Basildon Council issue seven point plan for democracy reform

Basildon Council has issued a seven point plan detailing what they want as part of the Government’s plan to reform local democracy, and now want to join forces with other councils rather than work alone.

Council bosses had campaigned for years to divorce from Essex County Council.

In a new report published on Tuesday, the council says it opposes ECC’s plans to form up to four unitary councils with one combined authority serving a large section of the county.

The Echo was told by senior council sources ECC reportedly plans to join Basildon, Thurrock, Epping, and Harlow as a larger authority

But Gavin Callaghan, leader of Basildon Council, said this was a “non starter.”

Mr Callaghan added: “The current system is not fit for purpose. We have campaigned for years to have change.

“We cannot have a combined authority serving more than 500,000 people. That takes the power away from residents.

“Basildon has a huge economy and that needs to be taken into account.”

The leader touted the idea of combining with Thurrock and Brentwood

As part of the report, which will be presented to concilors next week, it states: “South Essex needs two unitary councils and its own combined authority.

“Any new unitary formed in Essex should serve a population of between 300,000 to 500,000 residents.

“We need to protect democratic accountability and any new unitary must serve a sensible geographic area.

“Combined authorities are essential and we need one for South Essex

Phil Turner, the former Conservative leader of the council, added: “It would make more sense for us to join with Brentwood and Chelmsford. That would be the dream ticket.

“Basildon has more in common with residents there.

“If we are part of a combined authority, we do not want to be taking on everyone’s housing problems.

“The merger will mean a lot of taxpayers money will be saved in cutting the workforce, but we have to be careful. It’s being forced onto us at the moment.”