residents and communities.
"Across political groups, we are united in our view that a five-unitary authority model strikes the right balance between strong local identity, democratic accountability, service quality and financial sustainability. Bigger is not always better, and locally rooted councils matter.
"I would strongly encourage residents, businesses and community organisations to take part in the consultation before it closes, so their views can be considered directly by government.
Have your say - consultation closing soon
The government consultation on Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex closes on Sunday 11 January 2026.
Residents, businesses, voluntary and community groups and anyone with an interest in the future of local government are encouraged to take part in the consultation.
You can read all proposals and summaries on the Greater Essex Joint LGR Hub.
Notes to editors
- Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is a national government programme aimed at replacing two-tier local government structures with single-tier unitary councils
- four different LGR proposals for Greater Essex are currently being consulted on: three, four or five unitary authority models
- Southend-on-Sea City Council, alongside nine other district, borough and city councils, has submitted a proposal supporting five unitary authorities for Greater Essex
- the consultation is being run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and is open to residents, businesses, voluntary and community organisations and other stakeholders
- responses to the consultation will inform the Secretary of State's decision on a preferred option, expected in Spring 2026
- any new unitary councils approved through the process are expected to go live in April 2028
The letter to government was jointly signed by Southend-on-Sea City Council Political Group Leaders:
- Cllr Daniel Cowan - Leader of the Council, Labour and Co-operative Party
- Cllr James Courtenay - Leader of the Conservative Group
- Cllr Steven Wakefield - Independent Group Lead Spokesperson
- Cllr Paul Collins - Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group
- Cllr Tony Cox - Leader of the Southend Reform UK Group
- Cllr Stuart Allen - Green and Progressive Independents Group Spokesperson