Norfolk reorganisation sparks controversy

Council leaders have hit out at plans to include part of Suffolk in a new unitary authority for the whole of Norfolk.

Local government met the unprecedented recommendations from the Boundaries Committee for England  with anger and disbelief. The committee published recommendations for the restructuring of local government in Norfolk, Suffolk and Devon.

The committee suggested that Lowestoft should be included in a single unitary authority that would also swallow eight Norfolk councils.

'Shocking' proposals

Mark Bee (Con), leader of Waveney DC  in Suffolk, called the proposals "shocking". He said: "If this is the best that the Boundaries Committee could come up with then this exercise has been a waste of time and money."

He added the prospect of administering Lowestoft under a Norfolk unitary "would have no popular appeal" and expressed concern that the town would be seen as "very much down on the priority list" next to the poorer parts of Norfolk.

Barry Coleman (Con), leader of Great Yarmouth BC , said "I am personally concerned that the preferred option will be less effective. Norfolk will become one of the largest unitary authorities in the country and, while there may be economies of scale, it is hard to see how it will meet all our needs in such a diverse population."  

Norfolk CC: 'Simplest solution'

Only Norfolk CC  welcomed the recommendations. The council's leader Daniel Cox (Con) said the new county unitary would be the "simplest, clearest and most cost-efficient solution."

"It is the least disruptive in terms of its impact on the 'big ticket' services such as social care and education and I am pleased today's draft proposal keeps Norfolk and Norwich together," he added.