Paul Marinko 21 October 2025

Essex CC leaves 'bitter taste' with 'underhand' reorg move

Relations between Essex local authorities have been soured after the county council spent nearly £37,000 informing residents of its preferred option for local government reorganisation (LGR).

The leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, Daniel Cowan said the county's ‘underhanded' move in posting out a leaflet on its preferred three-unitary model had left a ‘bitter taste in the mouth' and eroded trust.

Visit The MJ (£) to continue reading.

Want to learn more about local government reorganisation? Check out: Local Government Reorganisation: What It Means and Why It Matters.

#local government reorganisation

Analysis

Better Results, Smarter Spending: AllChild in Wigan

Wigan Council and AllChild are proving that long-term, community-driven programmes can improve outcomes for children while reducing pressure on local services and public spending. LocalGov finds out more.

Opinion

Pride in Place: Breathing new life into neglected communities

Emma Lloyd, Anthony Collins, explores the new Pride in Place Programme, which will invest £5bn to help local authorities revitalise overlooked areas.

Most Popular News

Birmingham and unions finalise landmark equal pay deal

Labour MPs urge Chancellor to scrap ‘outdated’ council tax system

‘Suck it up’: Leaked video leads to Reform UK suspensions

New unitaries in the south to cost over £12m

Approval of largest solar farm scheme branded ‘appalling’

New Products

Vent-Axia Delivers Social Housing a Smart Ventilation Solution Ahead of Awaab’s Law

New remotely lockable cabinet will help manage medication for people with mental health issues

UK-first tool developed by Bluesky scores areas green credentials to aid urban planners

New partnership drives improved air quality and healthier homes in social housing

ShuttleID launches 90-day free trial for local authorities

New steps to keep tenants safe

Invision360 secures Innovate UK smart grant for VITA EHCP generator

Case Studies

Acrospire Delivers Retrofit Lighting for Newbridge’s Joe Calzaghe Footbridge

Acrospire Delivers PIR-Controlled Lighting at Ruislip Lido Car Park

Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street revitalised using Thorn Lighting’s Thor Lanterns and Customisable Gobo Projectors

Acrospire Partners with Bath & North East Somerset Council to Illuminate Historic Film Location with LED Upgrade

Believ to install 22 charge points across Redcar and Cleveland

Acrospire Enhances Harlington Underpass with Energy-Saving Vandal-Resistant Lighting

Croydon Council selects integrated corporate GIS to improve efficiencies

Company Anouncements

Lucy Zodion recognised as sustainability leader with Build Back Better GREEN Award for HAWK3

CU Phosco Becomes Sustaining Member of DarkSky UK to Champion Better Night-Time Lighting

Yorkshire schools SuDS partnership boosts flood resilience

Airtech Helps Landlords Comply with Awaab’s Law

Cloudhouse offers housing associations risk-free route to IT modernisation

Adaptations teams’ opportunity to optimise value

Vent-Axia Welcomes Awaab’s Law Draft Guidance

Principal Lawyer

Competitive

An opportunity to join EMCCA’s new legal team as a Principal Lawyer - delivering legal advice and shaping the frameworks behind regional devolution. Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Recuriter: East Midlands Combined County Authority