“Simplify local government” and “improve local public services” - that is the test set by Minister Alison McGovern as the Government opened a statutory consultation on reshaping councils in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock on 19 November 2025. Her letter to local leaders confirms the process is now formally under way.

The consultation runs for seven weeks, closing on Sunday 11 January 2026. Residents, businesses and community groups can respond via the Department’s Citizen Space platform, by email or by post, with officials using artificial intelligence to assist analysis, as set out in the paperwork.

Four rival options from the Essex invitation area are on the table. One plan, lodged jointly by Braintree District Council, Essex County Council and Epping Forest District Council, would create three unitary councils. A second, from Thurrock Council, proposes four. A third, from Rochford District Council, also proposes four. A fourth, from Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Chelmsford, Colchester, Harlow, Maldon, Southend-on-Sea, Tendring and Uttlesford, sets out five new councils. These were all submitted on 26 September 2025.

McGovern stresses this is a consultation on all submissions that meet the 5 February 2025 statutory invitation. No formal assessment has been made yet against the criteria in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007; that will follow once responses are in. The letter went to leaders including Cllr Kevin Bentley (Essex County Council), Cllr Daniel Cowan (Southend-on-Sea) and Cllr Lynn Worrall (Thurrock), and was copied to chief executives, the Thurrock Commissioners and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.

What would change in practice? Unitary authorities bring today’s county and district functions under one roof, so a single council would run social care, schools, roads, planning and the bins. Essex County Council argues its preferred three-council model would “simplify governance” and “deliver better outcomes”, replacing the current 15‑council patchwork that serves nearly 1.9 million people.

Not everyone is persuaded. Sector surveys and analysts have warned that mergers can be costly and may not fix the underlying finances, with heavy debt hanging over parts of local government. Ministers say reform is needed to speed up decisions and improve services, but scrutiny will be sharp on whether savings materialise and accountability is preserved.

Setting out the county position in July, Essex County Council leader Cllr Kevin Bentley said: “Three councils offers the simplicity, strength, and stability our great county is crying out for.” That proposal places Southend, Rochford, Castle Point, Basildon and Thurrock together as a South Essex authority, with separate Central and North Essex councils.

Southend-on-Sea’s leader Cllr Daniel Cowan has argued for a five‑council model that would see Southend combine with Castle Point and Rochford. He called for “a more efficient and responsive system that better serves our residents and businesses” as proposals were worked up earlier this year.

Thurrock’s leader Cllr Lynn Worrall has submitted a four‑council plan, describing it as a “fully costed proposal” built around “value for money and good services” for residents. The council says engagement over the summer shaped the final submission agreed on 17 September.

In a written statement to MPs and peers, McGovern confirmed 17 submissions were received across six areas on 26 September and that the consultation would run until 11 January 2026. Decisions, subject to parliamentary approval, will be taken after officials assess all evidence, and the Boundary Commission will be consulted where any proposal splits existing districts.

Residents, town and parish councils, businesses and voluntary groups across Essex, Southend and Thurrock are invited to respond. Councils have been asked to publicise the exercise in line with the Publicity Code, ensure documents meet accessibility standards and provide hard copies for those offline. Consultation materials are on GOV.UK, with responses encouraged by 11 January 2026.