Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation explained
Devolution is about shifting power to local areas. The government would transfer powers and funding to local governments. This shift is meant to allow local authorities to make decisions closer to the communities they serve, leading to more effective and better-targeted public services. For Norfolk, this will lead to a mayor for both Norfolk and Suffolk combined. That Mayor's powers would include responsibility for a range of areas, including economic growth, housing delivery, strategic planning, transport, skills and the ability to set a council tax precept.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), on the other hand, is about optimising the structure of local authorities to improve efficiency and achieve better service delivery. The Government's vision is for simpler council structures, which make it clear who is responsible for services. These unitary authorities will operate over a larger area than existing districts and will take on the functions of both districts, boroughs, cities and county councils, thereby changing them from 'two-tier' local government systems to 'single tier' systems. For Norfolk, this means fewer and larger unitary councils compared to the current two-tier model, which has a total of eight local councils covering the county. The exact number, shape and size of any new unitary councils for Norfolk are to be determined following the submissions to the government on 26 September. There were three submissions for one, two and three unitary councils. This council supported the three unitary model. The government then launched a public consultation on 19 November 2025 that closed on 11 January 2026. The council's response as a statutory consultee can be found on our site shortly.
The Government has announced its 'minded to' decision to progress a three‑unitary model for Norfolk as part of its Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) plans, saying it believes a new structure of three councils would provide the best outcomes for residents of the county.
Three options had been submitted for consideration by Norfolk councils: a one‑unitary, two‑unitary and three‑unitary model to replace existing councils in the county.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council had supported the three‑unitary model alongside Breckland District Council, Broadland District Council, the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, North Norfolk District Council and Norwich City Council.
