Message from Councillor Tim Adams, Leader of North Norfolk District Council

Date published: 20th November 2025

Communities across Norfolk are encouraged to take part in a once-in-a-generation consultation on the future of Local Government in the county, which launched today. 

The Government is asking for people’s views on three different proposals put forward in response to its drive to reorganise Norfolk’s eight county, city, district and borough councils into new unitary authorities responsible for all local services.  

The options are: 

• Three councils (East Norfolk, West Norfolk and Greater Norwich) – proposed jointly by the Future Norfolk partnership of six district councils: Breckland District Council, Broadland District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, North Norfolk District Council, and Norwich City Council 

• Two councils (Norwich & East Norfolk, and West & North Norfolk) – proposed by South Norfolk District Council 

• One council (covering the whole of Norfolk) – proposed by Norfolk County Council 

The Government’s consultation runs until Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Norfolk and Suffolk Consultation. If you don’t have online access, you are welcome to use the public-access computers available at local libraries. Paper copies of the response form can also be requested by calling your council; however, you must post your response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to be counted.  

The Government is expected to make its final decision in the spring, with elections to the new shadow council(s) in May 2027 and the council(s) going live in April 2028. 

Message from Councillor Tim Adams, Leader of North Norfolk District Council:

"The Government‘s public consultation on the future shape of local government in Norfolk is now live. This is your chance to have your voice heard.

"Norfolk’s existing District, Borough, City and County Councils will be replaced with new unitary authorities. Ministers will decide between one, two or three unitaries across our county. Alongside five other councils, NNDC is backing the three model – Greater Norwich, West Norfolk, & East Norfolk.

"We believe this promises greater accountability and visibility, tailoring services to the distinct needs of each area. Crucially, for North Norfolk, three unitary councils will safeguard essential services like coastal defences and adaptation, and discretionary tourism activity, ensuring they are not diluted in a single, county-wide council.

"Our proposal has secured widespread support, including eight local MPs from across the political spectrum."

You can find more details about the proposals via Future Norfolk.

The Government’s consultation runs until Sunday, January 11, 2026, and can be completed here Norfolk and Suffolk Consultation