HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE CREATION OF A MAYORAL COMBINED COUNTY AUTHORITY IN GREATER ESSEX!
- Feb 26
- 2 min read
The Government has now launched a public consultation on the creation of a Mayoral Combined County Authority in Greater Essex.
The consultation seeks views from residents, businesses, and other stakeholders across Greater Essex on the potential impact of establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. It covers topics such as the proposed geographical area, decision-making processes, and the implications of collaboration across the region under this new governance model.
Specifically, the consultation asks for feedback on:
The proposed geography
Governance arrangements
Economic growth and development
Social outcomes and community well-being
Enhancing local government services
Environmental improvements
Representing local identities and community interests
The Government has provided further details and online questionnaires on the GOV.UK website.For more information and to have your say, please visit the following links:
For more information and to have your say, please visit the following links:Read the open consultation for Greater Essex devolution on GOV.UK
The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Sunday 13 April 2025.
Councillor Chris Whitbread, Leader of Epping Forest District Council said:
"To be clear, this consultation is not about the Local Government Reorganisation of Epping Forest and other district and borough councils into unitary authorities. That process will take place separately and subsequently."As you would expect, the Government is asking Essex County Council, Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea unitaries, and all the district and borough councils of Essex to support and promote the consultation to as broad an audience of residents and stakeholders as possible.
We are expecting further marketing materials to help us promote its publicity campaign. In the meantime I have asked for the publication of the basic information to the council website, and on social media."The creation of a Mayor for Greater Essex is an opportunity to shape the delivery of public services for decades to come. I would urge as many residents and stakeholders to respond as possible for the benefit not only of our own local communities, but also for the whole of Greater Essex."
This is surely back to front.
If a meaningful consultation takes place, informed people are likely to reject the reorganisation so the question of a Mayor becomes obsolete. Also, depending on how many sub-regional authorities are created in Essex, and their disposition, the public might, or might not, feel that a county-wide polity is a good idea.
In general I have noticed several things about reorganisation of local government and other parts of government too):
1 It becomes more remote
2 It becomes more costly
3 It provides lots of political jobs for the boys (and a few girls)
4 Despite claims for localisation, the envelope for policy choices becomes narrowed by central governmant dictat
We have had our local…