Agenda and draft minutes

RESOLVED: Councillor B Long was appointment Chair for the meeting.

RESOLVED: Councillor T Parish was appointed Vice-Chair for the meeting.

Councillors Everett and Rose were present under Standing Order 34 in person.

Councillors Bhondi, Bone, Bullen Coates, Collingham, Fry and Nash were present on Zoom under Standing Order 34.

There were none.  

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RESOLVED: That under Standing Order 7.2, the Final Proposal for Local Government Reorganisation in Norfolk be considered as Urgent Business at this meeting.  It is required to be taken as an urgent decision due to the requirement to submit the final proposal to the Secretary of State by 26^th September 2025.

The Leader, Councillor Beales introduced the report.

The Chief Executive commented further on the content of the report.

The Chair reminded Members this meeting was to scrutinise the proposal of the future of this council and not the principle of Local Government Reorganisation. The Chair invited questions and comments from the Panel.

Councillor Heneghan indicated her support for the proposal and was looking forward to the opportunities a new authority would bring. She added there would be no doubt which authority delivered which services. She  thanked all Officers and the Leader for their hard work.

Councillor Kemp echoed Councillor Heneghan’s comments on the proposal and indicated her support. She sought clarification and assurance on the calculations of financial figures and the viability of taking on three new services- Children Services, Adult Social Care and Transport Services. She asked for further details on the transition cost and how this was to be afforded.

The Leader, Councillor Beales commented this was a matter of serious debate and questioned if these serviced could be run with local allocation. He explained having three unitaries allowed local determination. He referred to the report and appendices and highlighted the services and needs were analysed throughout the report. He provided assurance the numbers had been crunched and this was affordable. He added there was risk as this was only projection but outlined the current model was failing therefore moving to a model which has proven to work in other areas. He summarised there was going to be three distinct services and that partnerships can work. 

The Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer referred to the Member Briefing and presentation given previously which outlined the financial figures. She explained this was based on the 2025/2026 budget of all eight authorities. She added expertise was required in regard to new service areas and based on evidence and learning from others experience.

Councillor Kemp commented it would have been useful to Members to have seen those financial figures in the report.

The Chair, Councillor Long asked considering the financial figures being included for Norfolk County Council where was the money being spent and sought clarification if a demand analysis had carried out.

The Leader, Councillor Beales explained the proposed shape of the unitary had been questioned and Norwich City Council were a low spend but high income authority. He highlighted the complexity of six leaders and geographical areas and sustainability. He commented the west was financially robust, followed by the east and Norwich being sustainable. He highlighted the Section 151 Officers were challenging the figures to ensure the models were sustainable as required by the criteria  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

To be confirmed as necessary.

To be arranged when required.