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Statement responding to Devolution election delay

4 December 2025

Cllr. Lynn Worrall, Leader of Thurrock Council comments on the statement from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government which includes his intention to delay Mayoral elections in Greater Essex and other English regions participating in the Devolution Priority Programme.

Interim CEO appointed for Greater Essex Combined Authority

21 November 2025 - Published by Essex County Council

Greater Essex has reached another stage in plans to radically simplify local government in Essex, to improve services and save taxpayers millions of pounds over the years ahead. Following recent agreement on the decision to create a mayoral combined authority in Essex, plans are shaping up to build the new organisation. As part of this, Tom Walker has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Essex Combined County Authority.

£3m Government funding to support Greater Essex Devolution

19 September 2025

Thurrock Council has welcomed new Government funding that will help drive forward the next stage of devolution for Greater Essex.
The Government has confirmed £3 million of capacity funding over three years (£1m per year) to support Thurrock, Essex County Council and Southend-on-Sea City Council with the legal and practical work associated with establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) for Greater Essex.

Thurrock Council backs the creation of a new Mayoral authority for Greater Essex

18 September 2025

Thurrock Council endorsed the creation of a new Mayoral authority for Greater Essex at its Cabinet meeting on 17 September - a landmark step that could see more powers, funding, and decisions made closer to the people of Thurrock and Greater Essex, which will bring significant benefits to local residents. 

Government gives approval for devolution work to proceed in Greater Essex

18 July 2025

The Government has confirmed that Greater Essex has ‘passed the legal tests’ and that devolution and work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) can proceed. 
The decision follows an eight-week consultation held between February and April, which saw a total of 4,070 responses from residents, business and partner organisations. A report on the consultation was published on Thursday 17 July. 

Feedback given on initial plans for Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex

08 May 2025

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) provided feedback, following the submission of intitial LGR plans by all 15 councils in Greater Essex, and the Office of the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Essex Council Leaders, the Police and Fire Commissioner and Chief Executives meet to commence work on Devolution in Greater Essex | Thurrock Council

19 February 2025

Following the announcement that Greater Essex is part of the Devolution Priority Programme, Leaders met to form a view on the challenges, examine the key criteria to be met and to start to scope the evidence and information required, drawing on collective resources, information and knowledge from across Essex. Read More 

Greater Essex Devolution: Government consultation now live.

18 February 2025

The Government's consultation on Greater Essex devolution is now live.

This is your chance to have a say on the proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority. This would cover the local government areas of Essex County Council, Thurrock Council and Southend-on-Sea City Council.

Read More 

Essex councils accepted onto Devolution Priority Programme

5 February 2025

The Government has today (Wednesday 5 February 2025) confirmed that Thurrock Council, Essex County Council and Southend-on-Sea City Council have had their request to be part of the Devolution Priority Programme confirmed.  This follows the councils writing to the Government on Friday 10 January requesting inclusion on the programme and committing to local government reorganisation. Read More