North Norfolk District Council met on 24 September 2025, and agreed to submit a proposal for local government reorganisation in Norfolk to the government. They also approved funding for temporary accommodation, a budget for coastal works, and works to the Overstrand sea wall. Councillors reviewed recommendations from the Constitution Working Party and received portfolio reports from cabinet members.

Local Government Reorganisation

The council endorsed a final proposal for a three-unitary model for local government reorganisation (LGR) in Norfolk, named Future Norfolk – People, Place, Progress – The Power of Three . This followed an invitation from the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution for Norfolk councils to submit final proposals by 26 September 2025.

The proposal was developed collaboratively by North Norfolk District Council, Breckland District Council, Broadland District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, and Norwich City Council. Consultants Inner Circle Consulting supported the development of the proposal.

The council had previously considered its position on LGR at a full council meeting on 19 March 2025. The Agenda Frontsheet 24th-Sep-2025 18.00 Council noted that councillors had two options:

• Submit the proposal for three new unitary authorities.
• Agree not to submit the proposal (not recommended).

The council voted to submit the proposal. The Agenda Frontsheet 24th-Sep-2025 18.00 Council stated that a three unitary model:

offers a compelling and credible pathway to public service reform that is strategically aligned, financially sound and rooted in local identity. It positions Norfolk to deliver better outcomes for residents, strengthen democratic leadership, and contribute meaningfully to the Government's wider devolution and public service transformation agenda.

The council delegated to the Chief Executive Steve Blatch, in consultation with the Leader of the Council Councillor Tim Adams, the approval and submission of the final proposal to the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution.

Cabinet Recommendations

The council approved several recommendations from the cabinet:

1. Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF): The council agreed to allocate £0.9 million from the additional income from the Second Homes Premium as match funding for the LAHF grant. This was discussed at the Cabinet Meeting on 31 March 2025, detailed in the LAHF3 TA purchase Cabinet March 25 document.
2. Coastal Management Budget: A dedicated cliff works budget of £125,000 was established, to be administered by the Coastal Management Team. This was discussed at the Cabinet Meeting on 31 March 2025, detailed in the Reactive Coastal Works FINAL VERSION 19.03.2025 document.
3. Coast Protection Works at Overstrand: The council approved required works to the Overstrand sea wall (option 4 in the report), adding £1.280 million to the Capital Programme for 2025/26. This will be funded by £0.245 million of capital receipts, £0.386 million of grant funding (if obtained), and the balance from borrowing. The scheme will be funded by up to a maximum of £1.035 million of borrowing, which could be reduced to £0.649 million if the council successfully obtains grant funding. This was discussed at the Cabinet Meeting on 31 March 2025, detailed in the f Cabinet Report - Overstrand CP scheme - March 2025 v7 document.
4. Budget Monitoring: The council approved a decrease in the 2025/26 capital budget for the Mundesley Coastal Defence scheme to £1,139,806, and an increase in the 2025/26 capital budget for the Cromer Coastal Defences scheme to £1,096,067. This reflects the apportionment of £250,000 from external contributions to the Cromer Scheme. The council also noted the contents of the Q1 Treasury Management update report. This was discussed at the Cabinet Meeting on 8 September 2025, detailed in the Draft Budget Monitoring Report P4 2025-26 - updated document.

Review of the Constitution

The council approved all proposed changes to the council's constitution, and delegated to the Monitoring Officer the authority to make any further amendments that may arise as a consequence of the proposed changes.

Portfolio Reports

The council received reports from cabinet members on their portfolios:

• Councillor Tim Adams - Strategy, Countrywide Working and External Partnerships, Performance, Communications, HR & Legal Services.
• Councillor Harry Blathwayt – Coast
• Councillor Andrew Brown – Planning & Enforcement
• Councillor Wendy Fredericks – Housing and People Services
• Councillor Callum Ringer – IT, Environmental & Waste Services
• Councillor Lucy Shires – Finance, Estates & Assets
• Councillor John Toye – Sustainable Growth
• Councillor Adam Varley – Climate Change & Net Zero
• Councillor Liz Withington – Community, Leisure & Outreach (Including Health & Wellbeing)