By Cllr Greg Peck

Norfolk County Council has expressed serious concern following the government’s announcement that the planned 2026 mayoral election for the Norfolk and Suffolk Combined County Authority will be deferred until 2028.

The sudden decision means that Norfolk will now receive only around one-third of the investment previously promised under the devolution programme.

The council warns that this represents a significant setback for Norfolk’s communities, economy and long-term growth plans, undermining years of preparatory work and delaying projects vital to residents.

The funding cut is a major blow for Norfolk. The reduction in government support is down to a fraction of the original multi-year commitment, threatening progress in key areas including transport and infrastructure improvements, skills and employment programmes, housing development, local growth and regeneration projects. The previous investment package had been carefully negotiated to deliver benefits across both rural and urban communities.

The council also raised concerns about the lack of consultation prior to the announcement and the disruption caused to ongoing work with partners, businesses and local authorities across the region.

Despite the disappointment, the county council is taking immediate steps to secure the best possible outcome for Norfolk. Actions already underway include:

• seeking urgent clarification from ministers on why the promised investment has been significantly reduced
• pressing for guarantees that long-term funding will be reinstated and protected
• reviewing all implications for Norfolk’s infrastructure, transport and economic strategies
• engaging with district, parish and community partners to assess local impacts
• preparing a formal response outlining how the decision risks holding Norfolk back compared with other regions.

Meetings are being held during December with government ministers to see if there is any room for negotiation on these issues.

Have your say on the future of local government                                                            

Residents across Norfolk can take part in a landmark consultation that will help shape the future of local government in the county. The government is seeking views on proposals for one, two or three new unitary councils in Norfolk.Under these proposals, existing county and district councils would be replaced by new unitary authorities, meaning residents would have a single council responsible for all services in their area.

Norfolk County Council’s submission proposes one unitary council for Norfolk: a single organisation responsible for all local government services, designed to improve outcomes for residents, reduce duplication and deliver long-term financial sustainability.

The consultation runs until Sunday 11 January 2026. All proposals and an online response form are available on the consultation website HERE.

Support is also available at any of Norfolk’s 47 libraries, where residents can access free computers, Wi-Fi and staff assistance to complete the consultation online.

Personally, I support the one unitary for Norfolk option because it:

• creates large recurring savings (around £36–40 million per year) by removing duplicated roles, buildings, systems and management across eight councils
• delivers a faster payback on reorganisation costs – savings expected to outweigh set-up costs within about one year
• frees up money to be redirected from administration into frontline services, helping protect priority areas like social care, highways and children’s services
• allows residents to deal with one council instead of navigating county vs. district responsibilities
• makes it easier for people to access services, report issues and get consistent responses
• removes the “postcode lottery” by ensuring one standard of service and more consistent council tax across Norfolk;
• integrates related services (e.g., housing and social care; waste and environmental health), which is currently split between separate councils
• avoids fragmentation of critical services such as adult social care, children’s services and transport
• improves co-ordination with partners like the NHS and police, which already operate county-wide
• provides a clearer voice when negotiating for investment and devolved powers
• gives Norfolk greater capacity to plan long term, respond to pressures and remain financially resilient.

Cllr Greg Peck, Norfolk County Council, Reepham Division
Tel: 07972 230282
Email: greg.peck.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk

Image: Reepham Community Press