We take our responsibility for engaging with local people and businesses seriously.
Wherever we can, we aim to take your views into consideration when we make decisions about things that affect you.
Current consultations
The future of local government in Essex
The government is currently reviewing how councils in Greater Essex are structured and believes reorganising and simplifying councils can help grow the economy while delivering better public services.
Reorganisation would replace 15 councils that currently serve Greater Essex with a smaller number of ‘unitary’ authorities. These new councils will be responsible for providing all local government services in their areas. The change will not affect police and fire and rescue services or NHS services.
There are currently two different proposals for reorganisation. One proposal is for 5 new councils and the other proposal is considering options that include 2, 3, 4 or 5 new councils.
Harlow Council has not yet taken a view on which final proposal for reorganisation that we will support - a decision on our preferred option is expected to be made at the Full Council meeting in September.
This week a public consultation has gone live on the proposal for 5 new unitary councils. The map below shows how these councils would be configured.
You can have your say on the proposals on the Southend-on-Sea City Council website.
The consultation closes on 20 July 2025.
Once the consultation closes, feedback will be analysed and used to refine the proposal. The final submission will be made to government by 26 September, with new councils expected to be in place in April 2028. It is expected that the government will also be carrying out consultation before it makes a final decision for Essex.
This consultation is separate to the telephone and written consultation launched by all 15 councils across Essex last week.
Essex Community Safety Survey
The Essex Community Safety Survey 2025 helps police and local authorities continue to build a picture of crime in Essex and develop solutions.
The survey asks some questions that have been asked in previous year’s which gives the opportunity to understand any trends, there are also some new questions – including about people’s knowledge of CrimeStoppers.
You can have your say on the Essex County Council website.
The consultation closes on 3 August 2025.