Council support 3 unitary LGR option
At an extraordinary meeting held on Monday 15 September 2025, Epping Forest District Councillors gave an indicative vote on proposals for the future structure of local government in Essex.
29 councillors voted in favour of a proposal for 3 unitary authorities across Essex, while 11 councillors supported an alternative 5-unitary model.
Local Government in Greater Essex is set for major change
The UK Government has asked councils across Essex to submit proposals for local government reorganisation by 26 September 2025. By 2028, the current structure of 15 separate councils is expected to be replaced by a smaller number of larger unitary authorities.
Business case options have been developed, proposing either 3, 4, or 5 unitary councils across Essex.
3-unitary model – the preferred option
The indicative vote taken at Monday’s meeting reflects the council’s current preference for the 3-unitary model, which aims to streamline services and improve efficiency across the county.
While the vote is not binding, it will inform the decision of the Cabinet when it meets on Monday 22 September 2025 to formally select which proposal to support ahead of the government’s deadline.
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