South East Essex Council was a proposed English unitary authority for the local government district of South East Essex. The council would have been a constituent member of the Greater Essex Combined Authority. Plans to create it were withdrawn in September 2026.
Background As part of the Starmer ministry local government reform, a goal of "simpler local government structures" was set out by the government, including a commitment to phase out two-tier local government structures. South East Essex Council was announced in March 2026 as the replacement for Castle Point Borough Council, Rochford District Council and Essex County Council in Castle Point and Rochford and Southend-on-Sea City Council in Southend-on-Sea. The area of Castle Point, Rochford and Southend-on-Sea will form the South East Essex local government district.
In September 2026, the Essex proposals were withdrawn by the government in light of new legal advice.
Timeline The first election of councillors was set to take place in May 2027, with the authority taking over local government responsibilities on 1 April 2028. The council would have been a constituent member of the Greater Essex Combined Authority, which is being established ahead of the 2028 Greater Essex mayoral election. The 2027 election was cancelled in September 2026.
References
External links Essex local government reorganisation hub