Fifteen councils across Essex, along with the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, are this week beginning to gather residents’ views and priorities to help shape local government reorganisation across Greater Essex.
A telephone and written survey of 1,400 residents is currently being undertaken. The work is being carried out independently by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), the UK’s leading social research organisation. Participants are being recruited to ensure representation from across the Greater Essex population. The feedback will inform business cases being developed by the councils, which are due to be submitted to the Government in September.
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.
It will be for the Government to decide on the final future council structures in Greater Essex. It has outlined criteria that proposals must meet:
• Create councils with logical geographical areas.
• Improve efficiency and financial sustainability.
• Deliver high quality and sustainable services.
• Reflect local identity and respect cultural and historic importance.
• Support devolution; and
• Enable better engage and empower local communities.
In addition to the representative survey, NatCen will also conduct workshops with residents and hold focus groups involving under-represented communities such as young people, ethnic minorities, and disabled residents. These in-depth sessions aim to explore views in greater detail and ensure all voices are considered.
Cllr Graham Butland, Chair of the Essex Leaders and Chief Executive Group and Leader of Braintree District Council, said:
“Listening to residents’ views on an impartial basis, before any options are finalised, is a critical element of the evidence gathering process.”
Cllr David King, Vice Chair of the Essex Leaders and Chief Executive Group and Leader of Colchester City Council, said:
“Ensuring the voices of residents, businesses and key partners are heard is essential before final business cases are finalised.”