Written questions by McMurdock.

Communities and Local Government, with refence to his Department's oral statement of 18 December 2025 on Local Government Reorganisation, Official Report col 1130, what recent discussions his Department has had regarding financial support for whichever restructured council area inherits the debts of Thurrock, Basildon, and Essex Councils.

Thurrock Commissioners were involved in the development of reorganisation proposals and my officials met with them in the course of those and other responsibilities. The Department met with councils following the submission of proposals on 26 September, and officers from Basildon attended the meeting on the five unitary authority proposal meeting in November. Baroness Taylor of Stevenage visited Basildon on 12 December, where local government reorganisation was raised. On the wider question of Thurrock’s debt and the general handling of council debt, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 77936 on 13 October 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with refence to his Department's oral statement of 18 December 2025 on Local Government Reorganisation, Official Report col 1130, what discussions his Department have had with Basildon Council regarding the financial viability of the 5 council model where Basildon and Thurrock would merge.

Thurrock Commissioners were involved in the development of reorganisation proposals and my officials met with them in the course of those and other responsibilities. The Department met with councils following the submission of proposals on 26 September, and officers from Basildon attended the meeting on the five unitary authority proposal meeting in November. Baroness Taylor of Stevenage visited Basildon on 12 December, where local government reorganisation was raised. On the wider question of Thurrock’s debt and the general handling of council debt, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 77936 on 13 October 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Councils offered flexibility to complete reorganisation, published on 18 December 2025, what discussions he has had with local government bodies in Essex on the expected change in the number of councillors following local government reorganisation.

No decisions have yet been taken on reorganisation in Essex, Southend on Sea and Thurrock and as such the Secretary of State has not had discussions on any expected change in the number of councillors. On 5 February 2025, the Government invited two-tier authorities and their neighbouring small unitary councils to develop proposals for unitary local government. In those proposals, areas were asked to include details of the expected number of councillors for any new unitary council. The four proposals submitted by councils in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock each included councillor numbers. Consultation on these proposals closed on 11 January 2026. The Secretary of State will now consider the proposals, alongside consultation responses and other available evidence, before deciding which, if any, to implement.

Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the annual cost to local authorities of servicing Private Finance Initiative contracts.

The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) collect the Unitary Payment information for all PFI Contracts held by Local Authorities annually as part of the HM Treasury PFI Data collection exercise. This is shared with relevant Sponsoring Government Departments on a project-by-project basis, the data is not aggregated by Authority but shown per contract.

Communities and Local Government, with refence to his Department's oral statement of 18 December 2025 on Local Government Reorganisation, Official Report col 1130, what proportion of people employed by councils in Greater Essex does his Department expect will be required for the new council structure.

We anticipate the vast majority of local council workers will transfer to roles in the relevant new unitary council and all workers will be protected by the relevant employment laws.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's oral statement of 18 December 2025 on Local Government Reorganisation, what analysis his Department has conducted on the suitability of establishing parish councils in areas undergoing local government reorganisation.

The government recognises that local authorities undergoing Local Government Reorganisation may wish to establish new town and parish councils through the separate Community Governance Review process. In doing so, they should show how these will contribute to reorganisation’s overall goal of creating simpler structures that deliver high quality and sustainable public services to citizens. The government views the existing Community Governance Review process as suitable in ensuring that parishing arrangements reflect the needs and wishes of local communities.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's oral statement of 18 December 2025 on Local Government Reorganisation, whether he plans to abolish the system of elections by thirds.

The Government has no plans to abolish election by thirds.

Communities and Local Government, with refence to his Department's oral statement of 18 December 2025 on Local Government Reorganisation, Official Report col 1130, whether his Department have any plans to set a per-capita upper limit for debt inheritance for reorganised councils in Essex.

On the management of debt, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 77936 on 13 October 2025. It is the responsibility of councils to manage their budgets, and it is standard for councils to borrow and to hold debt, which they will do in the normal course of business. Local government reorganisation does not change this.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's oral statement of 18 December 2025 on Local Government Reorganisation, whether his Department plans to change rules for the establishment and disestablishment of parish councils.

The government recognises that local authorities undergoing Local Government Reorganisation may wish to establish new town and parish councils through the separate Community Governance Review process. In doing so, they should show how these will contribute to reorganisation’s overall goal of creating simpler structures that deliver high quality and sustainable public services to citizens. The government views the existing Community Governance Review process as suitable in ensuring that parishing arrangements reflect the needs and wishes of local communities.

Communities and Local Government, how many residential and mixed‑use buildings in (a) South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency and (b) England contain reinforced concrete transfer slabs constructed using unsafe historic design methods.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) only holds information related to Higher-Risk Buildings with at least two residential units and cannot provide a response to questions related to commercial premises. For Higher-Risk Buildings, the BSR does not hold specific Key Building Information in relation to reinforced concrete transfer slabs which includes those constructed using prior design methods.

