Strong where it counts, local where it matters - one council means better services for Norfolk

That's the message from a new county council report (12 September), which details how a single council for Norfolk would save £39.8 million per year and deliver the biggest benefits.

The Government wants to have fewer councils, known as unitary authorities, which run all services in their area. It has asked existing councils to submit detailed proposals by 26 September.
County council leader, Councillor Kay Mason Billig, thanked residents for their comments earlier this year, which showed that they wanted value for money, improvements to services and avoiding the need to split services up.

She said this would be best delivered by having a single council, as thorough analysis had shown Norfolk would receive the maximum benefits from this.

She said: "Our vision is a new unitary council that is 'Strong where it counts, local where it matters'.

"It gives us the greatest opportunity to improve services, give local people more say on decisions that affect them, reduce waste and duplication and deliver savings, freeing up the maximum amount to be reinvested to deliver for Norfolk.

"A single unitary fully meets the Government's criteria and sets the foundation for a stronger, simpler, and more efficient future for local government in Norfolk."
Norfolk currently has a county council and seven district councils. This means that, wherever you live, you will have some services provided by the county council (such as social care and highways) and some by a district council (such as waste collection and planning).

Norfolk County Council has proposed one new council, South Norfolk District Council proposed two and the remaining six district councils proposed three.

The county council's draft business case highlights a range of key benefits of having one council, including:

• Saving £39.8 million per year, compared to the current eight councils - money that can be invested in improving services
• Removing duplication and joining up services that are currently divided between councils, such as adult social services and housing
• A focus on meeting local needs, by setting priorities at neighbourhood area committees, closer working with town and parish councils and voluntary groups and delivering services through integrated neighbourhood teams
• Avoiding the risk of splitting up crucial, county-wide services such as adult social care, children's services and highways
• Being in a strong position to boost Norfolk's economy, by having a plan for the whole county

The report says: "The outcome of our comprehensive options appraisal is clear that the best option for Norfolk is a single unitary council. A single unitary council for the whole of Norfolk is the only option that fully meets the Government's criteria, ensures a robust, forward-looking model for Norfolk's future, generates the most savings, has the lowest transition costs and will deliver better outcomes for communities."

The draft business case report will be considered by the council's strategic and corporate select committee at 10am on 22 September. You can read the report in the meeting agenda for 22 September 2025.

The full council will discuss the report at 10am on 25 September, before the cabinet takes a final decision on the business case when it meets at 3pm on the same day.

Background

Why are councils facing changes?

The Government has called for local government reorganisation, to make the current system simpler and more cost effective.

Since 1974, Norfolk has had a county council and seven district councils. This means that, wherever you live, you will have some services provided by the county council (such as social care and highways) and some by a district council (such as waste collection and planning).

The Government now wants to replace county and district councils with new unitary authorities, which run all services in their area. Unitary authorities exist already in several other parts of the country.

Ministers have invited detailed submissions from Norfolk's eight councils, by 26 September. Norfolk County Council has proposed one new council, South Norfolk District Council proposed two and the remaining six district councils proposed three.

Why isn't there one proposal for Norfolk?

Like in other areas across England which are undergoing local government reorganisation, Norfolk's councils could not reach agreement on a single proposal and so three different proposals are being submitted - for one, two and three new councils.

Why does the business case support one council?

The council's business case report says: "The outcome of our comprehensive Options Appraisal is clear that the best option for Norfolk is a single unitary council. A single unitary council for the whole of Norfolk is the only option that fully meets the Government's criteria, ensures a robust, forward-looking model for Norfolk's future, generates the most savings, has the lowest transition costs and will deliver better outcomes for communities."

The report says that one council would deliver the biggest savings of £39.8 million per year and repay start-up costs (£42.6 million) in the shortest time. Having two councils reduces savings to £1.5 million per year, with set up costs of £63.3 million. Having three councils would cost £33.8 million more, per year, than the current eight councils, with set up costs of £81.8 million.

The report stresses that: "The single unitary council will be a new organisation built from the best of all our resources, leveraging our existing successes and expertise to create something even greater."

How will savings be made?

The £39.8 million annual savings, compared to the current cost of running eight councils, includes savings from having fewer chief officers and councillors and saving on running costs. This will help the new council to be viable, in the face of continuing budget pressures across local government. The report says: "A single unitary council gives strongest opportunity for robust and financially sustainable local government in Norfolk, without inherently worsening the challenges of building in disadvantage in parts of the area."

When will a decision be taken?

Norfolk's councils will submit their business cases by 26 September. The Government will then stage a public consultation, expected this autumn, on different options, before making a decision. This is expected early next year. We will publicise the Government's consultation, once it has been announced.

When will changes take place?

Once the Government's decision is announced, Norfolk's councils will work together on detailed plans for the new council or councils. It is expected that elections will take place in 2027, when the new council or councils will be set up in "shadow" form, before they formally replace the current eight councils in 2028.