Epping Forest District Council’s group leaders will meet early in the new year to consider the Government’s offer to postpone the May 2026 district council elections to support the timetable for Local Government Reorganisation.

Potential extraordinary council meeting

If required, an extraordinary full council meeting will be convened before the 15 January 2026 deadline.

The government’s proposal which arrived too late for councillors to debate at the final meeting before Christmas, follows the government’s earlier decision to delay the Mayor of Greater Essex election from 2026 to 2028.

Councillor Chris Whitbread, Leader of Council, has made it clear that he will not be asking the government to postpone the district council elections.

At the recent full council meeting, Councillor Whitbread confirmed he will consult group leaders and, if necessary, bring forward an extraordinary full council meeting to agree the council’s formal response.

Local Government Reorganisation

Under the Government’s Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) programme, existing councils across Essex are expected to be replaced by new unitary authorities from 2028, following elections to shadow councils in May 2027.

The government is currently consulting on 3, 4 and 5-unitary options, alongside proposals for a combined elected Mayor for Greater Essex. All 15 district, county and unitary councils across Essex have been approached for their views on whether they have the capacity to continue with the reorganisation programme while also running elections.