Three new local councils will better serve the people, places and future of Norfolk

A partnership of six local councils has published a shared proposal which, if implemented, would see the creation of three new unitary authorities in Norfolk — Greater Norwich, East Norfolk and West Norfolk, replacing the existing district, borough, city and county councils. The proposal aims to ensure decisions about local services are taken closer to communities and tailored to local needs.

Working together as 'Future Norfolk', the councils - Breckland Council, Broadland District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, North Norfolk District Council and Norwich City Council - have worked together to develop a single, evidence-based submission which supports thriving communities, attracts investment and delivers for the long term.

The plan has been unveiled following months of careful planning and has been informed by the findings of a public survey focused on people's priorities for the future. It has been drawn up in response to the Government announcing it plans to replace Norfolk's existing councils with a number of new organisations which would bring together local government services.

Under the Future Norfolk banner, the submission sets out how three unit aries would deliver clearer local accountability, more responsive services and better value for money while remaining large enough to operate efficiently across all council services. The proposal is built across three key themes: People, Place, and Progress.

People

Decisions made nearer to residents, with clear accountability and genuine dialogue, deliver services that work and achieve better results over time. Norfolk can thrive as services can be shaped and tailored to the strengths and needs of each area and delivered efficiently to meet local priorities

Place

Three councils aligned to sensible geographies and local identity will reflect different needs across the coast, countryside and city while keeping delivery efficient — Greater Norwich, East Norfolk and West Norfolk.

Progress

Financial resilience is central. The submission includes an eight-year financial business case designed to ensure all three councils are viable, with benefits maturing through transformation and recurring savings building from Year 4.

The proposal produces:

• Three local authorities which are of significant size and scale
• Three authorities which reflect the differences across Norfolk - from city to coast to countryside
• Three authorities which have economic opportunities which, partnering with the new Combined Authority, can unlock new homes, new skills and new jobs for local people
• Three authorities whose communities are different, with distinct needs best served by bespoke local public services
• Three authorities which are financially sustainable, safe and legal, with real opportunities to drive efficiencies, savings and local benefit

Joint statement from council leaders:

This is about People, Place and Progress. Three local councils will bring decisions closer to communities, reflect the different needs of our coast, rural areas and city and deliver joined up services that are simpler, faster and better value for money.

Three unitaries will mean local decisions can be made by local leaders and representatives who live in and understand their communities, services can be shaped by and tailored to the strengths and needs of each area while councils are still large enough to work efficiently in delivering people's priorities across all council services, making the most of opportunities for Norfolk to thrive.

Over 5,000 residents and stakeholders helped shape this plan recently. We've listened, we've tested the options and we're now putting forward a practical blueprint for Norfolk's future — ready for councillors to debate this month and for public consultation in November.

People can read a summary of the proposal at www.futurenorfolk.com.

Next steps

Councillors across the six authorities will scrutinise, debate and vote on the proposal before it is submitted to Government on 26 September. A Government led public consultation is expected in November, giving everyone further opportunities to take part before any decisions are made.