Thurrock Council has welcomed new Government funding that will help drive forward the next stage of devolution for Greater Essex.
The Government has confirmed £3 million of capacity funding over three years (£1m per year) to support Thurrock, Essex County Council and Southend-on-Sea City Council with the legal and practical work associated with establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) for Greater Essex.
This follows the Greater Essex devolution consultation, which ran from 17 February to 13 April 2025. Residents and businesses across the county were invited to share their views on:
- the proposed geography of the deal,
- the effect of establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority, and
- how the new authority should make decisions.
The Government has since confirmed that Greater Essex has “passed the legal tests”, meaning work can now move forward towards establishing a Combined County Authority and preparing for a potential Mayoral election in May 2026.
Benefits for Thurrock and Greater Essex
If agreed, devolution could unlock significant opportunities and bring lasting benefits for residents, including:
- Unlocking billions of pounds of growth through inward investment, Freeport expansion and global trade.
- Gaining more influence with Government while protecting the unique identity of Thurrock and the wider Greater Essex area.
- Boosting skills and jobs, accelerating housing delivery and tackling inequality, including health outcomes.
- Delivering better-paid jobs and stronger transport networks for local people.
Importantly, this work is not about reorganising or merging councils. Thurrock Council will continue to serve its communities as it does now. The proposals are focused on creating a directly elected Mayor for Greater Essex, with new devolved powers and funding to drive forward growth, investment, and local priorities.
Cllr Lynn Worrall, Leader of Thurrock Council, said:
“This is another historic milestone for Thurrock and the whole of Greater Essex. Devolution could bring tens of billions of pounds’ worth of growth, putting us even more firmly on the national map and giving us greater influence with Government.”
“A Greater Essex Mayor and Combined County Authority would help secure better jobs, stronger transport networks, more investment and improved opportunities for residents and businesses. This funding from Government means we can now take the next steps in making that a reality.”
For more information on devolution, please visit the Thurrock Council website > Devolution.