Norwich's bid for unitary status

What is unitary status?

A unitary council is a single council responsible for the delivery of all local government services in a particular area. It is widely recognised as the easiest, clearest and most efficient model for local government, and this system operates in most urban and city areas across England. Unitary government also operates across the whole of Scotland and Wales.

What currently happens in Norwich and Norfolk?

Unitary government does not currently apply in Norwich and Norfolk. We have a two-tier system, with different services provided by different levels of government.

Local government services in the built up area of Norwich are currently run by four different councils:

Three district councils - Norwich City Council covering most of the built up area (129,700 people), Broadland District Council covering most of the north side of the city (approx 75,000 people), and South Norfolk Council covering some of the south of the city (approx 15,000 people).
One county council - Norfolk County Council covering the whole of the city (and the rest of Norfolk too).

The three district councils provide services such as housing, refuse collection, street cleansing and litter collection, culture, parks and development control.

The county council provides such services as children's services, adult social care, libraries, strategic planning and transport and waste disposal.

Across the rest of Norfolk, the picture is equally confusing. There are a total of seven district councils, plus Norfolk County Council covering the whole county area. Although there is some joint and partnership working, in practice this means there are overlaps and duplication of services, resulting in public confusion about which council provides which services, and therefore which councillor to ask for help.

Why would unitary government be better for Norwich and for Norfolk?

Norwich is the biggest city in England which does not have unitary status. We believe there are potential significant economic, social and environmental benefits for local people that could be achieved if unitary status were to be introduced across the whole county;

Greater efficiency

more integration of complementary services
less duplication of services (eg there are 8 teams of finance, personnel and legal services across the county)
greater consistency in service delivery and standards
stronger purchasing power to achieve better costs
closer partnership with police and health services.

More local focus

clearer and greater political accountability
easier access to services for local people
no confusion about which council is delivering which services
all funds raised locally will be spent locally
more targeting on local needs and aspirations.

Stronger economic focus on the city of Norwich

status as a viable city in its own right, as well as a regional hub
attracting growth in jobs, wealth, culture and tourism
tackling social inequality and poverty
greater national and international influence and credibility.

Strategic leadership

clearer political leadership – one leader for each area
stronger neighbourhood empowerment and engagement
more focussed partnership working.

What is happening now?

Local government minister Rosie Winterton has today (10 February 2010) announced the government’s intention to make Norwich a unitary authority on its existing boundary after considering recommendations made by the Boundary Committee for England.

An implementation order was laid before Parliament the same day, which if approved, would create a unitary council for the city providing all key services, including children’s services and adult social care.

This would mean the local elections scheduled for May 2010 will not go ahead and would instead be replaced by all-out elections to the new unitary council in May 2011. The new unitary council for Norwich would come into effect in April 2011. Norfolk County Council and the six other district councils in Norfolk will continue to provide the services they already provide in the rest of the county.

The government rejected the boundary committee’s recommendation of a single unitary council for the whole of Norfolk, a proposal originally submitted by Norfolk County Council. Instead, it accepted our long-held ambition for Norwich to take control of its own destiny.

Although we had lobbied strongly for a unitary council for greater Norwich, the case for unitary status on our current boundaries was part of the original bid we submitted in 2007.

Our corporate improvement and efficiency programme, which aims to make savings of £8 million in the next two years and continue the improvement of services, will be unaffected by the unitary decision.

Chief executive Laura McGillivray says: “We have never wavered from our belief that unitary status for Norwich is in the best interests of the city and the rest of the county and we are absolutely delighted the government has given Norwich the recognition it deserves.

“Our proposal for a unitary on existing boundaries will result in the more efficient delivery of services for people in the city. It means we can focus on the distinct issues that affect the city and in the same way the county council can concentrate on the issues affecting the rural areas.”

We will keep you updated with any further developments.

The full ministerial statement can be viewed here.

Timeline for unitary developments