A FORMER MP has warned that council reorganisation could put Colchester’s city status at risk.
Sir Bob Russell, who represented Colchester from 1997 to 2015, has spoken out against changes that could see Colchester Council merged with neighbouring authorities under wider local government reforms.
He welcomed the news that the process had been paused, saying: "I am delighted that the government has abandoned its ill-thought our proposals – but I fear they may now come up with something worse.
"It is clear they have been making things up as they went along.
"There is no mention in the manifesto on which the government was elected that they would abolish councils such as Colchester Council – nor abolish the city status which the late Queen gave Colchester four years ago."
The government announced a pause on its plans for Local Government Reorganisation after months of preparation.
Communities secretary Angela Rayner confirmed a review of the proposals in Parliament yesterday, September 7.
Pam Cox, the current MP for Colchester, says Sir Bob's concerns the city could lose its status were unfounded.
She said: "City status is held by Colchester itself, bestowed upon it by the late Queen Elizabeth II, and is not dependent on the existence of a particular council structure.
"Colchester will remain a city regardless of how local government is organised."
The Labour MP also welcomed the government’s decision to delay the reorganisation.
Ms Cox said: "The government has acted responsibly by pausing the current timetable for local government reorganisation.
"The priority must be getting this right for residents, rather than rushing through changes."
Ms Cox says she is pushing for a new authority based in Colchester, to better represent her constituents.
"I speak with residents every day who are frustrated that around 90 per cent of their council tax goes to Essex County Council in Chelmsford, yet they continue to see neglected roads and pavements and uncertainty over valued local services such as libraries," she added.
"That's why I've championed a new unitary council based in Colchester, delivering local services closer to the communities they serve."
Ms Cox says the Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto includes commitments to devolution, multi-year funding settlements, and streamlining budget processes for local authorities.
Share