Sam Chapman-Allen, leader of Breckland Council, said it was "odd" the government was ready to abolish and redraw councils before reshaping the most costly service local government provides.

Sam Chapman-Allen, leader of Breckland Council (Image: Breckland District Council)

All eight of Norfolk's councils could be abolished and replaced under the biggest local government shake-up in 50 years, under Labour's plans to devolve powers from Whitehall.

That would see elections for a new mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk in 2026 and elections for the new unitary councils the following year.

READ MORE: Reform UK over Norfolk council elections cancellation

Yet, long-term funding and reform for adult social care - the biggest expense for Norfolk County Council, which currently provides those services - is still years away.

Government ministers intend to create a National Care Service to transform social care - but recommendations for long-term reform will not be made until 2028.

And Mr Chapman-Allen, speaking in his role as chairman of the District Councils' Network, said: "It is odd that the government is rushing into the reorganisation of local government to create vast new councils before it decides whether the biggest and most costly service run by the sector should remain run by councils or be moved into a National Care Service.

"A local government which oversees social services, which are often perceived to depend heavily on economies of scale, should surely look very different to one that does not.

"The danger is that we build a system of local government which is remote from communities with much of any rationale for creating mega councils immediately being superseded by the creation of the National Care Service.

"The form of local government should reflect its function, not vice versa.

"It is likely that when local government is reorganised, new unitary councils will be left with little choice but to shift budgets from valuable universal services including housing, economic development, leisure centres and waste collection to fund growing social care costs."

Norfolk County Council's County Hall headquarters (Image: Mike Page)

Norfolk County Council is due, on Thursday, to decide whether to postpone its May elections, so proposals for the future of councils in Norfolk can be worked up.

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