Two-council plan 'would save up to £90m a year'

South Norfolk Council is proposing two unitary authorities

Another proposal has been presented for the future look of local government in Norfolk.

Just days after the county council proposed plans for one unitary "super" authority to run local services and most district councils suggested an alternative of three smaller authorities, South Norfolk Council says it has concluded that two unitary authorities would be best.

The council says its "credible" plan would save up to £90m a year and make it easier to build new homes across the county.

With political leaders in Norfolk unable to agree on the best way to govern the county, it will now be up to the government to decide which of the three proposals is best.

Norfolk County Council will be abolished, along with Norfolk's district and borough councils, and Norwich City Council, in three years' time

Ministers want to abolish the county council and all seven district and borough councils in three years' time and replace them with unitary authorities that would oversee all council services.

They argue that doing so will save money and provide a better service for residents - and had been hoping local politicians would unite behind one proposal.

'A stronger, more agile Norfolk'

South Norfolk is suggesting two unitary authorities: Norwich and East Norfolk, and West and North Norfolk.

Its Conservative leader Daniel Elmer said: "The two-unitary proposal offers a vision for a stronger, more agile Norfolk.

"It isn't just a restructuring, it's a strategic renewal designed to create a more effective, responsive, and resilient county that is fit for the future."

He said the new councils would be more effective than the present set-up because they would reflect real patterns of work, travel, and commerce.

Because of that, he argued it would make it easier to plan where new homes went and where to build new infrastructure.

The council argues that a two-unitary model, similar to that in Northamptonshire, will save money and not be as expensive as three unitaries but would provide a more localised service for residents than a single authority for Norfolk would.

Norfolk County Council argues that it already provides local services across the county and a single authority would ensure a seamless transition.

The district councils behind the three-authority proposal say residents in the far ends of the county worry that one large authority based in Norwich would not understand local needs.

All three proposals will now be sent to the government, which will decide in the new year which proposal or proposals to consult on.

The plan is for the new councils to take effect in 2028.