WORK looking at Colchester Council becoming a unitary authority is set to be paused after senior officers said now is “not the appropriate time”.

In August a member of the public asked the council’s policy and public initiatives panel to look at the move.

A report, due to go before the panel on Wednesday week, has reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of progressing a case.

Councillors will be asked to decide whether they want the Cabinet to continue work on becoming a unitary authority.

If it went ahead it would see the council take on responsibilities such as education, highways, fire, social services and libraries.

These are all services typically run by Essex County Council and Essex Fire and Rescue service.

The report said a proposed unitary authority in Nottinghamshire is expected to deliver £27 million in annual savings.

Advantages highlighted in the report included the council being “more financially robust” and clarity for the public on who runs each services.

But disadvantages include projected savings not materialising and the proposal being politically divisive.

The report said: “There are well rehearsed arguments for the creation of a unitary authority particularly in a continuing challenging financial climate for local government.

“However, there are a number of inter-relating factors which would need to be considered before embarking on a proposal for a request for unitary authority status for Colchester.

“Namely we cannot do this on our own and would require the support of a neighbouring authority in order to demonstrate cost savings and innovation in service delivery which the Secretary of State would be expecting.

“In addition, as the Secretary of State is due to launch a consultation on a new devolution framework it is suggested that now is not the appropriate time to be making a case to Government.”

The meeting takes place at Colchester Town Hall on Wednesday starting at 6pm.