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Latest Update -  15 January 2026

On Tuesday 13 January, Thurrock council's Cabinet members met to discuss a Ministerial request for views on the postponement of local elections, received on 18 December 2025. This was then discussed among all 49 Councillors at an Extraordinary Council meeting on Wednesday 14 January.

This was at the request of the Minister for Local Government and Homelessness, who had asked those councils who have submitted Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposals, like us in Thurrock, to consider and discuss what impact going ahead with local elections in 2026 might have on the council’s capacity to deliver LGR. The paper attached lays out some of the issues that Cabinet members considered and discussed. 

Following discussion at Cabinet and Full Council, Cllr Lynn Worrall, Leader of Thurrock Council, wrote to the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness to set out all of the views expressed at the meetings of Cabinet and Full Council, and to conclude on behalf of herself and her Cabinet that there are substantial risks to achieving LGR that can be effectively addressed by postponing the May 2026 elections.

Update - 11 January 2026

LGR consultation closure

The Government-led consultation on Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex closed at 23:59 on 11 January 2026. We would like to thank all residents, businesses and community groups across Thurrock who took the time to respond and share their views. These responses will help inform the Secretary of State’s decisions about the future structure of local government in the Greater Essex area. For more information, please visit: Proposals for local government reorganisation in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock - GOV.UK

Our response to the LGR consultation

Thurrock Council’s official response to the Government’s consultation on Proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock was approved by Cabinet and submitted on 9 January 2026. Read our full response to see the Council’s detailed submission: 

Next steps

The Government will now consider all submissions received as part of the consultation on Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex. Following this review, the Government is expected to set out the next steps in March 2026.

September 2025

On Friday 26th September, Thurrock Council, alongside Southend-on-Sea City Council, Rochford District and Essex County Council, submitted four proposals to Government. It is anticipated that Government will run a public consultation on these proposals over the winter, before deciding which option should be implemented.

Thurrock Council developed a proposal which supports four new unitary authorities in Greater Essex. If implemented, this would see a new authority created from Thurrock, Brentwood, Epping, and Harlow.

You can read more about why we think this is the best option here:

You can read all the proposals submitted to Government via the link below. This includes options for both a 3 Unitary model and a 5 Unitary Model:

A stronger Greater Essex | Essex Local Government Reorganisation Hub

We will update this page once we know more about the Government consultation and how you can take part.

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What is Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

The government’s long-term vision is for simpler council structures, which make it clear who is responsible for services.

At present, across the Greater Essex area, services are split between the County Council, and one of 12 city, borough or district council in a ‘two-tier’ arrangement.

The government believes reorganising and simplifying councils can drive economic growth while delivering better public services.

Reorganisation would see all 15 councils in Essex – including Thurrock Council, Essex County Council and Southend-on-Sea City Council, replaced with a number of all-purpose ‘unitary’ authorities who are responsible for all local authority services in their area.

What does LGR look like?

All 15 councils in Essex would be replaced with a number of unitary councils.

The white paper has stipulated the government thinks the optimum size for new unitary councils to be at least 500,000 people. However, there may be some flexibility on this, and each case will be considered on its own merits.

Greater Essex has a population of around 1.9 million, meaning – based on the maths - the most likely number is three or four unitary councils.

Do we have to reorganise, or is it voluntary?

Reorganisation isn’t mandatory but the White Paper sets out the case for it and invites places to come forward with proposals.

When can we expect this to take place? 

As far as LGR is concerned, we have also committed to reorganisation. We would have to submit interim plans in March 2025 followed by full plans in the autumn. Timelines for the remainder of the LGR process are subject to the proposals received. However, elections to shadow authorities could be expected in May 2027 following the 2026 consultation, with new unitaries going live in April 2028.

What is the difference between Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation?

Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from UK government to local government. Local Government Reorganisation is about how local government powers and funding are organised between councils.