Gavin Callaghan, Labour leader of Basildon Council in Essex, has been campaigning for a South Essex unitary authority for the past 10 years. "It needs to happen," he said.

One Essex district leader described yesterday’s devolution white paper as “the best Christmas present”, but another told LGC there is a “danger” in rushing towards reorganising. There are 12 districts ...

Under Basildon's proposed model, Essex County Council and the unitary authorities of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock - along with the 12 district councils - would be replaced with five unitary ...

The majority of council leaders in Essex have lent their support to the idea of having five all-purpose authorities in the county, in what will be a radical shake-up of local democracy. The current ...

Two Essex councils have suspended rules that prevented newcomers to the area from receiving council tax support. Tendring DC and Basildon DC have put their restrictions on hold after a High Court ...