Agenda and draft minutes

Prayers were led by Fr Mark Dimond.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

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To receive Mayor’s communications and announcements.

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To receive any items of business which in the opinion of the Mayor are urgent. 

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(Members are reminded this is a debate, not a question and answer session)

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

The recommendation from the Cabinet meeting to be held on 19^th March 2025 at 10.00am will follow.

A copy of the Cabinet Report is attached.

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Councillor Beales sought Council’s permission to speak for more than the 5 minutes permitted. Council agreed to the request. 

Councillor Beales gave an update on the process undertaken since the English Devolution White paper was published on the 16 December 2024.   Norfolk and Suffolk were accepted onto the Devolution Priority Programme with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) writing to all Norfolk Leaders on 5 February 2025, inviting them to develop proposal for LGR in Norfolk. The letter set out the criteria and what was expected to be included in the Interim Plan for LGR in their area with the interim plan needing to be submitted by 21 March 2025. External consultants Deloitte were appointed to work alongside the officer working group and conduct a high-level options appraisal for LGR in Norfolk against the criteria set by the Government and to use the data collected to evaluate unitary options, whilst also considering the unique identity of Norfolk

As a result of this work an Interim Plan for Local Government Reorganisation in Norfolk had been developed.

Councillor Beales further explained the work, negotiations and discussion which had taken place between the authorities to reach the point where the proposal could come forward for debate and decision by this council.  To date 6 out of the 8 Norfolk Leaders were supporting the proposal set out in the paper in order to present a strong and unified message to MHCLG on the wishes for the future of local government in Norfolk.

He further drew attention to the fact that he had tried to ensure that all Councillors in the authority were given the chance to hear the proposals and comment on them before coming to the full Council meeting to make a decision on the preferred way forward.  He commended the work of all the Council Leaders and Officers involved in the process which was limited to such a short time scale.

Councillor Ring seconded the proposal and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor Long spoke on the proposal lamenting the loss of a 2 tier system and expressing disappointment that all district leaders weren’t in agreement.  He drew attention to the financial position put forward by the County Council, drew attention to high costs of services such as child social services which he felt there needed to be suitable resources available to fund.  He informed Council that the Conservative Group would have a free vote on the matter.

Councillor Bone spoke in support of the proposal in the report for a three council option and drew attention to the fact devolution was in the Labour manifesto.  He thanked the Leader and officers for the work put into the report to date.

Councillor Kemp spoke against local government review in Norfolk generally, but disagreeing with a 1 unitary as too big, and 3 Councils being the preferred of the options available.

Councillor Dark spoke in favour of a single  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:104i