Improvement

Devolution

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Notice: The Government's consultation on Greater Essex devolution went live on Monday 17 February and will run until Sunday 13 April. Find out more and have your say 

On Wednesday 5 February 2025, the Government informed us that Greater Essex has been accepted into the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme.

We are delighted that our request, submitted in partnership with Southend-on-Sea City Council and Essex County Council, has been successful. This is a significant milestone on our devolution journey.

Being on the Priority Programme means we are trailblazers, delivering the devolution of power from central government to our area as set out in the recent government White Paper. Our three councils will work together to set up a Strategic Mayoral Authority that will give us:

  • more powers over transport and the economy in Essex
  • a greater say on where funding goes and how investment can be best channelled to meet local needs
  • a better economy, better infrastructure, the skills we need and proper strategic planning

As you will know, Thurrock’s Cabinet took the decision in January 2025, after engaging with other councillors at our General Services Committee, that we would pursue this opportunity. Now that we have been given the green light, we are determined to seek the views of members, staff and residents as we help shape the plans alongside other councils in Greater Essex.

The Government has confirmed that as part of the Devolution Priority Programme, we will establish a mayoral county combined authority in April 2026 with a mayoral election taking place in May 2026.  We will also explore options for local government reorganisation and will submit our proposals and business case to the Government later this year.

The Government has also confirmed that the elections scheduled for May this year for Essex County Council and Thurrock Council will be suspended.

We are now looking in more detail at timings, next steps and what this means for us. We are clear that residents have to be at the heart of our plans, and that we must seize every opportunity to build a positive future for the people who live in Thurrock.

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