19/11/2025: Joint statement: Have your say on future of Norfolk's council services in Government consultation

Communities across Norfolk are encouraged to take part in a once-in-a-generation consultation on the future of Local Government in the county, which launched today.

The Government is asking for people's views on three different proposals put forward in response to its drive to reorganise Norfolk's eight county, city, district and borough councils into new unitary authorities responsible for all local services.

The options are:

• Three councils (East Norfolk, West Norfolk and Greater Norwich) - proposed jointly by the Future Norfolk partnership of six district councils: Breckland District Council, Broadland District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, North Norfolk District Council, and Norwich City Council
• Two councils (Norwich & East Norfolk, and West & North Norfolk) - proposed by South Norfolk District Council
• One council (covering the whole of Norfolk) - proposed by Norfolk County Council

The Government's consultation runs until 11 January 2026 - find out more atthe Government's Norfolk: Local government reorganisation webpage. (opens new window)

If you don't have online access, you are welcome to use the public-access computers available at local libraries. Paper copies of the response form can also be requested by calling your council; however you must post your response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to be counted. 

The Government is expected to make its final decision in the spring, with elections to the new shadow council(s) in May 2027 and the council(s) going live in April 2028.

Joint statement:

In a joint statement, the Council Leaders of the districts proposing three unitaries, said: "Six councils and eight MPs are standing together behind a clear, evidence-based case for three unitary councils, informed by careful independent analysis of all options, robust financial planning to ensure all three councils are viable and deliver savings, and extensive conversations with our communities about your priorities.  

"We concluded that three unitary councils would best serve the people and places of our large and diverse county. Three unitaries will deliver clearer local accountability, with democratic decisions made by local representatives closer to communities, and more responsive services tailored to local needs, strengths and opportunities of each area, while still remaining large enough to operate efficiently across all council services.

"Now we are encouraging residents, community groups, parish councils and other partners to look carefully at all three options and come to your own conclusion on which would be best for you and your own local community. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restructure local government services in Norfolk, so make sure you have a voice and take part in the consultation to influence the Government's decision."   

Future Norfolk - proposal for three councils

The Future Norfolk proposal would create:

• 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

This proposal for three councils is also supported by the following Members of Parliament: Steffan Aquarone (Liberal Democrat) for North Norfolk, George Freeman (Conservative) for Mid Norfolk, Terry Jermy (Labour) for South West Norfolk, Clive Lewis (Labour) for Norwich South, Rupert Lowe (Independent) for Great Yarmouth, Alice Macdonald (Labour) for Norwich North, James Wild (Conservative) for North West Norfolk, and Adrian Ramsay (Green) for Waveney Valley.

People can read more onthe Future Norfolk website. (opens new window)

Leaders of the six Future Norfolk councils:

• Breckland District Council: Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen
• Broadland District Council: Councillor Sue Holland
• Great Yarmouth Borough Council: Councillor Carl Smith
• Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk: Councillor Alistair Beales
• North Norfolk District Council: Councillor Tim Adams
• Norwich City Council: Councillor Mike Stonard