Great Yarmouth Borough Council backs Future Norfolk proposal for three new councils for county
Great Yarmouth Borough councillors have voted to endorse a proposal for three new unitary councils for Norfolk as part of the Government's plan for local government reorganisation.
The vote comes after the Government asked local authorities earlier this year to put forward detailed blueprints for a new model of governance in the county.
The county council and seven district councils - including Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) - are all set be replaced by a smaller number of so-called unitary councils that will have responsibility for all services in their areas.
Under the Future Norfolk banner, GYBC, Breckland Council, Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Broadland District Council, North Norfolk District Council and Norwich City Council developed an evidence-based proposal, informed by careful analysis, robust financial planning and extensive community engagement.
The Future Norfolk model would see three new unitary authorities - serving Greater Norwich, East Norfolk and West Norfolk. The proposal is supported by seven of Norfolk's ten MPs, including Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe.
At a meeting today, Councillor Carl Smith, leader of GYBC, told members: ''We want to build on the strengths of our council and our community. This proposal is the result of months of partnership and dialogue across all six councils working under the Future Norfolk partnership.
''These proposals offer the best way forward for our borough and our residents. This is about the future of Great Yarmouth and the future of local government in Norfolk.
''Across Norfolk, nearly 5,000 people shared their views with us and their feedback reminded us what matters most: strong local services, value for money and decisions made with clarity and respect for Norfolk's unique character. People want those decisions to be made by people who know and understand their area. That is why local leadership and accountability are at the heart of these proposals.''
Now the Future Norfolk proposal has been backed by GYBC and the five other councils, it will be submitted to the Government. It includes a detailed business case designed to ensure the three new unitary councils are viable, delivering £220m of savings over eight years.
A Government-led public consultation on the reorganisation is expected to follow in November, giving the public further opportunities to take part before any decisions are made.
More information and a summary of the Future Norfolk proposal can be found online at www.futurenorfolk.com
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