Council votes for three-unitary Council proposal

Date published: 20th March 2025

North Norfolk District Council members voted to support a three-unitary council proposal for Norfolk in response to the Government’s invitation to submit proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), at an historic meeting of its Full Council last night (March 19).

The Government’s English Devolution White Paper published in December has called for the formation of new regional Mayoral Combined Authorities across the country - and for streamlining and reducing the number of local authorities supporting them by 2027-28.

NNDC Councillors debated the scope of the proposed new Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk – and the best structure for new authorities in Norfolk to work with that new governing body in the future, replacing the current model of a county council and seven second-tier city, borough and district authorities which has been in place since 1974.

Council voted by a 23-0 margin (11 abstentions) in favour of a motion expressing disagreement with the Government’s proposals to introduce a unitary local government structure in Norfolk, as it is not convinced such an arrangement will best meet the needs of the District’s communities or deliver the savings and efficiencies anticipated.

After discussing the changes proposed in the White Paper and considering the implications for the District, members voted 23-0 (11 abstentions) in favour of responding constructively to the Government’s proposals to establish a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk - through providing feedback which seeks to promote and protect the interests of North Norfolk’s residents, communities and businesses.

Notwithstanding the Council’s vote to register broad disagreement with the proposals for LGR, a further vote to support three new unitary authorities being formed in Norfolk, in line with recommendations made in a recent detailed and objective report produced by Deloitte, was passed 21-0 (13 abstentions).

So far North Norfolk District Council, King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council, Breckland District Council and Norwich City Council have voted to support three new unitaries being formed, while South Norfolk District Council has expressed a preference for a two-unitary solution. Councillors at Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Broadland District Council will vote this evening.

When all of the authorities in the county have voted, an initial submission will be sent to Government tomorrow detailing the various options for Local Government Reorganisation preferred by the seven district, borough and city authorities. Norfolk County Council meanwhile is sending its own submission advocating a single-unitary model.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will consider these proposals and ask supporters of those it considers viable to commit to further, more detailed and extensive work to make the case for their preferred options ahead of final submission in September.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Tim Adams, speaking after the meeting, commented:

“This is arguably one of the most important meetings of the District Council in its 50-year history in terms of the future delivery of services. I really welcome the way all members contributed to the debate.

“We have deep-seated concerns about where this takes us in terms of the distinctive services that have been provided by North Norfolk District Council, such as maintenance and support for Cromer Pier, provision and maintenance of public toilets, car parks and parks, provision of local housing solutions, coastal management and many other things which are very important to our local communitiies and economies. As such we have registered opposition to the Government model while recognising that this is its agenda.

“Given this, we believe a three-unitary option gives the best available scenario, as it provides the best opportunities for local representation and focus for the residents and businesses of North Norfolk.”

To have your say on proposals for a new Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk or Suffolk, you can fill in the Government’s public survey here

The Government has also published answers to some frequently asked questions regarding Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation, which you can read here