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RESOLVED to approve the response to
the government on the Structural Changes Order for Local Government
Reorganisation as appended to the decision
notice. 

Reasons for the decision

To respond
to the Government’s request for representations to the
drafting of the Structural Changes Order that Government will
prepare and lay before parliament later in 2026 to facilitate
delivery of Local Government Reorganisation in
Essex.

 

The government believes
reorganising councils into a smaller number of single-tier unitary
councils will deliver stronger local councils equipped to deliver
high quality public services.

 

The government expects to set out
their decision on which to proposal to implement in March
2026.

 

The Structural Changes Order will
set out:

•        
dates for transition,

•        
how the new unitary councils will
be established (and current councils abolished),

•        
how the new unitary councils will
be initially established in ‘shadow’ form in 2027 and
until they formally go-live in 2028,

•        
arrangements for
elections

•        
other transitional
arrangements

 

Responding to this request for
input ensures that the views of the council are considered in the
drafting of the SCO.

 

The council is looking to respond
to the consultation jointly with other councils in Greater Essex
before the deadline on 17 February 2026.