Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

What does this mean for me as a Member of the council?

Tendring District Council has no decision-making powers in this, though we can seek to influence decisions and shape future direction.

You of course have political considerations and positions to follow, and you can continue to do so as normal.

In terms of defined council position, the recommendations made by the Chief Executive in his report on 21 January 2025 were unanimously backed (and the report can be found on the quick links section).

As a reminder these were:

It is recommended that Council:

i) acknowledges work will continue to ensure that the District of Tendring is in the best possible position should devolution and/or local government reorganisation go ahead;

ii) mandates the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive to seek to ensure that the voice of Tendring (and north Essex more generally) is as strong as possible in any negotiations around devolution and local government reorganisation recognising its opportunities and challenges;

iii) recognises that Members and Officers will continue to deliver this Council’s best value and other statutory duties for the benefit of its residents, businesses and communities every day that it exists; and

iv) welcomes the intention to provide periodically, briefings to Members (and reports to this Council as necessary) as the agenda around devolution and local government reorganisation develops locally.

Meanwhile, at an Extraordinary meeting of Full Council on 11 March 2025, the Chief Executive provided a further update, and the following recommendations were again unanimously backed:

It is recommended that Council:

i) notes the update on Local Government Reorganisation for Greater Essex and the formal invitation, as set out in Appendix A;

ii) supports the opportunity for Full Council to provide its views through debate prior to the Leader making an Executive Decision on the Interim Plan setting out progress on developing proposals in line with the criteria and guidance;

iii) acknowledges the efforts of both the Leader and the Chief Executive in representing Tendring District Council on the development of the Interim Plan;

iv) subject to feedback through debate, endorses the direction of discussion on developing plans as set out in the Interim Plan, as set out in Appendix B; and

v) welcomes the continuation of providing periodically, briefings to Members (and reports to this Council as necessary) as the agenda around devolution and local government reorganisation develops locally.

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Whatever position you may take, we would ask you to be considerate of staff, who may find this period unsettling – particularly in the early stages when there are a lot of unknowns.

We will continue to keep you updated; and you will also have a key role in keeping your residents, town and parish councils updated too.