Norfolk district councils remain confident that three unitary authorities is the best option

Council leaders remain confident in their belief that three new authorities would be the best option for Norfolk.

Now, six district councils in the county are preparing to launch an extensive consultation as they put together a full business case ahead of devolution in the county.

This will see the district and county councils abolished and replaced with new unitary authorities - with debates ongoing as to what the ideal number of these is.

The district leaders believe three would be best - although Norfolk County Council would like to see one as it would save the most money.

A joint statement has now been released from West Norfolk Council leader Alistair Beales and Sam Chapman-Allen (Breckland), Sue Holland (Broadland), Carl Smith (Great Yarmouth), Tim Adams (North Norfolk), and Mike Stonard (Norwich).

“The Government has responded to our joint proposal for the reorganisation of local government in Norfolk, which we will now examine in detail over the coming days,” they said.

“Collectively, we remain confident in our comprehensive vision for a three-unitary model for the county, which we believe will deliver significant benefits for our communities: including improved public service outcomes, enhanced local economic growth and stronger democratic representation.

“Our model is rooted in our detailed knowledge and experience of Norfolk and our clear understanding of how to address the unique challenges and opportunities ahead while aligning closely with the Government's criteria for local government reorganisation.

“The three-unitary model proposes the establishment of three distinct unitary authorities centred around the historic urban centres of Norwich, Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn.

“This structure is designed to reflect the functional and geographic significance of these areas as civic and economic hubs, ensuring that local governance is both effective and responsive to the needs of our diverse communities.

“This approach also aligns with the Government's preference for maintaining existing boundaries where possible while providing a clear rationale for necessary changes to optimise service delivery and community alignment.”

The statement added: “Our three-unitary model will enable tailored approaches to local economies and housing, recognising the distinct characteristics and needs of each area.

“It will also provide a balanced power dynamic ensuring that no single entity dominates and that local voices are heard across the county.

“One of our next steps will include launching a significant public and stakeholder engagement exercise to listen to the views of local people to help us refine this proposal into a full business case that maximises the potential of devolution and local governance in Norfolk by the Government deadline of September.”