26/09/25: Joint statement - Six councils submit joint vision to strengthen Local Government services in Norfolk

Six district councils have today submitted to Government their strong, shared vision for the future of Local Government in Norfolk, which aims to ensure decisions about local services are taken closer to communities and tailored to local needs. 

All six councils (see below) have voted to propose three new unitary councils to replace the current eight, in response to the Government's drive for Local Government Reorganisation. All councillors have had the chance to scrutinise, debate and vote on the joint 'Future Norfolk' proposal over the last fortnight.  

This submission 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, and James Wild (Conservative) for North West Norfolk. 

Joint statement: 

In a joint statement, the Council Leaders said: "We stand together as six councils with a clear, evidence-based case, demonstrating that three unitary councils rather than one mega council will best serve the people and places of our large and diverse county, informed by careful analysis, robust financial planning and extensive community engagement.  

"Three unitaries will mean local decisions can be made by local representatives who understand their communities, and more responsive services tailored to local needs, strengths and opportunities, while remaining large enough to work efficiently across all council services, supported by a robust eight-year financial business case designed to ensure all three councils are viable and deliver savings.  

"From the start, we have rightly put our local communities at the very heart of our thinking and gone out to speak directly with local residents, parish councils and others over the summer, who tell us loud and clear that local accountability, service responsiveness and efficiency are their priorities.  

"Submission to Government represents a huge amount of detailed joint work involving Council Leaders, CEOs and project teams at all six authorities, together with extensive community engagement and democratic debate. At this milestone, we would like to thank all involved, as we look ahead to the Government consulting this autumn on all proposals it has received." 

The Future Norfolk proposal produces: 

• 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 

People can read the full details at FutureNorfolk.com

Leaders of the six councils: 

• Breckland 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