Government confirms new unitary councils in Greater Essex
There will be five new unitary councils across the region
Last updated 25th Mar 2026
Essex will see a “seismic” change as the 15 local authorities will be scrapped and replaced by five much larger councils with a wider range of powers and responsibilities.
The biggest change to local councils in 50 years will see various areas merged to create West Essex Council, North Essex Council, Mid Essex Council, South West Council and South East Council.
It will enable various Essex towns and cities to “thrive” according to Steve Reed, Secretary of State for housing, communities and local government.
Elections for the new councils will take place next year, with the Government allocating £4.5million to help set up the new five Essex councils.
Currently in Essex there are two systems of local government. There is the two tier system, with district councils and above that the county council – such as Basildon and Essex County Council.
Under this system services, such as social care, bin collections and housing, are separated between the two councils. The other system means Southend and Thurrock Councils are unitary authorities which carry out all services.
Under the changes South West Essex Council will cover Basildon and Thurrock, the South East Essex Council will see Castle Point, Rochford and Southend merge, The new North East Essex Council will include Braintree, Colchester and Tendring. Brentwood, Chelmsford and Maldon will be under the Mid Essex Council and the West Essex Council will cover current Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford.
A £63 million “transition funding” sum put aside for local government reorganisation will mean at least £900,000 will go to each new authority, meaning £4.5 million will be invested in Essex as a whole.