Devolution

Learn what devolution is and find the latest updates for devolution in Essex.

The Greater Essex devolution consultation, led by UK government closed in April. The consultation ran from Monday 17 February 2025 to Sunday 13 April 2025.  

The consultation asked residents for their views on a proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority for the local government areas in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock. 

The consultation invited those who live and work across Greater Essex to share their views on: 

  • the proposed geography 
  • the effect of establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority in Greater Essex 
  • how the Mayoral Combined County Authority will make decisions 

The Government has confirmed that Greater Essex has ‘passed the legal tests’ and that devolution and work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority can proceed. This decision follows the eight-week consultation held between February and April. 

Frequently asked questions about devolution in Essex

What has happened so far?

Friday 18 July 2025 

The Government has confirmed Greater Essex can proceed with its devolution work. It has confirmed Greater Essex has ‘passed the legal tests’ and work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) can continue. The decision follows an eight-week consultation held between February and April. 

Wednesday 9 April 2025 

Our leader has welcomed the ‘huge opportunity’ to shift power into the hands of residents. This includes the proposed creation of a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA). 

Monday 17 February 2025 

The UK government’s consultation on Greater Essex devolution is now live. This is your chance to have a say on the proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority. This would cover the local government areas of Essex County Council, Thurrock Council and Southend-on-Sea City Council. 

Wednesday 5 February 

The UK government has confirmed that Essex will be part of its Devolution Priority Programme. This includes Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council. The UK government has also confirmed that the elections scheduled for May this year for Essex County Council and Thurrock Council will be suspended. 

Friday 10 January 2025 

Following an extraordinary Full Council meeting held on Friday 10 January 2025, Essex County Council, alongside Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council, has written to the UK government to request inclusion on the government’s Priority Programme for Devolution. 

Tuesday 7 January 2025  

An extraordinary Full Council meeting will be taking place on Friday 10 January 2025. In it, Councillors will discuss whether Essex County Council should take part in the Government’s devolution priority programme, which includes local government reorganisation and the potential for new unitary (all-purpose) council structures to be introduced across Essex. 

What is devolution?

Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from UK government to local authority level.  It is important because decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect.  

Devolution will provide greater freedoms and flexibilities for councils to work more effectively to improve public services and outcomes for residents and businesses.  

What does devolution look like?

A devolution deal will create a new single body, known as a Strategic Authority, for Essex. This will initially take the form of a combined county authority.  

These arrangements will be agreed prior to the first Mayoral election, which will take place in May 2026.  

The key functions of the strategic authority will include strategic transport functions, such as support for buses, trains and concessionary fares, skills and driving economic growth.  

What is the difference between Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation?

Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from UK government to local government. Local Government Reorganisation is about how local government powers and funding are organised between councils. 

Find out more about Local Government Reorganisation in Essex.

What will devolution mean for us?

In Greater Essex, devolution could mean:  

  • improved co-ordination of transport across the whole county to make it easier for people to commute and travel 
  • better skills and training for adults, tailored to the jobs available locally because money is spent locally rather than by the UK government  
  • better job opportunities  
  • improved health and wellbeing 
  • maximising the local natural environment and tackling climate change  
  • a stronger voice for Essex with UK government – at the moment, the UK government finds it difficult to know how to talk to Essex as a place  
  • more strategic control over planning and housing 

You can read more about devolution in other areas  

What is Greater Essex?

Greater Essex refers to the combined area represented by Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council, and Thurrock Council.  

What is the Devolution Priority Programme?

The Devolution Priority Programme is for areas aiming to move towards devolution quickly. It is aimed at areas wishing to establish a Mayoral Combined County Authority.  

The Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution has outlined that participants must have local agreement to progress around a sensible geographical area.  

What is a Strategic Authority?

A Strategic Authority is a legal body set up using national legislation, with its own board and governance arrangements.  

This will enable a group of two or more councils to collaborate and make collective decisions across council boundaries.  

Depending on the form of devolution in an area, there are three levels of Strategic Authority available: 

  • Foundation Strategic Authority: Available to those areas without an elected Mayor. It will have limited devolution. For example, the current Lancashire devolution deal will establish a Foundation Strategic Authority. 
  • Mayoral Combined County Authority:  For those with an elected Mayor, a range of powers will be devolved. For example, the West of England is a Mayoral Combined County Authority. 
  • Established Mayoral Strategic Authority: For those Mayoral Strategic Authorities, who are able to satisfy a number of additional governance requirements. They will have access to the most devolution. Greater Manchester and the West Midlands are already at this stage. 

The UK government is looking to create a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Greater Essex by May 2026. 

What is a Mayoral Combined Authority?

A Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) is a local government body that enables two or more county councils and unitary councils to work together and make decisions on issues which affect the whole county. The MCCA will have a directly elected Mayor, who chairs the combined authority. 

What will the Mayor do?

The UK government’s intention is for devolution to be accompanied by a directly elected Mayor. If this happens in Essex, we expect the Mayor will ultimately take on the current role of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.   

What powers will the elected Mayor have?

The Mayor will be directly elected by the people of Essex. The elected Mayor will have the ability to speak directly to government ministers and secure funding for local projects. They will also be able to make strategic decisions, help attract investment and improve infrastructure.  

What is the role of a directly elected Mayor in a Mayoral Combined County Authority compared to a local council Mayor?

The main difference lies in their scope of responsibilities and the level of governance they will oversee. 

A directly elected Mayor in a Mayoral Combined County Authority has a broader role that typically covers multiple local councils within a Combined or Strategic Authority. The directly elected Mayor will  have significant powers over strategic functions such as: 

  • economic development 
  • housing 
  • infrastructure 
  • Transport 

For example, in Essex the elected Mayor will also serve as the Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner. The Mayor will make strategic decisions, help attract investment and improve infrastructure. 

On the other hand, a Mayor for a local council is responsible for the governance of a single local authority. The mayor's powers are more focused on the day-to-day administration and local services within that specific council area. They work closely with the council to implement policies and manage local services such as: 

  • community services 
  • local planning 
  • waste collection 

The key difference is that a Mayor in a Mayoral Combined County Authority has a wider, more strategic role that spans multiple councils. Local council Mayors focus on the governance and services within a single local authority. 

What is the role of Mayors compared to council leaders?

The UK government believes that within Strategic Authorities, Mayors should have a unique role to focus on devolved responsibilities. Council leaders are expected to lead their areas and deliver essential services. 

What is a Combined Authority?

A Combined Authority is a legal body set up using national legislation that enables a group of two or more councils to collaborate and take collective decisions across council boundaries. It is expected that Combined Authorities will be replaced by Strategic Authorities. 

Read more about Combined Authorities in the LGA’s publication. 

When can we expect this to take place?

The UK government is looking to create a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Greater Essex by May 2026. Mayoral elections will take place in that month. 

Why were the county council elections in May 2025 postponed?

The postponement would be for an initial period of a year, but if proposals to reorganise local authorities are agreed, it is likely that there would be no further elections to Essex County Council until its abolition, other than by-elections. 

Did residents have a say in this?

The UK government’s consultation ran  from Monday 17 February to Sunday 13 April 2025. This was supported by local activity in Essex to reinforce messages with local audiences including residents and businesses. 

Where can I find out more?