Agenda item

Executive Summary

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) wrote to all Norfolk Leaders on 5 February 2025 inviting them to work with other council leaders in the area to develop a proposal for Local Government Reorganisation.

The letter sets out the criteria for new unitary councils and what is expected to be received in the interim plan to be submitted by 21^st March 2025.

This report sets out the interim plan and requests Council to indicate a preference order for the options outlined moving forward.

Options considered

The preparation of the interim plan prepared by the district councils in Norfolk considered one, two or three possible unitary authority models for the County and concluded that a three unitary model would best meet the criteria moving forward.

Consultation(s)

NNDC member briefing – 11^th February 2025

Town and Parish Council briefings held on 18^th and 25^th February 2025

Recommendations

1. Council expresses its view that it disagrees with the Government’s proposals to introduce a unitary local government structure in Norfolk; as it is not convinced that such an arrangement will best meet the needs of the district’s rural communities and residents or deliver the savings and efficiencies anticipated.
2. Accepting, however, that this is the position of Government as detailed in the English Devolution White Paper, the Council strongly objects to proposals being suggested for a single unitary authority covering the whole of Norfolk in that it will be of a very large scale in terms of area and population served, will not be able to reflect the distinct communities of place and interest which exist across the county, and not meet the definition of “local” government in understanding local places or in providing services tailored to meet local needs.
3. The Council therefore strongly supports proposals for a three unitary council model for Norfolk in the future as the basis of the interim plan to be submitted to Government.  The Council believes that such an arrangement would best meet the six key criteria laid out by Government and would see one authority based on the urban area of Norwich; an authority covering the West of the county with a strong agricultural and agri-tech economy and an East authority with a key focus on clean energy and tourism.
4. Council therefore agrees that its response to Government regarding local government reorganisation in Norfolk to be submitted by 21^st March 2025 makes reference to an Interim Plan proposing three unitary councils in Norfolk as detailed at Appendix 3 with the submission of the response to be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

Reasons for recommendations

To respond constructively to the Government’s invitation to local authorities in Norfolk to put forward proposals for a unitary council local government structure which seeks to promote and protect the interests of North Norfolk’s residents, communities and businesses in the context of new council structures and complements proposals for a Norfolk and Suffolk Mayoral Combined Authority.

Background papers

Appendix A – MHCLG letter of 5^th February 2025

Appendix B – Deloitte report

Appendix C – draft Interim Plan prepared by the Norfolk district councils.

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr T Adams, Leader of the Council

Contact Officer

Steve Blatch, Chief Executive,

steve.blatch@north-norfolk.gov.uk