Local Government Reorganisation (November 2025)

This week, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government launched their formal consultation on the proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Greater Essex.

The consultation is aimed to help the government understand what people and organisations think about the proposed changes in Greater Essex.

The government is consulting on the 4 proposals that were submitted to the Government by Greater Essex councils in September. Information about the proposals and FAQ’s can be found on the Greater Essex LGR Hub website. 

You can view the consultation and take part online here: Have your say | Essex Local Government Reorganisation Hub. The consultation is live until Sunday 11 January 2026.

As a council, our preferred proposed model if for five unitary authorities in Greater Essex, along with nine other councils and a significant number of Local MPs. We believe that this proposal is locally rooted, preserves community identity, and ensures services remain close to the people who rely on them. We will be submitting a formal response in support of the five unitary proposal.

Whatever the outcome, our focus is on making sure we work together with all councils for the benefit of Essex, improving local services, delivering LGR successfully and bringing positive change for our residents, businesses and employees. 

We will be using our various communication channels to share this consultation with residents and businesses across the district, and we’d appreciate your support in sharing this with residents too, so we can ensure as many local people are aware and have the opportunity to make their voice heard on what kind of local government they want in Essex.

Colchester City Council budget consultation

Colchester City Council is inviting residents to share their views on spending priorities as part of our annual budget consultation. Running until 8 December, the consultation will help inform the draft budget for the 2026/27 financial year. 

Every year, the Council sets a budget that balances the need to deliver essential services with the ambition to invest in Colchester’s future. With increasing pressures on local government finances, we want to hear what matters most to residents. Their feedback will help inform decisions on how resources are allocated across services such as waste collection, parks & leisure, housing, and community safety.  

Residents and stakeholders can take part by completing the online survey: www.colchester.gov.uk/budget-consultation  

Local Government Reorganisation

Have you heard? 

Big changes are coming to local government. In 3 years’ time, the 15 district and county councils in Essex will be replaced by a smaller number of unitary councils. This change does not impact town and parish councils. 
 

Colchester City Council is working on options, and it can’t make important decisions about the future without you.  
 

So, please complete this survey. It should take about the same time as making a cup of tea. 
 

Complete the survey now: https://bit.ly/44grbwH 

For more information published earlier, please see the links below under the same heading.