Who should deliver services in Norwich and Norfolk?

Plans for a huge shake-up of local government in Norwich and Norfolk have moved forward.

And local residents have until April 13 to give the UK government their views on the proposals to create three new unitary councils for Norfolk.

This would see the current eight local councils across the county replaced with three larger ones.

Those in favour of the changes say residents would gain by having all their important services delivered locally by those who know their own communities well.

Norfolk is currently run by eight councils – Norfolk County Council plus the seven, smaller district, city or borough councils: Breckland, Broadland, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, North Norfolk, Norwich and South Norfolk.

Known as an upper-tier authority, Norfolk County Council is responsible for services including adult and children’s social care, library services and roads.

The others’ responsibilities include refuse collection, leisure facilities, parks, environmental health, licensing and planning.

The smaller councils commissioned their own report, which leaned in favour of Norfolk being run by three unitary authorities.

It suggested one would cover the current Great Yarmouth, Broadland and South Norfolk areas – along with most of north Norfolk.

Another would have the remainder of north Norfolk – as well as Breckland and King’s Lynn, and west Norfolk.

The final area would be what is currently Norwich, with the possibility of its boundaries being expanded – a model supported by Norwich City Council.

And two reports endorsing this model have now been given formal backing by the city council’s decision-making cabinet.

Mike Stonard, leader of Norwich City Council, said: “Greater Norwich is unique within Norfolk. It is the economic and cultural capital of the region and it drives growth.

“These are just two of the reasons why a Greater Norwich Council needs its own single unitary council – a place where people who live and work here, who understand the city, and who really know their local communities, can represent the best interests of their residents.

“Over the past few months, we have worked closely with our district council colleagues to shape a vision that isn’t just about structures and governance.

“Instead, it is about how we deliver for the people and businesses of our city, and wider county, as well as how we secure Norwich’s place at the heart of regional and national growth.”

The city council will continue to develop the three-unitary model, including a Greater Norwich Council, for final submission to the government on 26 September 2025.

The model will include a full business case and fully worked-up boundaries for the new Greater Norwich Council.

Local residents have until April 13 to complete a survey by clicking here.