6 August 2008 - Local Government Review – A Quick Recap
“Great Yarmouth Borough Council believed that the current structure in Norfolk worked perfectly well and made representations to present this view. However, the Boundary Committee was quite clear that a unitary structure for Norfolk (and Suffolk) was feasible and would be putting that view forward whether or not individual councils prepared a case.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council prepared and supported a proposal for three unitary authorities in Norfolk; a Coastal Authority (Great Yarmouth, North Norfolk and part of Broadland), a City Authority – Norwich on wider boundaries, and a Country Authority (Breckland, most of South Norfolk and West Norfolk and Kings Lynn).
The Boundary Committee released its own draft proposals for Norfolk in early July. The model which Great Yarmouth Borough Council supported is not one which the Boundary Committee is looking at and therefore we, as a Council, have to revisit our options. We are not making any quick decisions and are evaluating all the possible options. There is cross party agreement that Great Yarmouth Borough Council will only give support to proposals that are in the best interests of the people who live and work here.”
7 July 2008 - Boundary Committee Proposals
After inviting submissions from Norfolk and Suffolk councils on proposed boundary changes, the Boundary Committee has now released its draft proposal for Norfolk.
It gives three choices - a large unitary council for the whole of Norfolk and incorporating the Lowestoft area, with a second option which would see Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft become one authority and a third option which would make Norwich a unitary authority on expanded boundaries.
The council has until September 26 to consider both proposals and it will be carrying out public consultations to gauge the feelings of residents.
Documents and Links
Great Yarmouth Borough Council Press Release - Boundary Committee Proposal
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Summary of Boundary Committee Proposals (99kb)
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Boundary Committee Draft Proposal for Norfolk and Suffolk Full Report (2951kb)
www.electoralcommission.org.uk - full details of report and supporting documents and maps