Local government reorganisation plans to create five new unitary authorities in Essex have been backed by several MPs.
A proposal for the five-council model has been formed collaboratively by 10 local authorities and has received support from Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs.
Alongside the plans for five new councils, proposals have also been put forward for three and four unitary authorities as substitutes for Essex’s existing 15 councils.
Tendring District Council has argued that the five-council model will help preserve local accountability, while the other two reorganisation options will cut councillor numbers by 60%.
Bayo Alaba, Labour MP for Southend East and Rochford, said: ‘This is the most credible proposal for Essex and I'm glad to see that it is supported by a number of political parties and would protect against the creation of a small number of mega councils, while delivering real public sector reform.’
Marie Goldman, Liberal Democrat MP for Chelmsford said: ‘The five unitary proposal is the only option that has my support.’
Sir Bernard Jenkin, Conservative MP for Harwich and North Essex emphasised that ‘smaller is better: closer to the citizen and will drive greater accountability’.
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