Opposition group leaders at Norfolk County Council have raised concerns over the way local government reorganisation is being handled and the need for a full public debate.

Opposition group leaders at Norfolk County Council have raised concerns over the way local government reorganisation is being handled and the need for a full public debate.

Labour leader Irene Macdonald, Liberal Democrat leader Barbara Hacker and Green group convener Chris Hull have written to county council chief executive Tim Byles asking him to intervene to ensure a full and open debate at County Hall on reorganisation proposals which could see a unitary Norwich City Council.

The three opposition parties are worried that "decisions on what could fairly be regarded as potentially an extremely important constitutional issue have been made by cabinet and not by council."

They want a full council debate on the issue and public involvement and consultation on any changes.

Ms Macdonald said: "We are unhappy about the way in which this is being done without an adequate debate within the council and involving the public."

Norwich City Council is angling for unitary status under a local government shake-up, which would give it control over issues such as education and social services.

Of the move by the county council to allow decisions on the issue to be taken by the cabinet, Ms Macdonald said: "This is the most blatant decision that I have seen of a small group of people making a decision that will have a wide ranging impact."

In the letter to Mr Byles, the trio say: "In short, we are dismayed that the county council now looks to be embarking on a course of action which will involve substantial cost to council taxpayers in order to sell a pre-determined structure that has not been arrived at by the democratic means which could be expected for such a significant potential development."

They want Mr Byles to intervene and ensure that any decisions of this magnitude are fully debated.