Decision

To provide a consultation response to the Government’s Greater Essex Devolution Consultation be undertaken by the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism (Deputy Leader), as part of the Government’s open consultation process which closes on 13 April 2025.
At the Cabinet meeting on the 17th March 2025, via the Greater Essex Devolution Government Consultation Report (link below), Cabinet:
a) acknowledged work is continuing to ensure that the District of Tendring is in the best possible position should devolution go ahead; and
(b) endorsed the Leader of the Council approving the Council’s response to the Essex Devolution Consultation, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Regeneration and Tourism.

Reasons for the decision

Government has accepted Greater Essex onto the ‘Devolution Priority Programme’, but before taking a decision on whether to proceed to make the necessary legislation to enact devolution in Essex, the Government has launched a consultation seeking views from interested parties on a proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority.
It is important to focus on the residents of Tendring District as the District Council engages with partners on Devolution. While the Council is not a Decision maker on devolution, it should advocate to put local residents and businesses in the best place possible as the Strategic Authority is planned.
The Leader and Deputy exercising their responsibilities on behalf of Cabinet will allow for the District Council to sign off the response at the appropriate time either alone or alongside other local authority partners before the deadline on 13 April 2025.

Alternative options considered

To not respond to the consultation would be possible, but the voice of Tendring District in relation to devolution would not be heard. The Council needs to be best placed to act as both a strong voice for Tendring and to grasp those opportunities for more locally held power.