4. Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for Thurrock and Greater Essex
The Government is reviewing how local councils are organised across Greater Essex, including Thurrock. This process is known as Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
A Government decision on a preferred proposal for Greater Essex is expected in March 2026.
LGR forms part of a national programme to simplify council structures and create single councils, known as unitary authorities, which are responsible for delivering all local services in their area. No final decisions have yet been made.
Local government reorganisation is where the structure and responsibilities of our existing local authorities are reconfigured.
The government wants to move away from the two-tier system of district and county councils. This would mean that all 15 existing councils in Essex at this level would be abolished. Town and parish tier councils would be unaffected.
In their place, the government will create new unitary authorities. The new authorities would deliver most of the key services that residents are used to, such as education and social care, waste and recycling, benefits and parks and green spaces.
To create these new councils, existing unitary, county and district council areas would be reconfigured. These new authorities could have a suggested population of up to 500,000, although the size will depend on each area. This means that Greater Essex would likely have between three and five new councils.
These new councils would replace the existing system on 1 April 2028.
Why this is happening
In much of Essex, council services are currently delivered by more than one authority. County councils provide services such as education, highways and social care, while district or borough councils deliver services such as housing, waste collection and planning.
Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea already operate as single-tier councils delivering all local services. The Government is considering whether all areas in Greater Essex should move to a consistent structure so responsibilities are clearer and services can be organised in a more coordinated way.
Proposals for Greater Essex
Councils across Greater Essex have developed proposals for how local government could be reorganised in the future. These proposals set out different options for how councils might be structured and what areas they would cover.
The Government consulted on these options and is now reviewing responses and supporting evidence before making a decision. Visit the Essex LGR Hub website to view all proposals submitted, and for more information.
What this means for Thurrock
There are currently no changes to services. Thurrock Council continues to deliver all services as normal while the Government considers the proposals.
If changes are approved, they would be introduced over time. Existing councils would continue operating during any transition period to ensure services continue without disruption.
Thurrock’s focus is on ensuring that any future arrangements work in the best interests of local residents, communities and businesses, and that services remain accessible, effective and responsive to local needs.
What happens next
The Government will decide whether to proceed with reorganisation in Greater Essex and, if so, what form it will take. If a new structure is agreed, further information will be provided about implementation, timing and how residents will be kept informed.
Until then, all existing councils, including Thurrock Council, continue to operate as normal.
Keeping residents informed
We understand that changes to local government can raise questions. We will update this page as further information becomes available and when any decisions are confirmed.
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Latest news
| 27 February 2026 |
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Changes to local councils in Greater Essex: What Happens Next Plans to reorganise local councils across Greater Essex as part of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) are moving into the next phase. This update explains what will happen next and what residents can expect. Last year, councils were invited to submit proposals for new council structures. Four proposals were put forward, including one from Thurrock. The Government is expected to decide in March which proposal will move ahead. Once a decision is announced, councils will move into a formal implementation and transition phase. This is a structured process with clear legal steps and timelines. What happens after the decision Shortly after the Government confirms its decision:
Reorganisation timetable Summer 2026
May 2027
May 2027 to March 2028
31 March 2028
1 April 2028
What residents can expect Maintaining service continuity and public confidence is a top priority. All council services will continue during the transition, with minimal immediate change for residents. Bin collections, libraries, schools and school transport will continue as usual. If you receive benefits from the council, responsibility will transfer smoothly to the new authority. Emergency and health services are not affected. Elections will take place in May 2027, and you will be notified of your polling station and ward arrangements as usual. Council tax will continue to be set by Thurrock Council until April 2028, when it will be set by the new council. This is a major change, and some details are still being finalised. Updates will be shared as more information becomes available. You can stay informed by signing up for the weekly Thurrock Residents newsletter. |
| 16 February 2026 |
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On 16 February 2026, the Secretary of State wrote to council leaders in areas where the postponement of the May 2026 local elections had been under consideration, to confirm that elections will go ahead as originally planned in May 2026. You can read the Secretary of State’s letter here: Postponement of local elections in England in May 2026. |
| 15 January 2026 |
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On Tuesday 13 January, Thurrock council's Cabinet members met to discuss a Ministerial request for views on the postponement of local elections, received on 18 December 2025. This was then discussed among all 49 Councillors at an Extraordinary Council meeting on Wednesday 14 January. This was at the request of the Minister for Local Government and Homelessness, who had asked those councils who have submitted Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposals, like us in Thurrock, to consider and discuss what impact going ahead with local elections in 2026 might have on the council’s capacity to deliver LGR. The paper attached lays out some of the issues that Cabinet members considered and discussed. Following discussion at Cabinet and Full Council, Cllr Lynn Worrall, Leader of Thurrock Council, wrote to the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness to set out all of the views expressed at the meetings of Cabinet and Full Council, and to conclude on behalf of herself and her Cabinet that there are substantial risks to achieving LGR that can be effectively addressed by postponing the May 2026 elections. |
| 11 January 2026 |
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LGR consultation closure The Government-led consultation on Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex closed at 23:59 on 11 January 2026. We would like to thank all residents, businesses and community groups across Thurrock who took the time to respond and share their views. These responses will help inform the Secretary of State’s decisions about the future structure of local government in the Greater Essex area. For more information, please visit: Proposals for local government reorganisation in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock - GOV.UK Our response to the LGR consultation Thurrock Council’s official response to the Government’s consultation on Proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock was approved by Cabinet and submitted on 9 January 2026. Read our full response to see the Council’s detailed submission: Next steps The Government will now consider all submissions received as part of the consultation on Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex. Following this review, the Government is expected to set out the next steps in March 2026. |
| September 2025 |
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On Friday 26th September, Thurrock Council, alongside Southend-on-Sea City Council, Rochford District and Essex County Council, submitted four proposals to Government. It is anticipated that Government will run a public consultation on these proposals over the winter, before deciding which option should be implemented. Thurrock Council developed a proposal which supports four new unitary authorities in Greater Essex. If implemented, this would see a new authority created from Thurrock, Brentwood, Epping, and Harlow. You can read more about why we think this is the best option here: You can read all the proposals submitted to Government via the link below. This includes options for both a 3 Unitary model and a 5 Unitary Model: A stronger Greater Essex | Essex Local Government Reorganisation Hub |