Communities and Local Government, how many commercial buildings contain reinforced concrete transfer slabs constructed using unsafe historic design methods in South Basildon & East Thurrock constituency.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) only holds information related to Higher-Risk Buildings with at least two residential units and cannot provide a response to questions related to commercial premises. For Higher-Risk Buildings, the BSR does not hold specific Key Building Information in relation to reinforced concrete transfer slabs which includes those constructed using prior design methods.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of accessibility requirements for Changing Places toilets in private sector developments.

Through our £30.5 million Changing Places Toilet programme, we have supported the installation of 483 new disabled toilet facilities across 220 local authority areas in England. This targeted investment helped address gaps where provision was limited or non-existent. Although this programme closed on 31 March 2025, changes to the statutory guidance which accompanies the Building Regulations (Approved Document M, Volume 2), made in January 2021, make provision for Changing Places facilities in new buildings other than dwellings (or those undergoing major redevelopment) that fall above a certain size threshold. This aims to significantly increase the availability of these vital facilities over time and makes accessibility a mainstream consideration in how we plan and build our public spaces.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer to Question 99612 on Local Government: Essex, if he will publish the minutes of any meetings held discussing the interim voting arrangements of the combined authority for Greater Essex.

I spoke to leaders in Greater Essex following the announcement of funding and next steps for the devolution agreements that are being developed through the Devolution Priority Programme. The Department has continued to engage closely with them since the announcement, jointly discussing the benefits devolution will bring to these areas. As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer to Questions 99609, 99610, and 99611 on Local Government: Essex, whether financial support will be provided to (a) Thurrock, (b) Essex and its lower authorities and (c) Southend councils to compensate them for preparations made for the 2026 mayoral elections.

I spoke to leaders in Greater Essex following the announcement of funding and next steps for the devolution agreements that are being developed through the Devolution Priority Programme. The Department has continued to engage closely with them since the announcement, jointly discussing the benefits devolution will bring to these areas. As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer to Question 99603 on Local Government: Essex, what discussions he had Cabinet colleagues prior to informing councils that multiple mayoral elections would not proceed in 2026.

I spoke to leaders in Greater Essex following the announcement of funding and next steps for the devolution agreements that are being developed through the Devolution Priority Programme. The Department has continued to engage closely with them since the announcement, jointly discussing the benefits devolution will bring to these areas. As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer to Question 99603 on Local Government: Essex, if he will publish any meeting minutes for meetings held regarding the decision to delay multiple mayoral elections.

I spoke to leaders in Greater Essex following the announcement of funding and next steps for the devolution agreements that are being developed through the Devolution Priority Programme. The Department has continued to engage closely with them since the announcement, jointly discussing the benefits devolution will bring to these areas. As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer to Question 99604 on Local Government: Essex, if he will publish the minutes of any meetings held with councils whose mayoral elections are not proceeding in 2026.

I spoke to leaders in Greater Essex following the announcement of funding and next steps for the devolution agreements that are being developed through the Devolution Priority Programme. The Department has continued to engage closely with them since the announcement, jointly discussing the benefits devolution will bring to these areas. As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.

Communities and Local Government, if he will confirm the timeline for the boundary review for the 2027 Greater Essex shadow elections.

The Government received four reorganisation proposals from Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock councils on 26 September 2025. On 19 November 2025, we launched a consultation on these proposals which will run for seven weeks until 11 January 2026. A decision, on which, if any, proposal to implement will follow the closure of the consultation The Government will work with areas to hold elections for new unitary councils as soon as possible as is the usual arrangement for local government reorganisation. Our desire is that elections will be held to new councils in May 2027 ahead of “go live” for the new structures in 2028.

Communities and Local Government, whether shadow elections for Greater Essex will proceed as previously planned for 2027.

The Government received four reorganisation proposals from Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock councils on 26 September 2025. On 19 November 2025, we launched a consultation on these proposals which will run for seven weeks until 11 January 2026. A decision, on which, if any, proposal to implement will follow the closure of the consultation The Government will work with areas to hold elections for new unitary councils as soon as possible as is the usual arrangement for local government reorganisation. Our desire is that elections will be held to new councils in May 2027 ahead of “go live” for the new structures in 2028.

Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the minutes for any meetings held on Greater Essex's shadow elections scheduled for 2027.

The Government received four reorganisation proposals from Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock councils on 26 September 2025. On 19 November 2025, we launched a consultation on these proposals which will run for seven weeks until 11 January 2026. A decision, on which, if any, proposal to implement will follow the closure of the consultation The Government will work with areas to hold elections for new unitary councils as soon as possible as is the usual arrangement for local government reorganisation. Our desire is that elections will be held to new councils in May 2027 ahead of “go live” for the new structures in 2028.