Cabinet set to discuss interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation
Castle Point Borough Council will discuss the interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation across Greater Essex at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 19 March. All 15 councils across Greater Essex will need to approve the plan, prior to the deadline for submission to the Government on 21 March.
The interim plan follows Greater Essex’s inclusion in the Government’s Priority Programme for Devolution and the Government’s request for all two-tier councils to produce plans for all-purpose unitary councils across the country.
The interim plan sets out proposals for how reorganisation could be achieved, as well as how it would support wider devolution ambitions and the benefits this would bring to the county.
Cllr Dave Blackwell, Leader of Castle Point Borough Council said: “Although I didn’t agree with Local Government Reorganisation, it’s something the Government intends to push through so we will work with Essex leaders to put ourselves in a good position for our residents.”
Cllr Warren Gibson, Deputy Leader of Castle Point Borough Council said: “Neither the Leader nor I were in favour of the inclusion of Greater Essex in the Priority Programme for Devolution. However, Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock Unitary Councils voted in favour. In addition, three out of the five Essex County Councillors representing Castle Point supported the bid submission led by Cllr Bentley. We will continue to advocate for Castle Point in negotiations and discussions going forward.”
Alongside the published interim plan is an accompanying report from the Chief Executive of Castle Point Borough Council. The Leader and Deputy Leader both favour a five unitary authority model to preserve local democracy and cultural identity while achieving scale and value for money for taxpayers.
Members are invited to support in principle the option of creating a new unitary authority with neighbouring Rochford District Council and Southend-on-Sea City Council.This exploration would not commit the Council to the arrangement and any options would be compared against the benefits of other potential options.
A link to the interim plan and report to Cabinet can be found on the website.
The Cabinet meeting can followed online at www.youtube.com/@CastlePoint-BC