We are being “reorganised.” And not by choice!
In 2028 Uttlesford District Council (UDC) along with all the other councils (district, unitary and county) in Essex will be abolished and replaced by somewhere between three and five new unitary councils.
Unitary means they do everything, instead of responsibilities being split between county and individual districts. For the moment Town and Parish council will be left to continue as they are.
Which configuration it will be (3, 4 or 5) is a decision to be made by central government and announced in March 2026. You are invited to express your opinion in a consultation that closes 11th January (details below).
IF YOU ARE WONDERING ….
Why? – We don’t really know. In fact we would go further. It is an expensive, rubbish idea with no obvious advantages (tell us what you really think lads!). The story appears to be the previous Conservative government thought it up then realised it wouldn’t work. Civil servants dusted it down for the new Labour government who were not bright enough to see the flashing red warning signs. Bluntly, we are lost as to the problem trying to be solved.
What does it mean? – Uttlesford disappears in 2028 to be replaced either by a new council merging us with Harlow and Epping Forest; or a new council merging us with Braintree, Colchester and Tendring. HM Government asserts bigger councils are cheaper and more efficient. There is very little evidence to this effect.
Sadly, no one appears to have asked some very basic front-line questions.
For instance, will we need fewer bin lorries? No.
Will we need a smaller planning function? No.
Will this result in better road maintenance? – possibly, it would be hard to do worse than Essex County Council.
Will we get better social services? Unlikely, the existing social service functions across Essex are some of the best in the country.
Better school transport? – possibly given the current underperformance.
Better Environmental Health? No.
We could go on but you get the drift.
How much will it cost? We 100% guarantee this reorganisation will not save money. Indeed in the short term your council tax will go up to pay for the reorganisation costs. Uttlesford has put aside £2m to get us through to 2028 and we think that is an under-estimate.
What are the benefits? Here we really struggle. This is a decision by central government. With the best will in the world are struggling to see any tangible benefit to you the residents. Certainly the closeness to the supplier of services and the democratic accountability you currently enjoy will be diluted – imagine travelling to Colchester on a wet Wednesday in February to make your case about a planning application or challenge a council tax banding decision.
WHAT CAN WE AND YOU DO?
We will fight for your interests as the process of reorganisation continues to develop. Meantime, you can respond to the government’s consultation. here is the link. The closing date is 11th January.
https://consult.communities.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation/essex-southend-on-sea-thurrock/
Our choice and the preference of 2/3rds of the existing councils in Essex is the proposal for 5 unitary councils, for two simple reasons:
• This keeps representation closest to you and focused on your area;
• Is smartest with your money.
