Castle Point Borough Council confirms support for five unitary model in Local Government Model
Castle Point Borough Council has confirmed its support for the proposed five unitary model for Local Government Reorganisation.
Responding as part of the current Government consultation on Local Government Reorganisation, it describes it as the most balanced and community focused option available for Essex.
The five unitary model would replace the current two tier system with five new unitary authorities. Under the proposal, Castle Point would form a new council with the administrative areas currently served by Southend-on-Sea and Rochford Councils. Council leaders believe the model offers the right mix of scale and local accountability.
Key benefits highlighted include:
- Sensible, recognisable boundaries aligned with natural economic areas and travel to work patterns, avoiding artificial groupings.
- Improved service delivery, including upper tier functions such as social care, and transport, with capacity for early intervention and investment.
- Better community engagement, thanks to a councillor to resident ratio far lower and therefore more accessible than the ratios proposed under other models.
- Support for devolution, with boundaries designed to work alongside the proposed Mayoral Combined County Authority.
Cllr Dave Blackwell, Leader of Castle Point Borough Council said: “The five unitary model keeps the local in local government. It offers the right balance of scale and proximity, aligns with natural geographies and supports Essex’s future under a Mayoral Combined County Authority. I believe that this is the best option on the table for Castle Point residents.”
Cllr Warren Gibson, Deputy Leader, added: “This is a very significant change to local government in Essex and I would strongly encourage residents to have their say before the consultation closes.”
The government consultation on Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex closes on Sunday 11 January 2026.
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