Have your say

The government will judge business cases for LGR based on the following criteria: 

  • the area makes sense and has the right number of people  
  • the area is good for building more homes  
  • there is strong proof and clear reasons for the plan  
  • the plan shows how to save money  
  • it explains how the costs of making changes will be handled  
  • it shows how services will get better and work in new ways  
  • it looks at how the plan will affect care for children, older people, people with special needs, homelessness, and keeping people safe  
  • it shows how local people’s views and local pride helped shape the plan  
  • it explains how the changes will help give more power to local areas  
  • it shows how new councils will help people have more say in their communities 

Each local authority will decide for itself what submission to recommend to government against the criteria – and ministers will make the decision based on the same.  

Later in the year, the government will run a public consultation on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Greater Essex, as required to by law.  

Please check back here, or on your local council website to keep up to date. 

Business engagement  

Councils across Greater Essex have been talking with many different groups and organisations to understand what matters most to them over the next few years. These groups include people from health, education, business, and community services. The aim is to make sure their ideas and needs are part of the planning. This feedback is helping councils think about how a new unitary council could better support local services, work more closely with partners, and make things simpler and more joined-up for everyone. 

Resident engagement  

As part of changes to local government in Greater Essex, during June and July 2025, councils asked people what they think. A survey was done with 1,400 residents by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), an independent group that studies what people think and feel. People from different areas and backgrounds were chosen to take part, so the results show a fair picture of the whole community. What people said will help shape the business cases that councils are writing.  

Summary of completed engagement 

June/July 2025 – Resident engagement completed with 1,400 residents by National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to inform the final business case proposals. 

June/July 2025 – Stakeholder engagement completed to inform the final business case proposals.