New authority scheme considered

Councillors are looking at plans which could see a new super authority taking over the responsibilities of district and county councils in Norfolk.

The Boundary Committee announced on 7 July it was proposing a single unitary authority which would cover all of Norfolk and include Lowestoft.

Norfolk County Council's Norwich area committee look at the plans this week.

The Boundary Commission also saw merit in linking Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Norwich in a unitary authority.

The rest of Norfolk would then be covered by another unitary authority.

It also sees merit in a "doughnut" pattern, with one authority for Norwich on expanded boundaries and one for the remainder of Norfolk which would also include Lowestoft.

The Boundary Committee is asking for views on its draft proposals by 26 September.

Members of the Norwich area committee meet on Thursday.