Essex calls to scrap elections and reform councils

Essex County Council has voted in favour of cancelling elections in May in order to concentrate on a major shake-up of local government.

The Labour government wants there to be fewer councils in England and for each region to have its own mayor.

The number of local authorities in Essex could be trimmed down from 15, to as little as two, and a new mayor for the county could be voted into office in 2026.

Kevin Bentley, the Conservative leader of the council, told a meeting earlier there were "practical and financial reasons" for cancelling the local elections.

He said the council could not consult the public about the devolution project this spring, if there were elections just around the corner.

The devolution deal aims to give local politicians and officials more control over services and potentially greater investment.

It was "the biggest decision in the council's 136 history", Bentley said.

"[We've asked for] devolved powers, powers back out of Westminster directly into Essex looking at infrastructure, planning on a bigger scale, money coming in, inward investment," he said, speaking to the BBC after the meeting.

"I think that could be better, more streamlined, delivering services much quicker, faster, reliable, and maybe even cheaper as well."

Tory and Labour members voted in favour of cancelling this year's elections, but Liberal Democrats and the one Reform councillor voted against, arguing the move was "undemocratic".

The Lib Dems argued that councillors elected for a four-year term could end up serving for seven years, if Essex County Council was abolished in 2028.

Holding the elections would cost £2.5m, the council said.

The Lib Dems suggested putting on the elections this May, and instead signing up to the government's second wave of devolution - but that motion was defeated.

Earlier this week, Labour-led Southend and Thurrock councils - which are the two other major councils covering Essex county - agreed to work together on local government reform.

It is expected the 15 local authorities in Essex - which includes 12 district and borough councils - would be replaced with between two and five councils.

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