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RESOLVED
that Cabinet,
in response to the formal invitation from the Minister of State for
Local Government and English Devolution to submit proposals for a
single tier of local government for Greater Essex by 26 September
2025, in accordance with the statutory criteria as set out in the
invitation:-
 

(a) 
supports the principles of the case for five new
unitary councils for Essex, with the District of Tendring forming
part of the proposed new North East
Essex Unitary Council based on:
 

(i)           
  keeping local
government as local as possible and embedding local accountability;

(ii)          
  sense of place and
recognising the geographical linkages;

(iii)         
  the structures of
existing partnerships and joined up decision making;

(iv)         
  ensuring on going
delivery of high quality services;
and

(v)          
  the option is
financially viable and sustainable on the basis
of good stewardship by the future unitary councils;
and

(vi)         
  the statutory
criteria have been addressed.
 

(b) 
agrees that Tendring District Council is included as
a supporting council to the Final Plan for Local Government
Reorganisation “The proposal for growth:  Five new unitary councils for Essex” for
submission in response to the Minister’s invitation;
 

(c)  
agrees that it may be necessary for the Leader, upon
receipt of and detailed consideration of additional information
following Cabinet’s decision, to make a further decision
before submission within the deadline given by the Secretary of
State, based upon the Key Principles for Tendring;
 

(d) 
in respect of (c) the Leader will inform all Members
and consult the Chief Executive, prior to any such decision being
made;
 

(e) 
notes that in response to the statutory consultation
stage to undertaken by Government, formal decisions will be taken
by the Leader, in consultation with the Chief Executive, without
reference to Cabinet/Council but following notification to all
Members of his proposed draft response; and
 

(f)   
supports the Leader and Chief Executive continuing to provide
periodic briefings to Members (and reports as necessary) as the
agenda around devolution and local government reorganisation
develops locally, acknowledging the extensive detail they will need
to convey as this process proceeds.