Request to Develop Plans for Reorganisation

A letter was received by Leaders of Norfolk County Council and all of the District Councils to develop a proposal for local government reorganisation, and to set out further detail on the criteria, guidance for the development of proposals, and the timeline for this process.

Local leaders are expected to work collaboratively and proactively to develop one proposal for unitary local government across the whole area. The proposal that is developed may be for one or more new unitary councils and should be complementary to devolution plans.

As Norfolk and Suffolk are in the Devolution Priority Programme, the expectation is for an election for a Mayor in May 2026. Also for an interim plan for the unitary authorities to be submitted on or before 21 March 2025, with a full proposal to be submitted by 26 September. If any proposal is accepted for implementation the aim is for elections to new ‘shadow’ unitary councils as soon as possible.

South Norfolk Council have set up a 'Devolution and Local Government Reform Working Group' to consider options for discussion and agreement by the full council.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-government-reorganisation-invitation-to-local-authorities-in-two-tier-areas/letter-norfolk