Meeting with Future Norfolk about the Unitary Council Proposal
- easternlandlords
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
You may likely be aware that local government is undergoing some major changes over the next few years and councils across the country have been asked by the Government to propose new models that reduce the number of authorities. The deadline for submission is 26th September 2025.
In Norfolk, there are three options currently on the table – Norfolk county Council are backing a single unitary council for the entirety of Norfolk; South Norfolk are backing a two unitary proposal, on an East-West split; and, the remaining six councils – under the banner of Future Norfolk – People, Place Progress – are proposing three new unitary authorities.
Why is the Local Government reorganising?
National Government have asked local councils to reorganise in order to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks.
The Borough of King's Lynn and West Norfolk and Breckland Council are keen for the changes to reflect what matters most to the communities they serve so invited various representatives to join the workshop at The Corn Exchange, Kings Lynn, with attendees including landowners, housing developers, investors and us, ELA, as the closest geographically serving landlord association.
With their proposal built around three principles they also have this available for viewing online at Future Norfolk - Future Norfolk.
• People – Strengthening local democracy and giving communities a stronger voice
• Place – Celebrating the identity and strengths of each area
• Progress – Delivering sustainable, future-ready services
Their presentation expressed a desire to forge powerful new partnerships which would address the challenges faced at present, providing a single point of contact and more efficient structures and help realign boundaries to assist rethinking in how services can be effectively delivered.
Why 3 unitary authorities and how could Norfolk look?
The Government have instructed that the “new unitary structures should enable stronger community engagement and deliver genuine opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment”. Future Norfolk believe that the best way to do this is with three unitary councils in Norfolk looking as follows:
West Norfolk – The Productive Heartland
Gateway to the west
Resilient economy in agri-food and engineering
Strong market towns boosting footfall
East Norfolk – The Energy Coast and Home to Rural Progress
Frontline to UKs climate transition
Leader in rural enterprise
Driving innovation
Greater Norwich
Urban centre with deep history
Economic engine with international reach
Blend of creativity, science and civic ambition
What is the timeline left?
September 2025 - Business cases to be submitted
March 2026 - Decision on LGR in Norfolk expected
Spring 2026 - Norfolk and Suffolk Mayoral County Combined Authority goes live
May 2026 - Mayoral elections
May 2027 - New Council elections
April 2028 - Go live for new Councils
Throughout the workshop, numerous interactive discussions took place, with industry participants asked to express their specific needs from the council. They shared insights on how services and investments should be structured to address long-term challenges, as well as their views on the housing market in general. Full collaborative support between councils and those responsible for providing housing stock is essential for the restructuring to be truly successful.
Having looked closely in to this, any option other than 1 single unitary authority defeats the intended aim of driving efficiency. Should 3 unitary councils be formed, the costs are greater than the current set up that we have in Norfolk. From a housing perspective, with the current debacle of GYBC looking to bring in another unnecessary Selective Licencing scheme, it would bode better for both tenants and landlords to have one authority that could be funded correctly to administrate the PRS, better than they currently administer the Social Housing they are responsible for.