Norfolk councils push for three-unitary model as Government responds to reorganisation plans
Leaders from six Norfolk councils say splitting the county into three new authorities centred on Norwich, Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn would deliver better services and stronger local representation
Six Norfolk councils have confirmed they are continuing to push for a new three-unitary model for the county, following a formal response from the Government to their joint reorganisation proposal.
The plan would see the current two-tier system of local government replaced with three new unitary authorities, each responsible for all council services in their area. The proposed new councils would be centred around Norwich, Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday (7 May), the councils said they would examine the Government’s feedback in detail but remain confident in their model.
“We remain confident in our comprehensive vision for a three-unitary model for the county,” they said. “We believe it will deliver significant benefits for our communities: including improved public service outcomes, enhanced local economic growth and stronger democratic representation.”
The councils argue that splitting the county into three separate authorities would allow for more responsive and locally focused services, reflecting the distinct needs of different areas. They also say the model avoids the risk of any one area dominating the others.
The proposal has been submitted by Breckland, Broadland, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, North Norfolk and Norwich councils. Their plan is designed to align with the Government’s criteria for local government reform, which encourages proposals that respect existing boundaries where possible and improve service delivery.
“The three-unitary model proposes the establishment of three distinct unitary authorities centred around the historic urban centres of Norwich, Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn,” the statement continued. “This structure is designed to reflect the functional and geographic significance of these areas as civic and economic hubs.”
One of the next steps for the group will be a public consultation to help shape a full business case, which must be submitted to the Government by September.
The reorganisation proposals form part of a wider reform process. In December 2022, Norfolk County Council agreed an in-principle devolution deal with the Government. However, in September 2024, ministers withdrew support for a single county deal and instead proposed a mayoral combined authority for Norfolk and Suffolk.
On 16 December 2024, the Government published a devolution white paper, confirming that areas like Norfolk would be expected to move from a two-tier to a unitary council structure. In response, Norfolk County Council has submitted a rival proposal for a single unitary authority covering the entire county, claiming it could save £29 million a year.
The six councils supporting the three-unitary model argue that their approach would better reflect local identities, provide more balanced representation, and deliver services that are more tailored to individual communities.