Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97401 on Local Government: Essex, what discussions he has had with Essex County Council on the costs incurred by their preparations for the 2026 mayoral election in Greater Essex.

The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater Essex and elsewhere on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) setting out the significant powers the Mayoral Strategic Authorities will have to deliver for their communities prior to the inaugural election of the Mayor. We will continue to encourage close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP and other Mayoral Strategic Authorities elsewhere in England, ahead of the inaugural mayoral elections. This will assist DPP areas to learn from other Mayoral Strategic Authorities.

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.

Police and Crime Commissioners will continue in their roles and deliver for their areas, and will be expected to work with local leaders in new mayoral strategic authorities once established. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire functions at the correct time. The strategic authorities will be required to comply with existing legislation regarding financial controls and be required to set up audit and scrutiny committees to oversee the work of the Strategic Authority.