The Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Richard Bingley, has written today to the Secretary of State, for Housing, Communities and Local Government, asking him to free the council from the distraction and cost of reorganisation so it can continue to focus on improvement and economic growth.
Cllr Bingley calls on Steve Reed MP to recognise that the substantial progress Thurrock Council has made in addressing its financial challenges and rebuilding strong, transparent governance is real but fragile, and asks the Secretary of State to help the council put the needs of Thurrock residents first, recognising the neglect they have suffered over many years.
Going ahead with the LGR model chosen by the Government, he says, “will not create a sustainable future for public services because the five new unitary authority proposal is not financially viable. The combined debt of both Thurrock and Basildon alongside the unknown value of budget disaggregation from county creates too much risk. This is not the time for destabilising the solid foundations that have been hard earned by residents who have suffered the brunt of diminished services and higher than average tax rises.”
In contrast he feels that by focusing the council’s, and Government’s, collective energy on developing the huge economic potential in Thurrock - as home to the Port of Tilbury, London Gateway, and a cluster of nationally significant logistics, manufacturing, and energy assets - Thurrock will be uniquely positioned to contribute to national economic priorities.
In his letter, Cllr Bingley goes on to say: “At a time when we are rebuilding civic pride and asking residents to believe in their borough again, structural upheaval risks undermining that fragile confidence. Participating in LGR now would risk slowing or weakening this economic potential. Reorganisation would require extensive structural planning, negotiation, and transition work—activities that would inevitably draw attention away from the urgent tasks of renewing civic pride, economic development, financial recovery, and delivering change for Thurrock residents.
“Thurrock’s businesses, investors, and strategic partners consistently tell us that what they need most is stability, clarity, and a council able to act quickly and decisively. Entering into years of planning and transitioning will mean we are not able to do that effectively, and our residents will remain frustrated while not feeling the benefit of promises made but not delivered.”
You can read the full letter on our website here: thurrock.gov.uk/improvement/lgr-our-latest-position-june-2026