STORY
Essex County Council has begun legal proceedings against the Government over local government reorganisation proposals. LocalGov reported that council leader-elect Peter Harris confirmed the move after writing to Local Government Secretary Steve Reed to outline the authority’s intention to mount a legal challenge.
The dispute relates to plans for the future structure of local government in Essex, where ministers have been considering options for creating new unitary authorities. Essex County Council has previously argued for a model based on three unitaries, while alternative proposals would divide the area differently.
The legal action follows a wider period of debate over local government reorganisation and the timetable for elections and new authorities. The case is likely to be closely watched by other areas considering structural reform, particularly where councils disagree over the size and number of future authorities.