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Essex and Norfolk CCs have hit out at ministers ignoring the advice of Whitehall officials over reorganisation plans as the prospect of legal challenges grows.Reform UK-led Essex CC released the letter it had received from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in response to its threat of judicial review to local government reorganisation (LGR) plans for the county. The letter reveals that MHCLG officials had recommended communities secretary Steve Reed plump for the county's three-unitary proposal to replace Essex's two-tier structure, as it met all the criteria ‘more strongly than the other three proposals'.Officials also argued it was ‘the only proposal we assess to be financially viable within five years'. Despite the advice, Reed opted for a five-unitary option for the county in March when he announced plans for reorganisation in the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) areas of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hampshire and East and West Sussex. The announcement has led to a string of counties – particularly those now led by Reform – and several districts threatening legal action over the decision. Essex CC leader Cllr Peter Harris described the news revealed in the letter as ‘beyond staggering', adding: ‘It is as clear as day that ministers chose to ignore their officials in pursuit of what were clearly political goals, heaping millions of pounds in costs on to taxpayers in the process. ‘To choose the worst financial option meant effectively jeopardising the future of services to our most vulnerable adults and children. ‘The credibility of this whole process is in tatters.'Harris said he had written to the Government asking them to withdraw their proposals, adding: ‘Unless they do, we will have no choice but the launch a judicial review of their decision in the coming days.'While Norfolk CC said it was not releasing its correspondence with the Government on the matter, the council has reportedly also received a letter from the Government.Again, it is believed that officials advised ministers to back the county's proposal for a single unitary to replace county and district authorities in 2028. Nonetheless Reed opted for a three-unitary option.Reform-UK's deputy leader at Norfolk, Robin Hunter-Clarke told local media that it ‘made a mockery' of the LGR process. He added: ‘The minister now needs to address these allegations. If he cannot provide a clear, evidence-based justification for departing from his own officials' advice, then the entire process must stop.'The letter to Essex CC also reveals that Reed emphasised to officials his objective of reorganisation ‘increasing housing supply, supporting devolution, place, and improving community cohesion'.Reed also emphasised the importance of reorganisation reflecting ‘local identity' and for councils to be connected to communities – points he outlined when announcing the Government's backing for particular proposal in DPP areas.It is not yet known if government letters have been received by other counties in the affected areas.MHCLG has been approached for comment.

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REORGANISATION

Reed defied officials' advice on DPP reorg plans

By Paul Marinko | 18 June 2026

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