Transforming Norfolk: the case for a three-unitary solution for our county

The case for creating three unitary councils for our region, set out in the 18 March council report, also supports one of them being a Greater Norwich – based on urban boundaries.

City councillors will be asked to vote on the recommendation to make the case to Government for creating three unitary councils as part of its plans for local government reorganisation in our region.

The detailed reports, which include a thorough analysis of one, two and three unitary options for reorganisation across Norfolk, were provided by independent experts Deloitte.

Deloitte’s assessment clearly identified a three-unitary solution as the best option for Norfolk when carefully weighed against the Government's criteria.

Mike Stonard, leader of the city council, said: “Next week I will seek support from my fellow city councillors for a three-unitary proposal. This is about what is best for Norwich as well as all our communities across the whole of Norfolk.

“The most important thing we can influence right now is the decision about the size and number of unitary authorities that will be established in Norfolk.

“A three-unitary model, with one of those councils being a new unitary Norwich on urban boundaries, is an exceptional case because Norwich has its own distinct challenges, opportunities and sense of place, making it unique within the county and very different to its surrounding rural communities.

“Norwich is the jewel in the crown of the county’s economy and when Norwich succeeds, Norfolk and a whole succeeds”.

The case for a three-unitary model with a Greater Norwich

• Norwich has an economy and specialisms that function differently from other urban centres.
• Cities like Norwich accelerate national growth. The UK’s economic growth depends on cities which generate the majority of national GVA (Gross Value Added – a measure of the economic productivity of a region, industry or sector).
• It will power activity and growth across the area and wider proposed devolved area.
• Norwich, on an urban boundary, enables a clear economic role for each place in the wider region.
• An urban Norwich can set the right foundation for long term sustainable growth and prosperity and can deliver transformed services better tailored to the issues of an urban area.
• Having an urban, fast growth city as a constituent member of the Mayoral Combined Authority is critical to devolution plans.
• It aligns with our community's sense of place and provides a stronger platform for local voices and democratic representation.

Unitary options for Norfolk, developed by the county’s seven district councils

Option 1 – single county unitary

Option 2 – two-unitary option

• Unitary 1: Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, Breckland, and the North Norfolk county divisions of Fakenham, the Raynhams, Holt and Wells
• Unitary 2: Broadland, Great Yarmouth, Norwich, South Norfolk and the remainder of North Norfolk.

Option 3 – three-unitary option

• Unitary 1: Greater Norwich on extended boundaries
• Unitary 2: Breckland, Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, and the North Norfolk county divisions of Fakenham and the Raynhams, Holt and Wells.
• Unitary 3: Great Yarmouth, the remainder of Broadland and South Norfolk and the remainder of North Norfolk.

Next steps

The city council’s interim submission will be presented to council for consideration and recommendation on 18 March ahead of cabinet on 19 March. Cabinet will consider and approve the submission to Government on 21 March.

Findings from this initial business case will be considered by all district councils at their respective full council meetings, week commencing 17 March.

This will present the work jointly developed by Norfolk’s district councils which has ranked the three-unitary model as the highest against Government criteria.

The districts will continue to work together to develop this option further for a final submission to Government in September, including a full business case.

According to the Government’s timetable, new unitary councils for Norfolk will be live by May 2028.