PLANS for a major shake-up of local government in Essexare on hold after the government launched a review in light of new legal advice.

Proposals to merge smaller councils to form larger authorities in the county, as well as in Suffolk, Hampshire and Norfolk have been shelved.

Meanwhile, plans for 14 other areas will also be reviewed and paused.

Communities Secretary Angela Rayner will announce the review in Parliament later today.

She is expected to tell MPs that "in light of legal advice, I want to satisfy myself firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law".

"And secondly, I want to fully test whether our proposals for local government reorganisation meet the priorities of a new administration and a new prime minister and any additional considerations," she will add.

The plans originated under Sir Keir Starmer's government, when Rayner was also local government secretary, before she was replaced by Steve Reed.

Maldon and Burnham were expected to become part of a new Mid Essex Council which would be an amalgamation of Brentwood Borough Council, Chelmsford City Council and Maldon District Council.

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