TENDRING Council could gain control of the district’s streetlights, if ambitious devolution plans go ahead.

The move could also see responsibility for roads devolved to district, borough and city councils across the county.

Residents in Harwich hit out at the county council’s money-saving part-night lighting scheme, which sees streets plunged into darkness between midnight and 5am.

It is hoped the move could see streetlights kept on in Harwich and remain off in rural areas where people do not want them on.

Essex County Council is in talks about taking over some powers from Westminster.

In turn, County Hall bosses said they were prepared to hand some of their powers down to local authorities.

County council leader David Finch said: “Essex County Council is really open-minded to what that will mean to district, boroughs and city councils.

“It could mean localising the maintenance of roads.

“If we are going to get devolution from Government we, in turn, need to devolve down.”

Move is backed by Tendring Council leader

THE idea of devolving powers has been welcomed by Tendring Council leader Neil Stock.

He has spoken to county council leader David Finch about the district taking over responsibility for streetlighting.

The district council could pay County Hall to switch the lights back on, but Mr Stock said devolving responsibility for streetlight to Tendring would be a better result.

“I proposed the idea as a perfect example of something that could be devolved down to local authorities,” he said.