Labour councillors have backed proposals to join Norwich, Lowestoft and Yarmouth in a unitary “wedge” authority.Leaders of Labour groups across Norfolk and Suffolk have announced that they will give their support to plans for a unitary council taking in Lowestoft, Yarmouth, greater Norwich and Acle in a bid to stop the creation of a Norfolk council.

Labour councillors have backed proposals to join Norwich, Lowestoft and Yarmouth in a unitary “wedge” authority.

Leaders of Labour groups across Norfolk and Suffolk have announced that they will give their support to plans for a unitary council taking in Lowestoft, Yarmouth, greater Norwich and Acle in a bid to stop the creation of a Norfolk council.

The Boundary Committee for England has been charged with reviewing local government in Suffolk and Norfolk and has proposed forming a Norfolk unitary council, including Lowestoft.

But Labour councillors last night slammed the proposals and said that since their own suggestions for Yartoft and Greater Norwich unitary councils had been shelved, a wedge council linking the maritime coast with Norwich should be considered.

Mick Castle, leader of the Yarmouth Labour group, said: “We're heartened that the committee has recognised that Lowestoft and Yarmouth are linked economically and industrially, but if we can't have a council joining the two towns on their own then we will opt for something similar with Norwich.”

For more on this story see this Friday's Mercury.