Harlow Council is set to discuss proposals for Local Government reorganisation with the publication of an interim plan which outlines out how councils in Essex could achieve more for residents and businesses.
All 15 councils across Greater Essex will consider the same plan, prior to the deadline for it to be submitted to the Government on 21 March 2025.
Harlow will discuss the plan as part of a Local Government reorganisation update to its Cabinet on Wednesday (19 March).
The interim plan follow’s Greater Essex’s inclusion in the Government’s Priority Programme for Devolution. This invited authorities to work together, alongside the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, to produce plans for how all-purpose unitary councils could improve the delivery of essential public services across the county.
The Government have set out plans to move away from the current two-tier system of district and county councils. This would mean replacing all district councils in Essex (including Harlow) and Essex County Council with single-tier unitary authorities.
Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, said:
“Next week Cabinet will discuss in detail proposals for Local Government reorganisation and will be asked to endorse the Essex-wide submission and contents of the Interim Plan. My sole interest continues to be about doing what is right and best for Harlow and that means evaluating the evidence and ensuring Local Government reorganisation in Essex brings clear benefits and opportunities to our town.”
The Leader of the Council will bring an update on the development of the final proposal to the Cabinet meeting in June 2025. The full and final proposal for Local Government reorganisation will be brought before Full Council by the Leader of the Council ahead of the final submission date. This is currently anticipated to be in September 2025. The final decision on any Local Government reorganisation in Essex will be for the government to make.
A copy of the Greater Essex interim plan can be viewed on the council’s website.