Issue - meetings

Executive Summary

Following the submission of final proposals for local government reorganisation (LGR) in Norfolk at the end of September 2025; the Government, through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), is now undertaking a process of statutory consultation on the proposals, inviting key local stakeholders to comment on the three submissions made to the Government for the introduction of unitary councils in Norfolk moving forward.

This report is a covering report, with a detailed appendix as a draft response to the Government consultation; which Cabinet is asked to agree as the Council’s formal submission to the statutory consultation process.

Options considered

Option:1: Cabinet is asked to agree / propose amendments to the draft response (as included in this agenda) and approve its submission as the District Council’s response to the statutory consultation process on Local Government Reorganisation in Norfolk.

Option 2: The Council agrees not to submit a response to the statutory consultation (not recommended).

Consultation(s)

Internal consultation has included:

• Leader
• Deputy Chief Executive
• Section151 Officer
• Monitoring Officer
• Communications Manager

Recommendations

That Cabinet:

1. Comments on the draft response to the statutory consultation as attached as an Appendix to this report, proposes any amendments and approves its submission to Government as the Council’s corporate response to the statutory consultation process.

Reasons for recommendations

To respond to the statutory consultation process being carried out by the Government in respect of proposals for local government reorganisation in Norfolk.

Background papers

The Government’s statutory consultation process which can be found at - Proposals for local government reorganisation in Norfolk and Suffolk - GOV.UK

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr. Tim Adams (Leader)

Contact Officer

Steve Blatch – Chief Executive