The councils in south Essex who will NOT be holding elections this year have been announced.
Both Basildon and Thurrock councils will see local elections scheduled for May 2026 postponed for one year.
This decision is part of a wider national move by the Government affecting councils in areas undergoing local government reorganisation.
The same postponement applies to Harlow Council.
This follows a letter from Steve Reed MP, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, to council leaders confirming the changes.
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Mr Reed said: "This Government remains steadfast in its commitment to streamlining local government by replacing the outdated two-tier system with single-tier unitary councils, a landmark reform essential to ending the two-tier cost for local taxpayers and creating stronger local authorities equipped to drive economic growth and provide exceptional services to the public we serve.
"After carefully considering the representations made by councils, parliamentarians, residents, and wider local government stakeholders, I have decided to bring forward legislation to postpone the local elections scheduled for 7 May 2026 for a period of one year for the following councils.
"I have listened to concerns regarding the resource pressures of running intensive elections for councils proposed for abolition shortly thereafter.
"By delaying these elections, I am confident that we will be releasing essential capacity within councils to allow your teams to focus their full energy on the complex reorganisation process, while also addressing concerns regarding the cost of holding elections for bodies that will soon cease to exist."
The Government's plan is for the new unitary councils to be operational from April 2028.
A total of 29 councils across the UK, including Basildon and Thurrock, will see their elections postponed this year.
Not all councils will see their elections delayed.
Elections are planned to go ahead in Rochford and Southend, as well as elections for Essex County Council.
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