Decision

RESOLVED to approve Uttlesford District Council’s position to inform a single, joint response to the government from all the Essex Councils on the Structural Changes Order for Local Government Reorganisation as summarised below and as detailed in Appendix 1:

•         To confirm the Council’s position on warding arrangements for the Uttlesford area of West Essex Council

•         To confirm the Council’s recommendations for Returning Officers for West Essex Council

•         To confirm the Council’s position on parish election arrangements 

Reasons for the decision

To respond to the Government’s request for input to the drafting of the Structural Changes Order that Government will prepare and lay before parliament later in 2026 to facilitate delivery of Local Government Reorganisation in Essex.

The government believes reorganising councils into a smaller number of single-tier unitary councils will deliver stronger local councils equipped to deliver high quality public services.

In March 2026, the government set out its minded to decision to implement the five unitary model. Under the five unitary model, the area of Uttlesford District Council will come together with the areas of Harlow District Council and Epping Forest District Council to form a West Essex Council, which will also undertake delivery of services and responsibilities disaggregated from Essex County Council.

The Structural Changes Order sets out:

•                      dates for transition,

•                      how the new unitary councils will be established (and current councils abolished),

•                      how the new unitary councils will be initially established in ‘shadow’ form in 2027 and until they formally go-live in 2028,

•                      arrangements for elections

•                      other transitional arrangements

Responding to this request for input ensures that the views of the council are considered in the drafting of the SCO.

The council is looking to respond to the consultation jointly with other councils in Greater Essex before the deadline on 29 May 2026. 

Alternative options considered

None.