Decision Confirmed

Local Government Reorganisation Statutory Consultation

Yes

The statutory consultation seeks views on the proposals that the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has received following the Secretary of State’s invitation to councils in Norfolk and Suffolk to submit proposals for unitary local government for their areas.

Fri 9 Jan 2026

Governance

Yes

Portfolio

Carl Smith

Yes

No

No

No

To ensure that the Council's perspective is clearly represented and formally considered, it is essential to provide a response to the three different proposals put forward regarding the Government’s initiative to reorganise Norfolk’s local councils into unitary authorities responsible for delivering all local services. By submitting a response, the Council demonstrates its commitment to actively engaging in the consultation process and advocating for the interests of its residents and community.

The rationale for the feedback on each option is set out within the appended response.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Carl Smith has consulted with the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Members Working Group on a proposed draft response to the Government’s consultation, noted their feedback, and has approved the Final Response appended to this report to be submitted as the Council’s corporate response to the statutory consultation process.

Broadly the consultation feedback endorses the three unitary model whilst outlining concerns as to the appropriateness and efficacy of the other options.

The Council could choose not to submit a response to the statutory consultation proposals presented to central government. Withholding a response is not a recommended option as, such a decision would mean that the authority's perspective and local priorities are not formally recorded or considered within the consultation process.

The rationale for the negative feedback on the 1 and 2 unitary models is set out within the appended response.