Broadland District Council: Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Norfolk

Devolution for Norfolk

Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It is important because it ensures that decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect. For our area, the proposal is for powers to be devolved to a new ‘Strategic Authority’ for Norfolk and Suffolk, overseen by a newly elected Mayor for the area.

The Government began a public consultation on devolution in February 2025, which will remain open for comments until 13 April 2025. You can view the Council's response to the Norfolk and Suffolk devolution consultation which was agreed at its Council meeting on 20 March 2025.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Sue Holland said:

“Norfolk's diverse landscape demands a local government structure that remains truly local, responsive, and accountable. I believe a three-unitary model offers the optimal balance, ensuring both efficiency and a deep understanding of our communities' unique needs."

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Norfolk

The Government is reorganising two-tier areas in England (e.g. areas which have both a County Council and a District Council) to create more efficient and streamlined structures in the form of new Unitary Councils. Unitary Councils are a single tier of local government responsible for all local services in an area.

For Norfolk, this means fewer and larger Unitary Councils compared to the current two-tier model which has a total of eight local councils covering the county. The exact number and shape and size of any new Unitary Councils for Norfolk is to be determined. All Councils in Norfolk have been asked to submit reorganisation proposals to Government by 26 September 2025.

Broadland District Council, working alongside Breckland District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, North Norfolk District Council, The Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, and Norwich City Council, has agreed to develop a business case for submission to Government, seeking to explore the opportunities of a three-unitary model for Norfolk.

High level timeline

• Friday 21 March 2025 – submission of LGR interim plan to Government (completed)
• Friday 26 September 2025 – submission of LGR full business case to Government
• New Unitary Councils up and running in Norfolk by 2028

You can see a series of frequently asked questions below.

If you have a question that is not covered by the below, or you feel that an answer requires further clarification, please email lgr-bdc@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk and we will consider it for inclusion.

Public consultation

We are committed to involving residents in developing future proposals and will carry out a public consultation as the process develops. We will also seek the views of local organisations and local business. Watch this space for the launch of the consultation very soon.

Local Government Reorganisation FAQs

The Government’s Devolution White Paper and subsequent direction from Ministers requires all local authorities in areas where there are currently two tiers of local government, to develop proposals for re-organisation.

This will be a once in a generation change that effects local people and services for decades to come and it is important that there is proper consideration of the options and meaningful consultation with residents, key local organisations, including business, and our public sector partners.

These are ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for residents at this early stage in the process.