Norfolk: Local government reorganisation
Documents relating to the government’s programme of local government reorganisation in Norfolk.
Timeline
5 February 2025
The invitation letter sent to Norfolk councils set out their milestones for reorganisation.
They were invited to submit final proposals by 26 September 2025.
19 November 2025
A written ministerial statement was made to Parliament. This set out that a consultation on local government reorganisation in Norfolk was launched.
For the purposes of the consultation, the proposals in Norfolk and Suffolk have been grouped together.
On the same day, the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, Alison McGovern MP, wrote to the leaders of councils in Norfolk to thank them for their proposals and to inform them of the consultation.
25 March 2025
A written ministerial statement was made to Parliament, setting out the Secretary of State’s decision to implement the proposal for 3 unitary councils to be established in Norfolk.
Secondary legislation, which will be subject to Parliamentary approval, will now be taken forward to abolish existing councils, establish new councils and make transitional arrangements.
Accompanying this announcement, a decision letter was sent to Norfolk council leaders.
7 September 2026
On 7 September 2026, the Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth wrote to local government reorganisation council leaders.
This letter announced the withdrawal of the current decisions for:
- Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock
- Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
It also announced a rapid review of the local government reorganisation programme. This includes decisions taken in July 2026 and the 2 outstanding areas awaiting decisions.
The Secretary of State also announced these measures in an oral statement to Parliament on 7 September 2026.