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People have been invited to answer questions to shape a process which would see all eight of Norfolk's councils scrapped and new ones created. Norfolk County Council has launched an online questionnaire, saying it needs the public's help to draw up plans for how councils should look in the future. Norfolk County Council's County Hall headquarters Questions posed include which services people feel are provided well, where improvements could be made, how easy it is to contact councils and councillors and what they want to see for their area.
It comes as the Labour government oversees what would be the biggest shake-up in how Norfolk's councils are set up in 50 years . The local government reorganisation process would sweep away the current system in Norfolk, where there are two tiers of councils. The county council provides services such as adult social care, children's services, the fire services, recycling centres, libraries and museums.
The other seven councils provide services such as housing, collecting rubbish, planning applications, licensing and environmental health. But, under the changes, all eight councils would be abolished and replaced with new, unitary councils, providing all services . There has been speculation there could be up to three unitary councils.
All the districts, except South Norfolk - which backs the idea of two - have said they favour three. Norfolk County Council has said one authority would bring the most savings, but is also open to two councils. Tom McCabe, chief executive of Norfolk County Council (Image: Supplied) Tom McCabe, chief executive at Conservative-run County Hall, said: "We have an opportunity to build on the best features of our current councils and create something that delivers efficient and effective services, with strong community links, which meets your needs.
“We want to hear from people and organisations in Norfolk on what’s good at the moment, what could be improved and what you’d like to see for your local area, before we draw up our detailed proposals." The feedback form is at www.norfolk.
gov.uk/LGRfeedback and runs until May 20. The government wants final proposals to be lodged by September and ministers have said they are prepared to impose a model if there is not consensus among councils .
Local government reorganisation is running in tandem with devolution, which would see Westminster transfer powers to Norfolk, plus an elected mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk ..
