Local government reorganisation

From April 2028, the existing eight councils will be replaced by three new unitary councils. This is subject to parliamentary approval. Read the Government's announcement.

The three proposed new councils are:

• West Norfolk Council - covering the areas of Breckland Council and the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, along with parts of South Norfolk Council
• Greater Norwich City Council - covering the current areas of Norwich City Council, along with parts of Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council
• East Norfolk Council - covering the current areas of Great Yarmouth Borough Council and North Norfolk District Council, along with parts of South Norfolk Council and Broadland District Council

You can find a map showing areas covered by these new councils on the UK Parliament website.

The Government made the decision to have three councils for Norfolk after considering proposals from local councils and responses to their consultation. Read more about the proposals and decision process.

What happens next

The details of the next steps are still being confirmed, but we expect:

• Autumn 2026: The necessary legal steps are made with Parliament
• May 2027: New authorities are set up in shadow form, with elections in May 2027
• April 2028: New authorities go live and take over from the eight existing councils

Throughout the process, the Council will continue to deliver its business-as-usual services and duties, while working on plans to safely transition services to the new unitary councils.

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Frequently asked questions

What is local government reorganisation (LGR)?

Central Government in Westminster asked councils here - and across the country - to put forward proposals for LGR. Under the new model, county and district councils will be replaced by new unitary authorities.

Local government reorganisation is underway in a number of areas across the country. Find more information about the LGR programme on GOV.UK, including a timeline of the process so far.

What is a unitary council?

A unitary council is a single organisation that looks after all local services. Right now, responsibilities are shared between the County Council and district councils. The Government's aim is to simplify things - so you will have just one council that looks after all the local services where you live.

Why is Government making these changes?

The Government's aim is to create simpler local council structures. The idea is that with joined-up services, people will always know who to contact about local council services in their area.

What consultation was carried out?

Local councils, including the County Council, asked people for their views before sending their proposals to Government in 2025.

The Government ran a public consultation from 19 November 2025 to 11 January 2026 before making the decision announced on 25 March 2026.

Will my council tax change?

No decisions have been made as this will be something for the new councils to decide.

What does this mean for my local service (library, recycling centre, council office, etc)?

There are no changes right now. All council will continue to run services as usual while we plan for the future.

How many councillors will there be?

The Government has confirmed that councillor numbers will be:

• 63 councillors for the new Greater Norwich City Council
• 65 councillors for the new East Norfolk Council
• 72 councillors for the new West Norfolk Council

Elections to the new shadow authorities will take place in May 2027. Councillors will be elected for a first term of five years, with the next election in 2032. After this the standard four-year term will apply.

How is local government reorganisation different from devolution?

Local government reorganisation (LGR) looks at how councils are structured. For example, replacing county and district councils with new unitary authorities, so one council runs all services in your area. The aim is to cut duplication, improve efficiency, and make services easier for residents.

Devolution (including a mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk) is about powers and funding. It transfers responsibilities from central Government to local leaders but does not change how councils are organised.