In a landmark development for Greater Essex, Essex County Council has officially approved the formation of a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA), paving the way for transformative change across the region.
This pivotal decision promises to unlock new powers, attract significant investment, and open up fresh opportunities for communities throughout Greater Essex.
The establishment of the MCCA will empower local leaders to take charge of the region’s future in critical areas such as economic growth, transport, housing, skills development, and infrastructure planning.
During the Council Cabinet meeting held on Thursday, 16 October, Councillor Kevin Bentley, Leader of Essex County Council, described the vote as “an historic moment for Greater Essex”.
He stated:
“This isn’t just any vote; this is very historic. You are about to create something brand new for this county that will last for decades, if not longer than that.
I feel very excited about the prospect of what can be achieved in this county, and you are about to make that happen.”
Councillor Mark Durham, Cabinet Member for The Arts, Heritage and Culture, drew inspiration from former Prime Minister and Essex MP Winston Churchill, expressing hope that the decision would allow Greater Essex to “move forwards into broad sunlit uplands”. He added:
“Perhaps we should regard this as our finest hour.”
The proposal received broad support across party lines within the Council Chamber.
Councillor David King, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, emphasised the importance of collective effort:
“This is a really important moment as you’ve said and it requires us all to put our shoulder to the wheel and to continue down the path that’s set here, and therefore I want to be really plain that I support this. It can make a huge difference done well.”
Councillor Ivan Henderson, Leader of the Labour Group, called it an “exciting time” for the region and acknowledged the contributions of council officers:
“I welcome this. I also want to mention that all of these changes, all of the work that’s taken place so far has been as a result of fantastic officers we have had, not just on this council but also around those city, borough and district councils who have all got involved. This is a big upheaval for a lot of those officers, but I think we should show our appreciation for all their work which has got us to where we are now.”
Councillor Wendy Stamp, Member of the Non-Aligned Group, addressed public concerns and voiced her support:
“I know people have concerns, but I think if they are informed and give it a chance it is going to be better for everybody in the long term.
I congratulate this authority, yourself, your cabinet and members of the opposition for actually taking this brave step to go forward and you do have my support.”
The MCCA will be backed by a new multi-million pound, 30-year Mayoral Investment Fund, designed to support strategic initiatives that create jobs, enhance skills, build housing, and improve transportation across Greater Essex.
The new authority will encompass Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council, and Thurrock Council. Both Southend and Thurrock have already completed their governance processes and agreed to the arrangement earlier this year.
Pending final approval in Parliament, the MCCA is expected to be formally established in early 2026, with the first mayoral election scheduled for May of that year.
Image credit: iStock
