By Geoff Fisher 
This will be my last “View from County Hall”, as I have decided not to seek re-election as your county councillor at the election on 7 May.
It has been an honour and privilege to serve as your county councillor for the past nine years. I was also a Broadland District Councillor (part of the time as a “twin hatter”) prior to that, so 11 years in total. Long enough, I think.
After a long career in industry, where I spent a lot of time working abroad (Germany, France and Japan), I chaired a couple of charities on retiring. I fell into local politics by accident but hoped that this would allow me a good opportunity to change things for the better. For six of the past nine years, I was honoured to serve in the Cabinet at County Hall.
I would like to say how much I have enjoyed working with your town council. People who put themselves forward for what can sometimes be a thankless task for the good of their community deserve a lot of credit; they work hard for us all. And to those constituents I have met, and possibly helped in some small way, I wish you all the best for the future.
One of the reasons I decided to step down, but not the only reason, is my deep disappointment and astonishment at the government’s decision to create three unitary councils for Norfolk under Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
Norfolk County Council made a robust bid for a single unitary council for Norfolk under the proposals for LGR. This was based on sound financial information with the primary purpose of protecting frontline services, while ensuring value for money.
Norfolk County Council already delivers 85% of local services in Norfolk, so a single unitary authority was the easiest to implement, would ultimately save money for taxpayers and was the most obvious choice for the county. It was also backed by key stakeholders such as the NHS and the police.
None of the other proposals, which would split services and cost more to implement and run, stacked up. It is therefore disappointing that, despite the three-unitary councils proposal not meeting the government’s own criteria, that this is the option chosen.
This may be more a political decision than a practical one and seems irrational. Norfolk County Council also 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. This sudden decision means that Norfolk will now receive only around one-third of the investment previously promised under the devolution programme.
It also means that my successor is likely to be in place for just one year, before another election in May 2027 to the new unitary authority. They will spend a year as a shadow authority setting up the new unitary authority. I did not want to spend a year implementing a plan I fundamentally disagree with and I believe will be to the detriment to Norfolk residents.
I hope I see some of the friends I have made in Reepham when I am in the town, using the excellent facilities on offer, such as the Kings Arms and Motts Pharmacy (where my wife and I get our jabs), the post office and all the other traders in the town.
Finally, I want to thank Geoff Fisher, editor of Reepham Life, which is the best community website in the county, for allowing me to write this occasional column. Also, for his understanding when I have been tardy in providing my contribution.
Cllr Greg Peck, Norfolk County Council, Reepham Division
Tel: 07972 230282
Email: greg.peck.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk
Image: Reepham Community Press