10/02/25: Breckland appoints experienced councillor to help shape local government reorganisation

An experienced councillor has been appointed to Breckland Council's Cabinet, to play a lead role in shaping the reorganisation of local government structures in Norfolk.

At a meeting of Cabinet this morning (10 February), Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen, Leader of Breckland Council, announced that Cllr Bill Borrett would be joining the Cabinet with a portfolio focused on devolution and local government reorganisation.

As an Executive Member of the Council, Cllr Borrett will represent Breckland at meetings with the authority's peers to shape what devolved powers could mean for Norfolk and what new structures might best serve the district's - and Norfolk's - residents and businesses.

Cllr Borrett is both a district and county councillor. He currently chairs the district council's Audit Committee and previously served as Chairman. He has also previously Leader of Norfolk County Council and until recently was the county council's portfolio holder for public health.

Cllr Borrett commented: "I am delighted to be appointed to this new role on Breckland's Cabinet. The process of devolving powers from Whitehall to our town halls and reorganising what local government looks like are both very complex pieces of work. It is essential that any changes made in the future are done with the needs of local residents and businesses in mind, otherwise we risk damaging services, bringing in stealth cuts and tax rises, and forcing a poor deal on local people. I will therefore be working closely with Breckland's partners to make sure any proposed changes reflect what our local residents need and that they will bring benefits, not harm, to the people of Breckland."

Leader of Breckland Council, Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen, added: "Bill is an experienced councillor who genuinely understands the people, the economy and the geography not just of Breckland but of Norfolk as a whole. I'm confident that he will be a strong representative and advocate for the council, its residents and its businesses as we work with our partners and ultimately Central Government, on the future of local services."