City to hear unitary bid outcome

Norwich City Council is expected to find out whether it has been successful in its bid to become a unitary council.

The Department of Communities and Local Government is set to announce the decision on unitary status for the 26 councils in England which applied.

The move would give the city council control of education, social services and trading standards.

Norfolk County Council is against the plans and said it would not be cost effective and would disrupt service.

Consultation period

At present the city council is responsible for a wide range of local services, including planning, housing, waste collection, environmental health and leisure services.

The government is set to announce on Monday a shortlist of successful bidders.

This will be followed by a three-month period of government consultation, leading to a final decision in July 2007.

Any approved new unitary councils would come into place in April 2009.