We have welcomed a statement from community groups calling for community to be at the heart of plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
The statement has been endorsed by leaders from across the Essex Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. It sets out how LGR is an opportunity to unlock the potential of communities.
Coordinated by the Essex Community Foundation (ECF), it outlines five practical principles. These include local government that reflects communities, a formal role for the sector in governance and long-term investment in place-based support.
Councillor Kevin Bentley, Leader of Essex County Council, said: “We are pleased to see such a strong and unified voice from Essex’s voluntary and community sector. The sector plays a vital role in Essex, delivering over £1 billion in added value and bringing together more than 17,500 staff and 95,000 volunteers across the county.
“We fully support the principles set out in the joint statement and as we move forward, we will continue working with the VCFSE sector to create a stronger, fairer Essex, where decisions are made closer to the people they affect.
“Our own proposal for LGR, published on Wednesday 10 September, reflects these principles. In it, we have committed to long-term investment in place-based support, helping to champion community-led solutions and ensuring local people have a strong voice in their own future.”
Read the full statement on the ECF website.
Find out more about LGR in Greater Essex.