Local government reorganisation (LGR) and devolution
The government has decided that Chelmsford City Council will merge with Brentwood Borough Council, and Maldon District Council , plus part of Essex County Council, to form a brand-new unitary authority from April 2028.
The changes are part of what is known as Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), which is happening across England. LGR usually involves merging or restructuring councils to avoid duplication and to streamline decision-making.
Across much of Essex, there is currently two-tier system of local government. This means there is one county council (Essex County Council) and twelve district-level councils (including Chelmsford City Council). There are also two unitary authorities in Essex, in Southend-On-Sea and Thurrock.
The government has decided that in place of these 15 existing Essex councils, there should be a much smaller number of unitary authorities, serving larger areas than the councils of today. Unitary authorities deliver most local services in their areas.
This is a list of the new unitary authorities:
- South West: Basildon and Thurrock
- South East: Southend, Rochford and Castle Point
- West: Harlow, Epping Forest and Uttlesford
- Mid: Chelmsford, Brentwood and Maldon
Local Government Reorganisation isn’t the only change happening in Greater Essex. Devolution is also happening in our area.
In December 2024, the government published a white paper. They announced they want to both simplify local government, and transfer some powers and funding from national government to a more local level.
To achieve this in Essex, we must deliver devolution and local government organisation. These are separate programmes that will run alongside one another.
We do not have the final say on how these programmes will work. However, we will engage with the process and advocate for what we feel is best for our residents and communities.
Local government reorganisation is where the structure and responsibilities of our existing local authorities are reconfigured.
The government wants to move away from the two-tier system of district and county councils. This means that all 15 existing councils in Essex at this level will be abolished
In their place, new unitary authorities are being created. The new authorities will deliver most of the key services that residents are used to, such as education and social care, waste and recycling, benefits and parks and green spaces.
To create these new councils, existing district council areas and county council services are being merged.
These new, larger councils will replace the existing system on 1 April 2028.
The government asked all Essex councils to work together to submit their views on how to deliver local government reorganisation.
We have worked with the other authorities to prepare an interim response by 21 March 2025. Chelmsford Councillors agreed that the Leader would endorse this response at a meeting of the Cabinet on 11 March 2025.
We submitted our final proposals in late September 2025 for the government to consider.
Now that the Government has decided on the new structure, the existing councils will work together to prepare for the creation of the new councils. We will do all we can to ensure that your services and support are unaffected.
You can vote for the new authority's councillors in 2027. These councillors will serve as shadow councillors for one year. The shadow council will not yet exist or have any functions and responsibilities. However, they can make all the arrangements to ensure everything is ready for the abolition of the existing councils, so the new authorities can take over in April 2028.
Parish-tier councils are not affected by these changes.
Consultation
The government ran a consultation on how local government in Essex could be reshaped in the next three years, which closed on 11 January 2026.
You can read more about the consultation via our City Life article, which explains the process.
The government have included Greater Essex in the Devolution Priority Programme. This follows a joint request from Essex County Council, Southend-On-Sea and Thurrock Councils.
The term devolution refers to the transfer of some powers and funding from national government to a local authority level. This means that decisions are made closer to the communities that they affect.
In Essex, this government would need to create a new body to cover Essex County Council's area, as well as those of Southend-On-Sea and Thurrock Councils. The new body would be responsible for a wide range of functions, including transport, economic growth and infrastructure.
This new body, known as a Mayoral Combined County Authority, would be lead by an elected Mayor. Elections for the Mayor would be held in May 2028.
The Mayor would also take on the responsibilities of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
Devolution has already happened in other parts of England, the most well known case being Greater Manchester.
Consultation
The government held a public consultation on devolution in Greater Essex which closed on 13 April 2025.
As devolution relates to the upper tier of local government in Essex, Chelmsford City Council is not engaged in the discussions.
Essex County Council are sharing their updates on devolution.
Devolution
- 5 February 2025: Government confirmed Greater Essex Devolution plans
- 13 April 2025: End of public consultation
- 1 May 2028: Mayoral elections
Local government reorganisation
- 21 March 2025: Local authority interim plans submitted
- 26 September 2025: Local authority final plans submitted
- November 2025 to January 2026: Consultation on local authority plans
- March 2026: Government decision confirmed on councils in Greater Essex
- 6 May 2027: Shadow authority elections for new authorities
- 1 April 2028: Existing authorities abolished and functions handed over to new authorities