West Essex Council
Planned unitary authority in Essex, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
West Essex Council was a proposed English unitary authority for the local government district of West Essex. The council would have been a constituent member of the Greater Essex Combined Authority. Plans to create it were withdrawn in September 2026.
Background
As part of the Starmer ministry local government reform, a goal of "simpler local government structures" was set out by the government, including a commitment to phase out two-tier local government structures.[1][2] West Essex Council was announced in March 2026 as the replacement for Epping Forest District Council, Harlow District Council and Uttlesford District Council. As a unitary authority it will also take over the existing functions of Essex County Council in the area previously covered by those districts, which will form the new West Essex local government district.[3]
In September 2026, the Essex proposals were withdrawn by the government in light of new legal advice.[4]
Timeline
The first election of councillors was set to take place in May 2027, with the authority taking over local government responsibilities on 1 April 2028.[3] The council would have been a constituent member of the Greater Essex Combined Authority, which is being established ahead of the 2028 Greater Essex mayoral election.[5] The 2027 election was cancelled in September 2026.[4]