Norwich City Council is delighted at today’s boundary committee announcement that the ‘doughnut’ model for unitary councils in the county has the capacity to fully meet the five government criteria, including all the financial tests.

There is now a very real possibility the two-unitary ‘doughnut’ model will replace the current structure of local government in Norfolk.

We have always been confident that our proposals for the doughnut model, made up of a greater Norwich unitary and a rural Norfolk unitary, would pass the five criteria set down by the government and is the best solution for the region - especially in the current economic climate.

The creation of a unitary authority for greater Norwich would ensure a focus on the distinct issues affecting the city. Recent research has indicated that strong cities will be crucial in helping to weather the current economic storm. Equally, a new rural Norfolk unitary council will provide a focus on the very different issues of the towns, market towns and rural areas.

These are draft proposals at this stage, but we are confident that now the ‘doughnut’ is firmly on the table, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government may well confirm it as her preferred option for implementation.

There will now be an eight-week period of consultation on the doughnut model. We would urge all those who back our campaign for the doughnut to make their views known to the boundary committee over this next critical phase.

The boundary committee will then put forward its final advice to the Secretary of State on 15 July 2009. It is expected that the Secretary of State will then take a decision in September, before putting implementation orders before parliament.

Steve Morphew, leader of the council, said: “We are absolutely delighted the boundary committee now recognises the ‘doughnut’ has the capacity to meet all the government criteria and has put it forward as a proposal for consultation.

“This is a big step forward, but we are not complacent. There is a great deal at stake and we will keep working to promote our case to the boundary committee and ministers who will ultimately take the final decision. We have always believed the best way of improving services and overseeing the massive growth planned for greater Norwich is to create a unitary authority which can focus on the distinct issues that affect the city.

“In the same way, a separate unitary authority for rural Norfolk would be able to concentrate on addressing the very different issues there. This is the best deal for all parts of the county.”