Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council, along with the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, have agreed to work toward a level 2 devolution deal. If agreed, this would mean better funding and local decision making in areas such as:
- economy
- skills
- transport
- support for businesses
It would also include creating a Greater Essex Combined Authority. The combined authority would be a new institution in which Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council, working closely with the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, would take collective decisions on the powers and budgets that Government devolves to Greater Essex.
It would not be a merger of the three councils. Each authority would remain independent, as would the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. The deal would also not involve a directly elected mayor.
The three authorities, alongside the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, entered into negotiations with the Government to agree a devolution deal in time for the Government’s 2023 Autumn Budget Statement.
These negotiations took longer than expected. In early 2024 the Government notified the four organisations that it was no longer feasible to agree, consult on and implement a deal within the current parliament. It confirmed that efforts to pursue a devolution deal for Greater Essex would be paused until after the next general election.
The three local authorities and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner remain committed towards a devolution deal for Greater Essex at the appropriate point and realising the benefits it will bring in the future.